X-9 or X-7 water over the bow

[curtish]

Anybody else have any problems taking waves over the bow of your X-9 or X-7? We have an '01 X-9 and the bow is almost unusable for seating. Very difficult to drive with two adults in the bow without taking on a wave here and there. We end up not using the open bow much because of this (apart from the kids). Anybody else have this problem? I consider myself pretty skilled at driving but it still happens from time to time.

[Lars]

I've got the 197 and same thing over here. Filled up the walking space with water - slow to drain with the carpet restricting it. I warn people when they go up there they may get wet.

[curtish]

Think it is harming anything? I kinda think that with a modern boat with 0 wood, it is not a big deal in terms of damaging the boat. I just figure it cleans out the carpet. =) Although we had an incident last year where I was boarding and my father-in-law took a wave (boat was not moving) over the windshield. I was laughing my butt off, but he was freaked out. Knocked his sunglasses off his head. I might not have been laughing had I been in the boat, and it did take about 5 minutes to pump out all the water. Will never forget seeing the water going over the windshield. Crazy.

[smoketu]

I have a 2004 X-9 and have taken a couple of rollers of the bow. It doesn't help I run an integrated bow sack under the cushions about 650 lbs and a 750 lb sack in front of the pylon. You just learn real quick how to navigate turns and rollers. We've got it where you just throw it in neutral and roll over or take it to the side. I think our worst experience was taking a set of rollers by a cabin cruiser head on at low speed, ended up with about 6-8 inches of water up front. I can't top the windshield though.

[JohnE]

Yes, have the same 'problem' with my X14, but that is the nature of the boats we are using.

[Double D]

I have a PS 205 open bow and I bet its a similar match. I have taken water over the bow the first year (2001) but have not had that happen since then. (Knock on wood) I pay attention to the environment and the situations. It all depends on the condition of the lake.

For example, I can have teenage kids in the front in inland lake waves but I am always under power and if I have to go through a small no-wake (under a bridge) I keep it under some power to keep the nose up a few inches. Anytime I do a return on a skier, I stop straight slowly as to not dive the nose (no power-turns), turn 180 and either power back through the waves or parallel the waves.

Last Saturday I did have two big humans in the front for a while but it was through all no wake through a housing area and there was no threat of big waves. I also kept the teenagers in the back to help balance.

So, I guess you need to manage the weight and work with your surroundings. IMO

[ProTour X9]

Dont take the waves head on at idle.

[yippikaiyay]

It comes with the territory with a direct drive, and especially with the dropped bow of the 197. I always keep my eyes open for big rollers!

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Originally Posted by Double D

I have a PS 205 open bow and I bet its a similar match. I have taken water over the bow the first year (2001) but have not had that happen since then. (Knock on wood) I pay attention to the environment and the situations. It all depends on the condition of the lake.

For example, I can have teenage kids in the front in inland lake waves but I am always under power and if I have to go through a small no-wake (under a bridge) I keep it under some power to keep the nose up a few inches. Anytime I do a return on a skier, I stop straight slowly as to not dive the nose (no power-turns), turn 180 and either power back through the waves or parallel the waves.

Last Saturday I did have two big humans in the front for a while but it was through all no wake through a housing area and there was no threat of big waves. I also kept the teenagers in the back to help balance.

So, I guess you need to manage the weight and work with your surroundings. IMO

This says it all.

[east tx skier]

A small application of power at the right moment (if feasible and safe) will help avoid taking a roller into the bow seating. Every boat is different though and will require a different level of finesse to achieve this. As has been mentioned, it's the nature of the beast and can happen to any of us when we take rollers at idle head on. With my old 205 and my current boat, it takes just a little bit of throttle to get the nose up enough to overcome this. Alternatively, you can turn the nose away from the rollers if feasible and safe to do so. I have driven newer MCs and have not had this problem, but it may require adjusted techniques for the newer boats.