Does low fuel cause my SN to be less stable?

[anthony_]

Towards the end of my riding today my squarenose seemed a little less responsive and it wasn't quite as easy for me to recover or get back on plane when I started to go sideways.

In the past I've just attributed to me being worn out and having less energy/strength to pull the ski back on plane, but today I was pretty fresh after a long break and it didn't seem to jump out of the water at the end of the day with less than 1/4 of gas left the way it did earlier in the day on a full tank.

So, I'm wondering if the front end being lighter with less gas causes the ski to do the things I discribed at the end of the day when it didn't seem like it was doing it at the beginning. Or maybe it's something else.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

 

[Etheraldreamer]

did you feel it hesitate like the fuel was splashing around away from the pickup or was it still smooth power just less of it?

 

[Borderguy]

Towards the end of my riding today my squarenose seemed a little less responsive and it wasn't quite as easy for me to recover or get back on plane when I started to go sideways.

In the past I've just attributed to me being worn out and having less energy/strength to pull the ski back on plane, but today I was pretty fresh after a long break and it didn't seem to jump out of the water at the end of the day with less than 1/4 of gas left the way it did earlier in the day on a full tank.

So, I'm wondering if the front end being lighter with less gas causes the ski to do the things I discribed at the end of the day when it didn't seem like it was doing it at the beginning. Or maybe it's something else.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

I have noticed that happens to me with my RN as well. I attribute it to the fuel sloshing around. I ususally take that as i sign to start heading back so i dont run out since i ride a few miles away from the launch usually.

 

[anthony_]

did you feel it hesitate like the fuel was splashing around away from the pickup or was it still smooth power just less of it?

yeah, i little bit. But mainly it just started to feel like I didn't have quite as much control of the ski. Nothing massive, but it felt more tipsy. Easier to get off plane.

 

[anthony_]

I have noticed that happens to me with my RN as well. I attribute it to the fuel sloshing around. I ususally take that as i sign to start heading back so i dont run out since i ride a few miles away from the launch usually.

yeah, me too. When it started doing that I was like, "Okay, enough of this I might as well call it a day." Which is hard some times.

 

[Borderguy]

yeah, me too. When it started doing that I was like, "Okay, enough of this I might as well call it a day." Which is hard some times.

yeah, but i bring my can with me so i can fill her back up if i want and go back out.

 

[ger87410]

The only time I've experienced that on my stock SN is when I really was almost completely empty.

Otherwise, no.

 

[anthony_]

it's probably just a low gas issue. not sure what else it could be.

THANKS!

 

[BruceSki]

if you are running buoys it will handle much better with a full tank of gas for sure. once it start getting low it make it more difficult to stick into the turns.

 

[ger87410]

if you are running buoys it will handle much better with a full tank of gas for sure. once it start getting low it make it more difficult to stick into the turns.

Can this be overcome by shifting your balance forward in the tray along with pushing your pole down in the turn?

I definitely notice a difference in turning when I push down on the pole.

 

[BruceSki]

yes your body positioning will fix it.

im just saying its easier to get around a course with a nose heavy ski.


why do you think the racers add lead weight under the tank?

 

[OCD Solutions]

My SN was waterlogged and I had to keep my tank full at all times to keep the nose down. You can correct with body positioning but I found it easier to keep the tank full.

It improved greatly after I refoamed. It is still noticeable and It's a good way to know how your fuel level is doing.