Cruise control experiences and questions...

[IDBoating]

Until today, we had only surfed on the port side and cruise control was great. Today we tried starboard, and the cruise control seemed to "hunt" a bit. Engine RPM's would vary back and forth, speed varied along with it, etc.

I presume this is because the speed sensor (triducer) is not oriented the same when surfing starboard. The deadrise angle of the hull is different, probably almost like having a flat hull given the tilt caused by the ballast.

I was surprised by this. Since all of my thruhull intakes are on the side opposite the triducer (to prevent precisely this interaction), I didn't expect any problems and indeed don't have any when tilted left. But tilting right - which ironically buries the triducer in deeper water! - causes hunting.

Anyone else experience this?

[mls6722]

I notice a large variation in speed with surfers using the rope. Once they drop the rope - speed control if fairly steady on both sides.

[IDBoating]

I notice a large variation in speed with surfers using the rope. Once they drop the rope - speed control if fairly steady on both sides.

THAT's interesting. I wonder why? Doesn't seem possible that they could change the orientation of the boat enough to change how the sensor is behaving.

Next time we're on the starboard side, I'll have someone drop the rope to see if we have the same effect. No goofy-footers in our crowd are yet good enough to drop the rope under normal circumstances. {grin}

[mls6722]

It seems the variation is the rider pulling then letting off the tension in the rope. It's a big heavy boat, but you can definitely feel the pull bogging down the boat.