Vibration - 260DA

E

emlevins

New Member
Sep 27, 2009
77
Lake Erie
Boat Info
2000 260DA
Engines
7.4 w/Bravo III
During the seatrial with the 260DA I just purchased, there was a vibration during planing. It was eliminated with a slight adjustment of the trim tabs. The surveyor intimated that it was normal - and in fact prompted me to adjust the tabs each time I took her to plane - and the vibration was eliminated each time.

I never experienced this with my 23' Seaswirl (i.e. I never had to adjust tabs to eliminate vibration when getting on plane - there just was never any vibration).

Is this normal? If so - is there a way to preempt or prevent the vibration?

Thanks all...
 
Check the prop and have the drive pulled and alignment checked. Might be minor, or could be signs of a future repair. Coupler would be a concern.
 
I have at random vibration at times at the stern drive when planing also. Happens when I power trim the drive out or in sometimes. Changing the drive trim makes the vibration go away. :smt101

I was once told by a seasoned boat hauler that it is the U-Joints position change during power trim and the "knuckles" fighting in certain positions. :huh:

Doesn't seem to hurt anything as the drive has been pulled three times with no problems noted.
 
First off, you need to understand the quirks of the newer 260DA and the use of trim tabs and outdrive trim or you will be right back here telling us all about the "other" problems you are having.

As far as vibration goes, having the out drive at the wrong trim angle will also cause vibration. The 260DA requires a fair amount of outdrive trim while on plane or you will always feel vibration.

And do yourself a favor and please read this thread. http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21656 You can find other threads on this same subject using the SEARCH feature as well.

Dave
 
Dave S - I did myself a favor - as you suggested - and RE-read that thread (since I had read it previously) - but it seems to largely apply to newer models (05 and beyond). I have a 2000 model year.

EDIT - sorry - should have mentioned the model year in the initial post.
 
Last edited:
dsteele1 said:
I have at random vibration at times at the stern drive when planing also. Happens when I power trim the drive out or in sometimes. Changing the drive trim makes the vibration go away. :smt101

I was once told by a seasoned boat hauler that it is the U-Joints position change during power trim and the "knuckles" fighting in certain positions. :huh:

Doesn't seem to hurt anything as the drive has been pulled three times with no problems noted.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I experienced and exactly the explanation the surveyor provided me with. The drive has been pulled and serviced as part of the winterization process and everything checked out. In particular they mentioned checking the U joint and gimball bearing - though it was a deluxe drive service that included a whole list of things - and everything was in good shape.
 
Update your profile so everyone knows what you have now.
 
I have an '03 and with it trimmed all the way down I get a slight vibration, nothing show stopping, trim up a little, and it's gone. seems pretty normal. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
ultratiger89 said:
I have an '03 and with it trimmed all the way down I get a slight vibration, nothing show stopping, trim up a little, and it's gone. seems pretty normal. I wouldn't worry about it.
Click to expand...

Yes - a slight trim adjustment eliminated it - and like you say - it was not show stopping. I won't worry about it....until the spring anyway :wink:

Thanks all.
 
Mine does it also, the outdrive trim will smooth it out. No issues noted during the outdrive service either.
 
If you can "fix" it with a trim adjustment, I suspect you are dealing with a high torque engine and a prop with a lot of pitch that results in the prop ventilating a little when the trim is not right. THere isn't anything wrong with the boat. It is just a product of the hull from or shape and the engine drive configuration.

As far a vibration from u-joints "fighting", that one is horse hockey, unless your outdrive is above its trim stop and in the trailering positiion. Does your car or truck vibrate when you go over a bump?.........its got 2 u-joints just like your outdrive does.
 
Frank is absolutely right on the u-joint. If the u-joint has a problem with alignment then either gimbal bearing, or coupler is shot. Neither of those would go away after trimming. The coupler rumble would be there all the time, and a bad gimbal bearing would really make itself known every time you executed a turn at anything above no wake speed. A bad u-joint would of course be there all the time as well.

Henry
 
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