Posted: October 03 2006 at 23:18 | IP Logged

Hi,

I own a 1984 26 foot Carver flybridge cruiser, with a single 260 HP Volvo and an 8 foot beam.  My problem is turning this boat.  Once I get up to any significant speed and try to turn the boat in anything but a VERY gradual turn, the boat leans not INTO the turn like most other boats I have owned, but to the outside of the turn, which makes most passengers very uncomfortable.  I have tried loading up ona all the gas and water she will take (146 gallons) to increase ballast, in the hopes this will keep her a little more upright when turning, but this has not worked either.  Any suggestions to overcome this problem?

Thanks!

Posted: October 23 2006 at 05:36 | IP Logged

Hi Tom,

I own a 1986 26 foot Santa Cruz, which I assume is the same as or similar to what you are describing.  I've only owned the boat for about a season and a half (we live up north so only have the summer season).  I experienced two occasions where, for reasons I was not able to learn, the boat pitched the wrong way while initiating gentle turns.  My first and really only idea was to check out the trim tabs, which included a visual check to make sure both tabs were fully in the neutral position.  I did find that having the water tank full has helped with steering and balance, but for whatever reason, after those two incidents that occurred on the same day, the boat has handled fine.  Bottom line - I would recommend that you make sure the trim tabs are working properly.

Berwyn

Posted: August 24 2009 at 16:22 | IP Logged

I've  had the exact same experience and want to solve it the way you did.  What particular model did you get?  Is that the 28 Santa Cruz?  or the 2808?

Posted: August 31 2009 at 15:08 | IP Logged

I too recently purchased an '86 Carver Flybridge and the same happens when underway. In fact, just this past Saturday I thought we were actually going to capsize it healed so far over. I quickly pulled back on the throttle and I think it actually made it worse. Spilled my coke all over and dumped the cabin, too.

It's not only from the flybridge, this has happens, but from the lower station, also, but not as severe.

So what causes this? Is it a defect in the hull design? The hull doesn't seem to be a bad shape, it's a sleek Deep V.

Someone has to have some answer.....

I'm tempted to sell/trade her off for a Bayliner Discovery 288, but I really like the classic Carver look.

Posted: August 31 2009 at 16:49 | IP Logged

I also enojy the classic look.  However, I'm convinced that this roll tendancy is a function of the beam of the boat.  I don't know how the chines are on the Carver but I have square chines on my Sea Ray Sedan Bridge and I have the same tippiness issues.  It's worse when the flybridge is occupied as that increase the weight out on the end of the moment arm.  But, any weight shift is noticable, even that of less substantial opccupants.  I also know that when on plane, the boat is VERY sensitive to tab changes.  I've learned to steer into the roll as the best way to counteract the momentum.  Slowing down abruptly only seems to exacerbate the situation in the short term.

I think the answer is to just get one with a 9'6" beam or bigger.   Kind of cuts out the trailering aspect but I think this is why you just don't see many 8' beam larger boats.