How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

[WebCraft]

Hi<br /><br />I'm wakeboarding behind a 17.5ft Viking Carrera - which is a shallow hulled boat great for Slalom. I've got a Merc 125 on the back and all was fine until I got hooked by the wakeboard <br /><br />My problem is that on most outings I have my missus as the pilot - alone in the boat - and she struggles tremendously to keep the boat on plane at about 20 mph. Every time I cut hard against the boat, she (the boat that is) digs her rear in and stalls off the plane. I find anything over 22mph too fast (and too painful <br /><br />With about three adults in the boat, there's no problem (and I enjoy a bigger wake , but speed is really my issue here.<br /><br />Can anyone suggest the best way to add about 400lb to the boat which is both cheap, and requires little physical labour to load and offload?<br /><br />I'm contemplating a purpose built water tank (about 200 litres) to sit between the seats, sandbags, gym weights, etc.etc.<br /><br />I'd love to hear any creative ideas.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Mark

 

[JB]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

First of all, wakeboarding with only the operator in the boat will get you a fine in many states. For safety (and perhaps your life) have a second person in the boat watching you.<br /><br />Adding weight will probably make things worse. You need to redistribute the weight forward, lower the weight if possible and select a lower pitch prop that will allow you to turn 4500-5000rpm at 20 mph. Try a ComProp from Cabela's. They are cheap, four bladed and they work.<br />Good luck<br /><br />JB

 

[itsbouttime]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

How about a set of trim tabs, That will keep the boat light for speed and keep the bow down. Adding loose items for weight can shift and be a hazard. Good luck. Be safe have 2 people on board. one at the controls and one spotter.

 

[jimmyhouston]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

JB, do you think Johannesburg, South Africa has a state law requiring more than just the operator in a boat when towing? Just wondering smart guy.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

I have a suggestion but it's expensive (maybe)... <br /><br />Webcraft, so you say your hooked on wakeboarding huh? Why not sell the boat you have and buy something thats more suitable for pulling a wakeboarder... An inboard ski boat like a Ski Nautique or Mastercraft is much better suited to do that particular job, and if your serious about wakeboarding it's the only way to fly...<br /><br />An older (like 70's-80's) Nautiques (which throw a great big ol' wake ) or Mastercraft would fill the bill nicely and would'nt cost you an arm and a leg... Old inboards also tend to hold their value if you keep them clean and in good shape... <br /><br />I'd say you should be able to find something decent for around $4000-$5000 but that can also depend on the area where you live... Seen em' go for as little as $2500 in fair shape/running condition...<br /><br />Just something to think about..

 

[neumanns]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

Jimmyhouston... If you look down on the bottom line of your reply you will notice this is your first post. If you look on JB's you will see he has been around a bit longer. On this ship as on most First mate's do not mouth the Admiral. We run a good ship around here and if you intend to be part of this crew it may not be a bad idea to apoligize to one of the most respected Admirals around here. He has many friends, as you will also if you stick around, and Behave. Welcome abored!<br /><br />Webcraft...400 lbs is 400lbs it will require some work, Hows about 8 fifty pound sand bags.

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

You tell him neumans. And whether it is the law or not wakeboarding w/o an observer is just plain crazy.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

Hey do you think maybe ol Jimmyhouston is just someone that has it in for JB, and just registered under a fake name, to yell at him incognito? since Jimmyhouston just registered, and posted now, on a topic that the last previous post was April 2001? He must have really did some searching to come up with a chance to hit on ol JB. This topic was way back when JB was touting other places of busines, ala cabelas.

 

[JB]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

Interesting question, JimmyHouston.<br /><br />If they don't they should.<br /><br />Dumb and Deadly are pretty much the same anywhere.

 

[neumanns]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

Allright I Missed The dates. Lakeman I do Believe I have been Had. Now that you mention it I do recall some such somthin or other, There could be a connection. (insert Thoughtful sigh) Hate when that happens!

 

[frankdel]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

I know in Mn you need and 2nd person in the boat or a mirror. <br /> I have stingray and it keep me on plan at lower speeds. Between that and triming you motor down should help.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

In SC you need an extra person in the boat, to watch the person on the end of the rope, or a "WIDE VIEW MIRROR", not just a mirror. Another thing to watch, is the occupant rating of the vessal, if it is rated for four persons, and you have one on a rope, that means only three in the boat, two persons on the end of ropes (a big tube) subtract two persons from the rated occupants, etc, and so forth. This is where I see a helluva lot of jet skiers breaking the law. No "WIDE VIEW MIRROR", and too many passengers.

 

[mls2002]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

400 lbs = + - 48 gals. of water. Have you ever hualed water in a vehicle? Ever try stopping?<br />Is the tank constructed with baffles?<br /><br />And the only reason I'm asking is becuase I'd hate to see someone get hurt.<br /><br />If sand are the bags H2O proof? Ya know how much wet sand weighs?

 

[Skiuseme]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

In my many Trips to the river for skiing and tubeing i have noticed a few things. The Dumb and Dangerous out number the Smart and safe boaters ( where Im from). Personaly I is not worth loseing a Friend for a day of skiing just the two of us we will always have another friend with us no questions asked. For those mirrors i think they are junk because of my duty to drive the boat should be my only concern. Someone else should be the spotter. But on another note In the boats that I have driven when towing a skier or a tuber you can feel the weight from the helm when fall off you can feel they let go...So personaly i hate when the government tells you what you can and cannot do but there should be some regulations on haveing another person in the boat while doing those activites just for the safety of all... My 2 Cents

 

[brianwhart]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

I used to have the same dilemma when I wakeboarded alot and instead of buying one of those fatsacks we'd weight down the boat using those huge Rubbermaid containers like you get from Walmart. I think they held 40 or 50 gallons, but they come in all different sizes. Put the containers where you want them in the boat, fill them up using a 5 gallon bucket and put the lids back on them. When you're done riding use the bucket to scoop the water back out until they're light enough to pour over the side. It was very easy and cheap.

 

[duck-n-pond]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

Personally I would rather fix the problem with some other means - or stop wake boarding. But, if I did need weight I would use ONLY fresh water in fully filled (to prevent weight shifting) cans or whatever. The reason for water, I would get a small electric pump to fill and/or empty when needed (hence the trailer weight warning above). Also, if the boat has any sort of floatation and you swap it, water won't pull it under or make it difficult to recover from the bottom, sand will. Fresh water in the chambers will actually add bouancy if the boat is swamped in salt water because of the density. If you always have 400lbs of weight on board, consider your capacity rating when you invite friends aboard. Just a thought.

 

[scotiany]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

How about getting a 9 or 12 gallon fuel tank and strapping it in up front. If you really want to get fancy, buy a fuel hose from NAPA and a male and female fitting. Then you can use it as a remote fuel tank. I don't think you would even need another fuel bulb.

 

[beckerdg]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

You could also also attach one of the fins to your lower unit that help with low speed planing to remedy your problem. Very cheap, but will take a little speed off the top end due to additional drag.

 

[envy83]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

The cost a bit more, but "FatSacs" are heavy duty rubberized bags with attactchable pumps that are specifically designed for this sort of thing. A search on Google under fat sacks should give you a long list of online retailers.

 

[playspot1]

Re: How can I weigh down my boat cheaply and easily?

FatSacs are definitely the way to go.