9 replies to this topic

[dax_Thornhill]

I purchased a 210se 430hp (2010 model) this weekend.

Comming out of a stern drive, I love the improved hole shot and tight conering!

However, I am struggling to dock. I can position the boat correctly, but as soon as I want to get the boat stationary, the rear starts to pull out, and if I don't correct quickly, I do a 360.

Is something wrong with my boat. Shouldn't neatral keep me in one spot? Am I just a bad driver, or something wrong with my boat?

[hwkeye1911]

Unfortunitly neutral is something that doesn't really exist on our boats, it's must more of a really slow forward movement. I thought the same thing when I got into the world of jet boats but because your impeller is constantly spinning and moving water you will always expierence some sort of movement. Best advice, practice practice practice, took us a full summer of playing with it but we don't even notice it anymore. Have fun!

[dax_Thornhill]

Thanks for the input.

Does your boats stern track sideway in neutral, depending on the position of the steering, and does your stearing center natuarally?

Yesterday I untied my boat and pushed out of dock. I was half way out when I started the engines, and I didn't notice my steering was almost full lock to one side (kids playing).... Within seconds I had spun out and slamed into the boat next to me (all while in neuteral).

If this normal, it means I should never start the boat while not at the helm (I.e. Warm up while I untie) and make sure the wheel is 100 percent centered before starting.

[hwkeye1911]

You are correct, if there is no one at the helm she needs to stay off. All of our boats handle neutral a bit differently depending on the lift gate adjustment, mine is a very slow creep forward, but if I was tied up at only one point it would definitely swing it right around. I just consider the slow crawl out of the no-wake zone my warmup before playing for the day. My steering centers just fine when at speed, but you will find that it takes some getting used to at very slow speeds, lots of full turns on the steering wheel just to hold it straight against any current or wake. I know my boat came with docking mode, which just limits the rpm's of the engine preventing you from panic throttling and making a having a very bad day.

[biffdotorg]

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[biffdotorg]

Hwkeye has it nailed down.

Each boat is a bit different, but he is right. If there is nobody at the helm, that engine should be off. If you want it to sit still with the engine on, you will play a little game with the F-N-R lever to keep it still. It can be done, but someone needs to be working it constantly to make it happen.

Good luck with the practice. Find an object in open water and work your boat around it. Throw a big beach ball out and try maneuvering around it at idle speed. It will be great practice for you when you go into dock. Most have found the ability to pull safe 180's and side moves in tight spaces once you know the limitations of the boat.

Have fun!

[davo]

The trick I used to train my wife was out in the open throw a life jacket in. Practice so they can get the boat close & gently swing the tail in a position so the jacket can be picked up easily. If you can do this docking is easy. When launching out of dock, push the boat away from the dock, steering wheel in centre, start her up & immediately go forward on the shift, or on the c210 give it a little thrust. This will give it inertia to align the hull & pull away nicely.
cheers

[DDR]

If the photos don't show, try http://seadoosportbo...10hp-pet-peeve/

Hi Folks,
As you have found, there is no real neutral with these boats.
I had my dealer fix the forward creep under warranty after I bought the boat. And, yes there is an adjustment you can make. The mechanic showed me the adjuster that will lower/raise the gate. Take out the pin and turn it a bit. Insert the pin and check it out. Readjust until there is no creep in either direction. I believe there is probably some measurement/method that can be done on the gate to get it close to begin with, but I haven't seen that yet.
By the way, my dealer didn't get it perfect either.
I would like to learn more about the neutral lock on the newer boats. I figured it would just clamp/lock the steering wheel in the straight ahead position so the boat didn't just spin in circles. That is always fun when hanging or removing fenders. Does it work some other way?

Dave

I see that my pics didn't show.
Try this link for the adjustment procedure.

http://seadoosportboats.com/topic/2942-230-challenger-510hp-pet-peeve/#entry22266

[Cam]

While I find that neutral on this boat (when properly adjusted) is much "more neutral" than my previous seadoo (utopia)...It is still a real trick to get it away from the dock after having not piloted it for a while. After being on the lake for a day, I could thread this boat through a needle. Double check that the gate is adjusted properly and then just toy around with fine movements. This boat will almost go directly sideways with proper shifting from forward to reverse.

[Ben Brainis]

Try using just one of two engines when launching. Use the engine on the opposite side that you intend to launch or pull up from, i.e. if you are launching with the boat moored on the left hand side, turn on only the right side engine.