Test your CC/SN knowledge

Recently purchased a 1999 CC/SN 196 closed bow with THE python engine. From what I’ve read/been told a SN 196 with a Python is rare.

The Issue

My boat list/leans to Starboard/right side, you can feel the weight in the boat. Pure guess I would say ~150 +pounds.   
I had a technician go through the boat rip up the floorboards and check the stringers, water, etc.. Everything a okay so no issue “under the hood”.

Explanation

Unique to this boat and Python engine. CC put in a counter weight in the boat to counter the effects/power from the Python Engine and LH rotation. I am not an engineer but if they needed a fixed weight on the starboard side pretty sure they would have variety of Driver weights weighing from 150-300pds any given day.

Questions

Is this true ? If so, can it be removed ?
If not true, any other explanation?

Appreciate the insights guys

Who told you there's a counterweight?

I don't recall a starboard lean. It would be to combat the RH prop though, not the LH motor. Python props weren't any larger in diameter (13-14") than typical ski nautique props of the 90+ era so I'm not buying the explanation at face value.

The technician told me the only explaination he could come up with his a counter weight to comebat the power from the engine.

Sorry I could have gotten the RH and Lh pull wrong. I just assumed since the boat pulls to the left in reverse is was a Lh rotation. I am newbie so not sure

All 99 (and the vast majority of all 89+) direct drives have the 1.23 trans, which allows a LH engine to turn a RH prop. Sounds like both of you are a little confused on your rotation conventions.

I wouldn't put a dime of confidence in an inspector's guess about counterweight unless he either 1) could show you the weight or 2) had highly specific correct craft knowledge that eclipses that on this site... Which I wouldn't be holding my breath for!

Thanks for all the replies guys,thanks for clearing up the rotation but don't want to lose sight of my original question.

Does anyone know of CC putting weights in the boat equipped with the Python engine ?

I knew this would be hard one to solve

Any insights ? Thoughts that would cause the list

I doubt they would weight them as your guy might have suggested.

The helm itself could account for a list, dash, gauges, steering wheel, etc. etc. all on the starboard side. Assuming everything else is balanced after that

I don't think there were wights.

There have been a few threads on here where people parted boats out and cut the hulls into little tiny pieces. A big chunk of metal would have been outstanding on one hand, and chainsaw hindering on the other.

That being said, I can't remember if any of the hulls originally had a python in them.

Tim is usually correct and that sucks.

nothing abnormal on mine -- have you ridden in a different correct craft/inboard to see if it's abnormal? the smaller the boat, the bigger difference a person in the driver seat would matter...with nobody in the boat, does it sit level? If not, post a picture.

When you look at the motor on the motor mounts, how centered is it? That's what, 1200 pounds sitting in the middle of that boat and the hulls are made by hand. If the engine is off to the right side on the mounts (they allow for a direct sliding left or right adjustment to the motor position) even an inch or so I'd imagine that might cause a list. I've seen motors way off to the left or right adjustments on these boats.

Also, I don't buy the helm causing any list. The passenger/spotter seat and hinge assembly as well as the heavy "cutting board" glovebox cover and glovebox internal fiberglass (looks like another whole mold of fiberglass on that particular glovebox) has to counter out the "helm" weight if any. The dash weighs nothing, really. Every comp boat I've seen in general is level at rest.

It looks centered when you look at it, but i would to measure to get the exact numbers.

This is a possible and logical explanation, is it a lot of work to re-center an engine.

Could my cell foam be water logged ?

What? I thought you had that checked?

I had a technician go through the boat rip up the floorboards and check the stringers, water, etc.. Everything a okay so no issue “under the hood”.

I don't know what that means as there are no "floor boards"... Just glass over foam. Did he or did he not dissect the boat and inspect for water weight?

I will post some pics on the weekend

Just to be clear, before i purchased the boat i brought up the list as an issue. They dealer would have it inspected to ensure they were not selling me a bad boat.

The technician " removed the floor boards and checked the stringers, no issues were found, no water"....and then they provided me with the explanation.

After reading the posts, i am no longer taking anything at face value from what the dealer said and start questioning everything for i can personally cross it off my POE list.

1. Engine Alignment

2. Cell foam Water logged - how do i check for that ?

The battery is not in the middle in this boat and it is in its proper place.

i will swap your 08 sport Nautique boat for my listing 99 python and you wake surf all day all night

Thanks 74Wind, good advice i could be over clubbing the list but it is certainly noticeable. It is from a very reputable dealer but its a 16 year old boat, so i will assume the risk. They simply checked to make sure they weren't going to sell me a boat that would sink.

its a weird one.   I honestly don't believe its a water issue, this boat was boathouse kept on a lift, well used, but well taken care of. Something is throwing it off.