1986 Malibu Skier Porpoises at high speeds: help!

Scott Lanker · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Posts: 2

I have a 1986 Malibu Skier. I have been very impressed with the boat in general, but it has a terrible problem of porpoising as the speed increases, especially when there is weight on the back, such as a full tank of gas or people sitting in the back seat. The problem is so pronounced that I really can't go over about 25 mph with anyone sitting in the back seat, because the nose starts bouncing up and down and the oscillations increase with every bounce. I tried putting about 200 lbs worth of sand bags in the nose, which helped a little, but that causes the nose to ride too low in the water at idle, and there has to be a better way to fix this. I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem, and if so, what can be done about it? (besides getting a new boat: I wish that was an option, but not at the moment!)

Thanks for the help everyone,
Scott

dizzyj · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 City: Austin, Tx

I certainly hope this isnt the case, but I've heard that if you have some rot in your stringers, your boat will porpoise.

My 82 porpoised some, and when I rebuilt the transmission I found some rot in the drivers side stringer at the rear engine mount. I drilled out all the rot, injected the remaining wood with some wood rot b gone epoxy, then filled in that part of the stringer with epoxy resin. The boat doesnt porpoise anymore.

pull out a bolt at each of the engine mounts and make sure the wood there is nice and clean.

mykwillis · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 105 City: garland, tx.

a malibu skier is a closed bow right?

mainelaker · Posted: Jul 29, 2003 1:36 am Post subject:

is there an adjustable wake plate? if so start there

Scott Lanker · Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Posts: 2

Yes, it is a closed bow.....

mykwillis · Outlaw Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 105 City: garland, tx.

i wouldn't worry about it to much. since it is closed bow there is never any weight in the front. the weight in the back is what makes it porpus. if you put a fat sac or something under the bow it would help alot.

my boat is a closed bow and when i open up the throttle it porpus's but i never need to full throttle it so it dosen't bother me. hope this helps.