Am I doing something wrong with my circular polarizer?

Here are some example pictures I've taken with my 50D w/ 17-55mm F2.8 and Hoya HD CPL.

I feel like I am messing up my use of the CPL. When I rotate the front element I see a darkening of the sky but it results in a somewhat yellow-blue sky and slightly yellow tinge skies. The view through the viewfinder matches what I see recorded and its just a pretty "muddy" image. With some editing the result can be improved if I increase contrast, slightly change white balance and increase vibrance I can get a result similar to what I see in other people's pictures. Take a look and comment if you can. The first two are unediting raw images. The last I edited to achieve the look I feel is "correct". Thanks for your help!

http://i417.photobucke​t.com …s/pp252/VVFF/IM​G_5211.jpg

http://i417.photobucke​t.com …s/pp252/VVFF/IM​G_5214.jpg

http://i417.photobucke​t.com …s/pp252/VVFF/IM​G_5180.jpg

I don't see what you see.

phetaroi wrote in post #9248322
I don't see what you see.

You don't see the grey-blue darkened skies and yellow-ish whites?

the grey-blue is normal for a polarized sky.

When your white look yellow it's time to play with the white balance. The first pic looks fine to me but I do see some tint in teh bottom of the cloud in the second. Seems like the shadows have a little yellow/green tint to them.

Maybe it's your screen? Try a different monitor if available.

Looks ok to me.

I see a lens that's too wide for effective polarization accross the entire field of view...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9248670
I see a lens that's too wide for effective polarization accross the entire field of view...

Bingo!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9248670
I see a lens that's too wide for effective polarization accross the entire field of view...

Agreed.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9248670
I see a lens that's too wide for effective polarization accross the entire field of view...

+1.

I think the photo with the ship is correctly exposed at 1/500 f/7.1 -0.33EV

The other two look overexposed

One at 1/160 f/7.1 -0.33EV
One at 1/160 f/7.1 0.0EV

You got lucky because the white ship made the Camera's meter select a faster shutter speed because it saw so much brightness.