Nitro is also offering the 20in. rims on the Z9. 2 more inches wont make that much more difference on unloading. They sure look nice though.

Great Post, Thanks for adding so much great information to the Legend Thread.

I just bought a 07 Legend LE-21 and it chine walks real bad. So body told me you can drive trough it. I tried that and that didn't work. What do you think the problem might be.

It's not set up right would be my first guess. No offense, but how much experience do you have driving boats? Sometimes, it helps if you SLIGHTLY load the steering wheel while it's happening.

ANY boat that is not under powered will chime walk if
1) It is not setup correctly.
2) Driver is not experienced.

Not meant as a jab to you, just facts.

What mph are you at when it starts to walk.If you are at full speed and trimmed all the way out,then you got it over trimmed.The boat should be set up correct,just watch the trim gauge and from half up just a little at a time when you feel it start just bump down a hair.

Chinewalk: You AIN'T "Driving THROUGH It"!
by Ken Cook


"Chinewalk" requires some definition if we're going to talk about it.

First, "What is a "chine"?" The chine of a hull is where the bottom joins the side. It may be "hard" (a well defined edge) or "soft" (significant rounding, often merely a gentle curve with no definitive break between bottom and side).
ChineWALK is a violent, often rapid, side to side oscillation. Technically, it is literally bouncing from one chine to the other. True chinewalk is one of the most dangerous events that a boater can experience. Any padV hull can chinewalk if there are hull problems, setup is wrong or the driver is inexperienced. Certain wave/wake conditions can force even the experienced driver to deal with chinewalk on a properly set up hull as well.

NOW! Does your boat CHINEWALK? If it does, you have hull/setup problems or you have not yet learned to drive it. Chinewalk cannot be "driven through", but it must be driven OUT OF when it occurs. Typically, the driver must ease out of the throttle while keeping the helm straight. This is not ALWAYS the answer, but dumping the throttle and/or attempting to steer out of this condition can cause total loss of control and lead to an accident, rather than an adrenaline rush, tripled heart rate and a dirty seat.

ALL PadVs have a tendency to "fall off the pad" to starboard (right). This is NOT chinewalk, but, if not corrected, will result in chinewalk! Driving a padV to its limits is a "high wire" or "balancing" act. Prop (engine) torque and load balance are the major factors (assuming a straight hull and good setup) in this condition. Both can be controlled and, in many cases, virtually eliminated.

THE FIRST STEP in gaining control is to assure that the engine is properly mounted (centered and plumb) and there are no hull defects (rocker or hook). Beyond a certain engine height, torque will exist no matter how well balanced the load (see below) and NO, hydraulic steering DOES NOT eliminate torque, it "masks" it. A welded, properly adjusted skeg mounted torque tab will minimize this condition.

BALANCING THE LOAD: As most hulls have a starboard driver console, there is a "built-in" load imbalance to starboard when there is only one occupant. This automatically increases the tendency to fall off to starboard. Proper positioning of batteries and other accessories is one step in minimizing this condition. This is a "static" or not easily adjustable parameter. "Overloading" or storing most tackle and other "removable" items in port (left) side rod and/or storage box(es) helps to achieve balance. Hulls with side-by-side livewells and/or dual fuel tanks offer additional solutions when fishing alone. A 30 gallon livewell system with port side only filled adds about 120 pounds (15 gal @ 8 pounds/gal) to port of centerline and contributes about half that or 60 pounds to balancing the load. Although it would decrease cruising range, similar gains can be achieved by limiting fuel in the starboard fuel tank. Gasoline weighs about 6 pounds per gallon. Do the math! If both fuel tanks must be full at the beginning of the trip, start by using the starboard tank and balance will improve as fuel is consumed. When you add a second occupant, dynamic balance changes and requires a re-think of "what's where?" to balance the load again. If the hull balance is good and the design has "3 across" seating, consider placing the passenger in the center seat for minimum impact.

OKAY, everything's "perfect". The hull is well balanced, mechanical setup is spot on and, if not a pussycat, the boat is now a well trained lion. What I mean is that the stability is still a dynamic condition. Environmental conditions (wind, waves, an unexpected wake or a required rapid/emergency maneuver) are always changing and trying to push the hull off balance. Constant awareness and an almost automatic response (this comes with the now classic phrase, "seat time") are required to assure continued safe, controlled operation. The ball's in your court. Experienced drivers can help you learn, but you must spend the time behind the wheel and learn to anticipate the hull's next "move".

"Wait a minute! How DO I drive it?" The generic answer is "small helm corrections to port as required". Not really a definitive answer, is it? No one can TELL you how to drive YOUR boat. I know it's frustrating and you get tired of hearing or reading "seat time". Although you will pick up pointers, even "show and tell" with an experienced driver at the helm and you as observer will not be enough. The corrections become so nearly automatic that it's hard to communicate "why" I did that or "when" to do it. Overcorrection to port throws the hull past centerline and it tries to fall to port. Undercorrection to port allows the hull to continue to fall to starboard and requires additional correction to port, often resulting in overcorrection. Each under or overcorrection requires a larger correction to compensate and, if that correction is too much or too little, the oscillation increases. This is the beginning of chinewalk, the time to ease out of the throttle and start over BEFORE it becomes dangerous.
You CAN do it! You must set aside on the water time to concentrate on your driving skills just as you would learning a new fishing technique.

well........what I do ,is never correct the steering to starboard. I just slightly move the wheel to port, and back to "square.
after several miles of this, I slow down and it goes away...

225 pro es you have mail

broken rod long time no see? you still as crusty as ever? you still letting your boy who owns a legend whip you everytime you are on the lake? I have something in my garage you need to see..holler at me one day and I will bring it by.

c,b,c.dont believe what you here from him as i rember last time we went out,he got a country down home woopen bet he is freezen his butt of on graham this morning,hope he does well he is on a good bite the pattern was strong

so he did go to graham? I am sitting in a nice warm living room with my 4 month old having a blast. yes last time he told me you two were on the water, he said you could not get bit at all and he just caught all the fish.

so how do you like all the bashing of those legend boats? I keep telling everyone to go for a ride and see. I own my basscat and i am very happy with it. but like I tell everyone else, if I had not got my cat, I would have gotten a legend for sure. I like his legend and I like jimmys.

they are nice boats people should ride @ decide.dont take anyones word with out a demo dont care what you buy

Hey Guys -
I own a Legend and love it! I have owned a Skeeter and a Basscat previous as well as a really old Ranger. I have ridden in every boat imaginable doing my job... I wouldn't trade my Legend for any one of them. It is truly the finest riding boat on the water - Think Champion for the ride -

The company is also awesome - Randy Qualls is the owner and Dean Smith runs the company outside Mountain Home. Jamie Cyphers is the National Sales manager. These are all outstanding guys and they stand behind their product 100%. Besides, you Texas boys should know Randy is an outstanding fisherman... Good to know the guy designing this boat is one of us, and not some engineer who has no idea what they should do on the water!

I highly recommend checking one out before you buy your next boat! Rides awesome, turns like its on rails and has outstanding fish-ability! and they are gorgeous boats!

tom is that you? if so again thanks for the great service and a great magazine.