Help identifying what's causing small rooster tail

[wTheOnew]

Near the starboard side pump there's something kicking up spray. Picture below of what I'm talking about. Kind of hard to tell in the picture but it's basically a rooster tail about 4-5ft tall. The boat is weighted pretty evenly when the picture was taken. Looks like it starts just under the starboard side of the ladder, or maybe a tad outboard of that. With the boat out of the water I don't see anything obviously different on that side compared to the other. Really only happens between 10-30 mph, so a little hard to see what's going on when it's actually happening. Or, am I just being paranoid?

 

[Julian]

Have you installed a depthfinder transducer?

 

[BigAbe75]

Next time on trailer, put in forward and see if both gates go up the same distance. I wonder if you have one side not going up far enough.

 

[Jameson Clark]

I started having a small rooster tail like that when I added my cobra steering.

 

[wTheOnew]

Have you installed a depthfinder transducer?

No, bone stock other than a keel guard, but it was doing this before that was installed.

Next time on trailer, put in forward and see if both gates go up the same distance. I wonder if you have one side not going up far enough.

Well now that seems obvious to look at doesn't it I've only ever looked at them in neutral.

 

[motomandan]

Near the starboard side pump there's something kicking up spray. Picture below of what I'm talking about. Kind of hard to tell in the picture but it's basically a rooster tail about 4-5ft tall. The boat is weighted pretty evenly when the picture was taken. Looks like it starts just under the starboard side of the ladder, or maybe a tad outboard of that. With the boat out of the water I don't see anything obviously different on that side compared to the other. Really only happens between 10-30 mph, so a little hard to see what's going on when it's actually happening. Or, am I just being paranoid?

View attachment 118910

Factory Paddle wheel for the speedo

 

[Jameson Clark]

Factory Paddle wheel for the speedo

That one shouldn't have a paddle wheel. Should be a GPS speedo.

 

[Scottintexas]

Personally i would grab that boarding handle real tight and lean over and take a look, next, I'd get the go pro or water proof phone to get a video

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I believe all the 21 foot boats that year have the surf point looks like that may be the cause, better to get rid of it, if you do have it just get your nozzles aligned properly .

Near the starboard side pump there's something kicking up spray. Picture below of what I'm talking about. Kind of hard to tell in the picture but it's basically a rooster tail about 4-5ft tall. The boat is weighted pretty evenly when the picture was taken. Looks like it starts just under the starboard side of the ladder, or maybe a tad outboard of that. With the boat out of the water I don't see anything obviously different on that side compared to the other. Really only happens between 10-30 mph, so a little hard to see what's going on when it's actually happening. Or, am I just being paranoid?

View attachment 118910

 

[wTheOnew]

Doesn't look like mine has surf point. The nozzles are perfectly straight and in line with each other in this picture. Laid a level across the face and both sides of both nozzles touch the level at the same time. The gates are within 1/8" of each other over the full travel, so close enough I assume. BUT, I do believe that the keel isn't supposed to be way the hell off to starboard when the nozzles are centered.

 

[Scottintexas]

I do believe that the keel isn't supposed to be way the hell off to starboard when the nozzles are centered.

That's an "articulating" keel sir, it's articulating,

I would agree that should be straight and move with the pumps, does it have any play in it ?

 

[wTheOnew]

There's not some torque reason or something for it to be aligned differently than the nozzles is there?

That's an "articulating" keel sir, it's articulating,

I would agree that should be straight and move with the pumps, does it have any play in it ?

No play between the keel and nozzle. Lock nuts are nice and tight. No abnormal play in the joints.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Doesn't look like mine has surf point. The nozzles are perfectly straight and in line with each other in this picture. Laid a level across the face and both sides of both nozzles touch the level at the same time. The gates are within 1/8" of each other over the full travel, so close enough I assume. BUT, I do believe that the keel isn't supposed to be way the hell off to starboard when the nozzles are centered. Keep in mind the top 1/3 of your rudder is actually out of the water when the boat is on plane as are both nozzles.

View attachment 118959

I noticed that right away in the picture your tie rod needs to be readjusted so the rudder is at a 90 degree angle with the back of the boat when the nozzles are straight and the steering wheel is dead center

 

[Jameson Clark]

Doesn't look like mine has surf point. The nozzles are perfectly straight and in line with each other in this picture. Laid a level across the face and both sides of both nozzles touch the level at the same time. The gates are within 1/8" of each other over the full travel, so close enough I assume. BUT, I do believe that the keel isn't supposed to be way the hell off to starboard when the nozzles are centered.

View attachment 118959

That is definitely the cause of your spray! Get that aligned with the pumps and you'll be set!

 

[wTheOnew]

Got the keel aligned with the nozzles and didn't notice any spay. Was a really choppy day, so I won't know for sure until I get a better day on the lake, but so far it looks like that was the issue.