Handling issue?

[bbar]

Hi, took my first ride in my first rib so have a couple questions about how they handle. Mine is a Nautica rib jet 10 (10 ft and jet powered).

2 things surprised me: 1- when I turned the steering wheel to put it into a turn(at moderate speed) it took 2-3 seconds to respond. My 27 ft. single inboard cabin cruiser responds better than that. Is this normal for ribs?

2- When it did start to turn (lets say left), it skids ( which I'm used to with my jet ski) but then all of a sudden, it will bite (or plant, or stick) and almost throw me off the right side of the boat ( towards the outside of the turn). Now I know why there is a kill lanyard on it. Is this normal for ribs?

If these are normal, please tell me how I modify the boat and/or adjust my driving to eliminate this, so that I don't get thrown off or hit something that I'm trying to get out of the way of.

thank you.

[boristhebold]

Yes sounds normal, the thing you have to remember is its a water jet powered boat which has different handling dynamics than a normal boat with a prop etc, so you have to helm it differently. Putting it in very simple terms the direction of the jet will make it turn but if going slow or moderate it wont turn as a normal prop boat will, you kind of need the thrust for the turn, yes it will slide and if going at speed and then dropping the power and trying to turn then it wont turn very well at all, many have had collisions on water jet type of craft.

My advice would be read up on how to operate a water jet craft and then perhaps get some lessons or go somewhere where no one else is around and practice, practice, practice, it will take some time to get used to it.

[boristhebold]

My above post, I meant yes sounds normal for anything water jet powered specificaly, that statement doesn't apply to normal prop powered ribs as its not applicable, the point is water jet powered rather than normal prop powered.