Rookie boater - need advice

[Aero Man]

Got my first boat (used) in exc condition 2 years ago, but orig 25 hp Merc engine was in poor cond. Sold it for parts and bought a new o/b engine from Suzuki dealer - dealer installed it. I garage the boat and trailer to keep it pristine.

Love the Suzuki, but my problem is that the engine is to heavy (216 lb) for the boat (195 lb w/o fuel, floorboards, gear, people), so the boat rides bow-high until I get it on plane (which my wife hates). I thought I could get used to it, but I can't ~ I mismatched engine to boat. Dealer didn't counsel me; he's now out of business.

Hate to sell the boat (still in great cond, good size for my use), hate to sell the engine (quiet, runs great, has <50 hrs). Would prefer to modify boat "somehow" to keep Suzuki o/b, but will sell boat or engine if no option.

What should I do?

 

[rsw21282]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

you could get a hydro foil that will help get on plane quicker. Besides that you could store your gear in the front of the boat to attempt to balance it out. I dont know if this would be a good idea but you could just add weight to the front of the boat. I myself am semi new to boating, a few yrs. Also make sure the trim setting(angle of motor) is good so doesnt push bow up when moving.

 

[Aero Man]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

Yeah, and I was also thinking of adding ballast in the front. The hydrofoil is a good option too - thanks for the ideas.

Others?

 

[crb478]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

What is the boats length and width? What is the HP of the new motor? Adjusting the weight could help by moving the battery and fuel to the front. A hydrofoil or smart tabs could also help, but to be honest it sounds like the motor is too heavy for the boat. By the weight I would guess it is a four stroke motor. A two stroke motor of the same Hp will probably weigh a good bit less. I would experiment with moving weight around first. If that works then make it more permenant, but be aware that too much weight may make it even more unsafe.

 

[Aero Man]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

Thanks for your thoughts crb478.

I've got the boat details in my e-mail signature. Width is 68". I'll move the "payload" forward to see if it's possible to rebalance the boat as you suggested. But, you're right that I could be creating an unsafe setup.

At the end of the day, I suppose that I must admit that the engine is just to darn heavy for my boat. In worst case, I guess I'll trade/barter for a lighter weight engine

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

given the cost of an engine, vs cost of an aluminum boat, wouldn't it be better to buy a 16' aluminum boat and put the engine on it? and get rid of the 14'. The extra 2 feet will go a long way.... then you could always pick up a cheap engine on craigslist for the 14 footer if you decided to keep it... I'd rather have a great engine that I had owned from new, and knew it's history and condition, than one I picked up or swapped/bartered just to go lighter... which is why I would rather upgrade the hull than downgrade the engine. My 2 cents

 

[Aero Man]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

You're right!

I'm letting my "fondness" for my first boat (like your "first" girlfiend; you never forget) get in the way of the practical approach which would be to keep the engine and replace the boat. Thanks for bringing me back to "ground level"!!!

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

Where is your battery? If in the back get some welding cable and run the cables to the front of the boat. Is there a starting and trolling battery? If so I'd at least move the deep cycle to the front. Pretty amazing what 40lbs will do.

Where does everyone sit?

I don't have them but I have heard nothing but good about trim tabs, might be worth a try.

A pic of your boat will also help for ideas.

It's kind of nice to have everything close when your at the back of the boat bit most times we don't have that luxury. Move everything you can forward (anchor, battery, cooler, wife )

Even the new Grumman boats are rated at 25hp and 1k total weight so you shouldn't be that far off that some rearranging couldn't fix.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

is it tiller or remote control. it tiller you could go to remote control and ezy guide stick steering. move your weight forward. i have used the system on 3 boat 1 a 14 ft aluminum Lone Star.

 

[Aero Man]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

To: Lion Hunter and tashasdaddy, and all otehrs who have commented:

Thanks for your thoughts. I have a few questions on your advice. But first, I'll take a photo of the outfitted boat tonight after work (Wed night) and post picture then. I'll ask my follow-on questions in that post. Thanks again,

 

[Aero Man]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

Attached is a picture of the boat showing where the gear sits. I'm 210 lbs and wife is 125 lbs. She likes to steer the tiller, bu also likes to sit in the bow. Fishing gear resides on the left side.

Here in the Pacific NW, I've never seen the "Ezy Guide Stick Steering" device. Makes sense. This will be my solution of last resort if moving the gear forward doesn't work. Looks like I can only buy it online...Amazon???

But I also like the solution of moving both batteries into the bow area and lengthening the gas line to also move the fuel tank further forward. The previous owner built & installed heavy floor boards with 2X4 and plywood, then covered those with marine carpeting. I could redo those with lighter materials? Any other bits of wisdom?



Thanks to all!

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

I'd move both batteries in front of the bow seat. That'll be 100lbs. will make a big difference. I wouldn't mess with the floors. They look real nice. I'd go stick steer before I took them out. I didn't see an anchor either. At least a 15lb in the bow. And if you take a cooler I'd try that in front of the middle seat. Nothing behind the rear seat but you, gas, and motor.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

Let me get this right, the engine weighs more than the boat and you're actually trying to figga out how to balance it?

The world has gone nuts.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Rookie boater - need advice

imo the easiest to move is the gas tank.You could try moving the batteries in front of the middle seat.This would get them out of the stern and forward
without weighting the bow too much.Would save on cable.
Put a piece of plywood between the stern and middle seat above where the tank is now.Then sit as far forward as your arm will allow when planing.
Try timming in a notch (prop closer to boat) If it doesn't lose too much speed or the bow drop too much you'll get up quicker.Don't do everything at once try one or two at a time.