Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

When I give heavy throttle like pulling a person out of the water I have a slight flutter noise that comes from under the helm or steering wheel. (like rudder flutter-if you will) I was wondering if this is common or something needs looked at. I asked my dealer and they said it is just cable operated so there shouldn't be any sort of sound or vibration etc.. I then called the tech service with the manufacturer of these steering systems and he said if anything was loose at the rudder or noise in the engine bay that the cable would act like a speaker wire and amplify the noise at the helm. I have checked the bolts at the rudder and found them a little loose so I tightened these and the sound decreased significantly but it is still slightly there.

After speed is reached the sound goes away so it is just as the boat is accelerating.

Just wondering if other boats hear this or should I even be concerned about it.

Thanks in advance

Are you sure it's just not the prop cavitating a little?

It could be that exactly. Prop cavatitation or rudder flutter. Is that a normal thing? Sorry first inboard v-drive lol?

May be a stupid question.....How would you stop cavitation?

What prop do you have?

Stock Prop not "high altitude"

I get this all the time it tells me I'm all weeded up! I operate under heavy mil-foil I get those vibrations followed by poor take off performance 2 seconds in reverse cures it a20 5 blade prop

Thats not exactly my issue I am in 200 ft water. Nothing on my prop ha ha.

I have felt this before in my boat and other boats… it sounds like rudder flutter which means that something may be loose. I think in my boat it was loose bolts right before the rudder. In the engine compartment on the driver side, there is an L bracket that mounts the end of the steering cable just a couple feet before the rudder. My L bracket was very loose and I was getting this flutter. I tightened the 2 bolts (huge PITA by the way) and now it is fine.

Since you have a stock prop, I doubt that it is prop cavitation, unless you have the 450 motor and run no ballast, that prop probably won't cavitate. My cinco would cavitate for a half second at WOT from a complete stop, but not during all acceleration.

Try your steering first, check that your steering wheel main nut is tight, then the steering box, then that L bracket I referred to, then the rudder box and tiller arm.

I haven't noticed anything on my boat...but when I saw my boat being water tested at the Malibu factory...the guy testing it told me that you will feel a little cavatation at full throttle and it's nothing to worry about. I have the cinco 5 blade and not sure if what he told me is for just the cinco or all props. Just my my 2cents for you guys.

Ok...I just pushed my boat to redline for the first time trying to see what top speed would be. I noticed at about 5000 rpm it had a flutter under the helm. Not sure if this is the same as away's but disconcerting non the less. I will try to investigate further next time out.