Hello fellow Dyners, I just want to say I think this site is incredible. It's nice to know there are so many other Hydrodyne owners out there that have the same passion for these boats as I do. I had just purchased a 1969 18' that needs some work. The engine runs great (1989 Evinrude-XP 175 horse) and the boat is in good enough condition to use for the summer. I do however have a couple of questions that I hope someone can answer. My boat starts to pourpose (I hope I spelled that right) with or without a Skier at higher speeds. I hope it's just a front weight issue that I can solve with the help of sand bags but someone I had talked to said it could be a stringer issue as well. If you have any ideas, please reply. I also have no tracking fin on the bottom of the boat. Is that a big deal or not? I'm looking forward to the responses to these questions and to talking to fellow Dyners on this site. Happy Boating!
I think we can rule out the stringers. I believe your boat does not have them. If it has stringers, it has a raised flat floor. I think the stringer boats were in the early 70's, but I have been wrong before. jim
It shouldn't have stringers. Tom told me they started putting stringers in the boats in 73'. You could have a floor issue though depending on how your trailer supports your boat or if your floor is wet. I've seen a 69' that had all the balsa rotted in the floor that drove weird.
Thanks for the replies to my questions. Yes my boat has power trim. Right now the boat is on a roller trailer and it looks like it's supported pretty well. I haven't taken a closer look at the floor yet but I believe your correct that the boat has no stringers. Could this be as simple as replacing the floor? or is the balsa in a different place like underneath the floor. I was told that the floor had been replaced before but it hasn't been for quite some time now. I'm hoping it's just a matter of adding bow weight. One other thing, the motor has a whale-tail on it. Could that cause the problem? About the fin on the bottom of the boat, I'm sure I can get one somewhere but do I really need it? Looking forward to some answers. Happy Boating!
Footer, If there is a floor in your boat it should not effect the performance. I would remove the whale tail. I would check that the down trim limit pin (if it has one) is allowing full down trim. If that does not do it, I would install a wedge. Here is a link to the wedge discussion: http://www.hydrodyners.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=820 Weight in the front should not be necessary. If the fuel tank is not in the front, moving it to the front will be a significant help. The boat will slide less and track better with a tracking fin. If the handling suits you, you don't need it. Contact Tom Miller for a fin and talk to him about installing it. Make sure you tell him that the boat is a 69. His contact info is in the Tom Miller boat section. He built your boat. If you want to check the hull for water intrusion, try tapping on the outside of it and listen for dead sounding spots. The butt end of a wood handle hammer works well for this. (The wooden end). Also look for cracks around the keel. Please get that boat off of the rollers. They are hard on the hull. You should be able to remove the rollers and install carpeted bunks without much trouble. I hope this helps, jim
GaDyne, I just realized that it looks like I contradicted you. That was not my intention. I think we are talking about the same thing when I say hull and you say floor. ?? jim
Jim, I'm going to look at everything you suggested. I think those are all great ideas. "Not too worry" I plan to put bunks on the trailer as soon as I get the chance. Trust me, it's not just the support issue I'm worried about but being one of the only people with a great ski boat that has to "CRANK" the boat onto the trailer. Not to mention the looks I get from other Skiers as there waiting to put their boat in the water and I'm taking forever too take mine out. I just don't feel right taking up peoples time that want to do the same thing I love too do "SKI". Happy Boating! Footer.
