everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

[josh6780]

Ok well, I have two 14 footers (v hull) one is about 3 or 4 inches wider than the other. I went out on the smaller one today for the first time. With a troll on the back. (i'm still working on the other one) I liked it. The only thing is, I am so used to 40,000 dollar triton boats my friends grand dad has. HA! Talk about a diffrence. Now here is my question. After being on the boat. I noticed how tippy it was. Which I know is normal. But It made me think that I could easly flip the boat or something with a 25 horse engine or even a 15 on the smaller one. There just so light. The wind tilts it! Now does it just seem this way b/c I am used to bigger boats? Is there a way to mame these boats less tippy. If I add weight to the bottom of it or something? I was thinking about takeing the wider one and putting plywood down. To make it nice and flat all across the middle to the front of the boat. will doing that make any diffrence?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

it will make it heavier, more comfortable to stand in, but no it won't make it more stable. it's like any maiden voyage, you have to learn the boat. the only way to make it more stable is put outriggers on it. look at the narrow native boats of the south seas. i have a 1960 14' Lonestar w/1955 15hp eivnrude, remote control and stick steering at middle seat. fantasic little boat. at first (58 Y/O with arthritic knees) i thought i could not use this boat, being use to 7'wide boats. took a little time to figure out how to move around, but now it's my favorite. fish alll day on 6 gal tank instead of 15 gals. runs of at about 25 mph. i do wear and auto inflate PFD.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

Agree on light and different. Also agree on getting used to it. I like them in their place. Alumacraft is one fine boat but due to it's rounded hull it is really tippy, but not all that bad.<br /><br />My granddaddy fished out of Rockport, TX. out of a 16' planked skiff with a 10 hp Johnson that had the sliding throttle across the front....green cowling with red decals.<br /><br />He had the same thing, a stick rigged to the center seat and it worked fine. The boat was so big and the motor so small that the boat was at the mercy of the waves. I remember on the way in in the afternoon (wind always blowing but to our backs) we would ride up on a wave and slide down the back of it.<br /><br />He kept the small motor as he kept the boat tied up in the boat basin (in the water) and transported the motor and gear in the trunk of his car. 10 hp was all that he could handle.<br /><br />Well so much for that.<br /><br />Mark<br /><br />Mark

 

[JB]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

Boat topic

 

[josh6780]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

Yeah, What about the plywood. Would that help at all? And what are out riggers?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

tex, i thought about what your granddad did, or using a sail boat tiller extention, but i went with the ezy glide stick steering system, it has a cable similar to teleflex.

 

[QC]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

josh,<br /><br />Describe your plywood plan with a little more detail. I am not really sure what the plan is . . .

 

[Bondo]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

" What about the plywood."<br /><br />My 1st Guess is,.....<br />You'll be Raising the center of gravity,.......<br />It'll be Tippier........

 

[KCook]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

Adding weight is deceptive. To your senses it SEEMS that the boat is more steady and therefore safer. But in reality the added weight makes the stability envelope smaller, less force will be needed to tip it over. As the guys already said, take your time getting used to the light boat.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[josh6780]

Re: everyone read this I need your advice...(adding weight to boats)

ok, I guess I won't add weight to it then.<br /><br />The plywood thing...I just want to make the whole floor board of the boat flat all the way across. Thats all I want to do with the plywood. It will be nice for me. And I could put a little rail around it so things won't fall out.