How to use throttle to control porpoising

[Wyatt Taylor]

Can anyone explain to me how to use the throttle to control porpoising?

I just bought a '91 Kaw 440 stand up a few weeks ago, it looks new. I've
never ridden a stand up before but got the hang of it (about the 3rd trip to
the lake). Did some research on the web and figured out I needed an intake
grate and ride plate; bought those and installed them.

The pump seems to work better now, especially if the water is choppy. The
ride plate makes the turns a lot sharper.

However..... I still get a porpoising action. If I get off the throttle and
slow down it stops... but back on it and there it goes again. I can put one
foot all the way up front and shift a lot of weight up there.... but that
doesn't seem like the answer.

If I kneel on the ski and lean foward over the pole... I can run it wide
open, except... that's not standing up! I'm also thinking the ski is a
little underpowered, I weigh about 205.

Read somewhere in the NG archives on Dejanews that using the throttle was
the real technique, except I seem to make it worse. What am I doing wrong?

[David B. Thomas]

Actually positioning your weight forward is the key. Your left foot
should be all the way forward with a slight lean of your upper body over
the bars. You can also add a couple of washers to the rear bolts of
the ride plate (between plate and hull). This will force the nose down.

Dave

--
David B. Thomas (jets...@blewbyyou.net)
Blew-By-You Personal Watercraft Services
93-A Pine Burr Rd. Lumberton, MS 39455
(601) 796-2033 http://www.blewbyyou.net

[Tom Howlin]

Wyatt,

I too am a "newbie" to standups and weight more than you (230) and am on the
newer hull style but still get the hop. Based on suggestions from Dan Depardo,
I shimmed the ride plate down, which helped. However, it is still a technique
issue with weight transfer and speed. The rideplate doesn't have much of an
effect until you get to speed and modulating the throttle seems to exacerbate
the situation for me. I find that weight transfer forward is the only thing
that really makes a difference for someone my size. My wife can ride it in any
position she wants (120lbs) but, since I've never seen 120lbs, I just have to
live with getting myself forward. Some have recommended a shortened handlepole
since I'm 6'2" and that would allow more forward lean but there are expensive
and will have to wait. You already have my admiration if you can ride a 440 - I
couldn't even get up on the older hull styles.

Tom

[buck183]

Actually left or right foot all the way forward. Some people are more
comfortable riding with a different foot forward then others.

Buck
#183
"David B. Thomas" <jets...@blewbyyou.net> wrote in message
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[Wyatt Taylor]

I went to the lake today... took David's advice. I found out that I could
control it by putting one foot all the way foward, touching the panel in
front of the choke.. If it starts to porpoise, I shift foward... I'm up on
my toes on the back foot. Stops it immediately. I haven't shimmed the ride
plate yet... I don't think I'll need to.

Part of the technique is to have your legs bent. The ski is going to jump up
and down, a little, over waves. If you let your upper body "float" and let
your legs move up and down, as the ski moves up and down....... you can be
stable. Like shock absorbers on a car.

I'm really starting to enjoy my ski!! Since I got the porpoising under
control, now I'm working on turning.... I did a lot of practice today... it
was a blast.

Except I need more power. The 440 just doesn't have enough for my weight. I
found a 550 for sale close, I may just buy it.

"Tom Howlin" <tom...@erols.com> wrote in message
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