Vibration on acceleration?

mgrab915 · Criminal Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 58 City: Richmond

Hello, I finally got my boat and everything is in working order and I couldn't be more impressed with the performance, but yesterday it was running smooth for most of the day untill i filled the ballast and then I was getting some serious low frequecy vibration through the wheel on acceleration until i reached plane and backed off the throttle and well really the whole boat was vibrating. I have to take it back to the dealer for its 10-20hr. service but it only has 5 hrs. on it and I am hoping that the shaft isn't out of alignment. I was just wondering if anyone had some input or maybe has run into this before and could clue me in. I don't want to do any serious damage to the boat, and the dealer is 100 miles away. My knowlege is limited so any information would be greatly appriciated

Thanks for your time!

mgrab915 · Criminal Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 58 City: Richmond

By the way it is a 05' Wakesetter VLX

jvanick · Posted: Apr 07, 2005 4:42 am Post subject:

you might have hit something and dinged the prop just a bit...

but if it's only got 5 hours on it, it's possible the engine got slightly out of alignment.

Does it vibrate when you're on plane?

My 99 VLX has a low frequency vibration that feels like it starts at the front of the boat and runs to the back of the boat on take off... after you hit about 15 or so, it goes away.

-J

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

Make sure that the prop is fully seated on the shaft, sometimes they pop loose and will vibrate. It will still be held on by the prop nut and the key will make it turn, but it will vibrate like a mofo.

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

I'd call your dealer and talk to their service department first. They can probably tell you. But it definitely sounds like something is either lose or out of alignment.

I don't think this makes a difference, but a friend of mine bought a new Supra and they told him to wait till the boat had 10 hours on it before filling up the ballast and pulling riders. It's probably a precautionary to make sure the engine isn't overloaded during the break-in period. You may just want to take it out next time and drive around the lake to get to your 10 hour mark and then take it back to the dealer.

McFly · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 210 City: Edmond

A lot of times, it is the rack and pinion steering vibrating. I am not sure if Malibu is using R&P this year, but a lot of wakeboard manufacturers do. When the boat is loaded with ballast, there is some vibration under the dash in the steering column upon take of if the rudder is not turned perfectly straight. If the rudder is turned a little bit at take off, the prop forces an incredible amount of water across the rudder when you take off, thus causing a vibration from the rudder, thru the steering cable and finally into the rack under the dash. The vibration usually goes away when the rudder is turned straight, or when the boat is on plane.

This usually only happens when the boat is loaded with ballast or a lot of people.

For sure check with your dealer, but it sounds to me like it is just the rack and pinion.

Thanks!

McFly
Waterski Boats Dallas

Broccoli B · Posted: Apr 07, 2005 10:20 am Post subject:

McFly, My 04 moomba does that exact thing, and i determined just what you said.

Mr. Mutt · Posted: Apr 07, 2005 11:17 am Post subject:

That happened to me after we scrapped ground a bit, scratched the prop, and bent the strut. Shook like a mo-fo above about 2500 RPM. Sounds like an alignment or prop issue.

mgrab915 · Criminal Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Posts: 58 City: Richmond

Hey Thanks for all your help. The vibration stops after the boat planes. It sounds exactly like the Rack and Pinion vibration that McFly was talking about. and I am 99.9% sure i didnt hit anything. The water I was running in was at least 18ft. deep and there was no debris in on the surface. but i will take a look at the prop. Should I keep it out of the water until i get it check by a tech?

Again Thanks for the help...

McFly · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 210 City: Edmond

I would call your local dealer and ask them if they have the Rack and Pinion vibration as a common question. We get it all the time up here.

Just give them a call and see whats up. Hopefully that is all it is. The way you describe it, it sounds to me like its just the R&P, not a shaft or a prop.

McFly
Waterski Boats Dallas

SuPrA*bOaTs · Criminal Joined: 06 Nov 2004 Posts: 77 City: Kelowna

prop could be bent and by looking at it you wouldn't be able to tell. take it in to the prop shop and get them to take a look at it.