How important is L-R balance?

[guy48065]

My little 18-footer has 2 batteries on the driver's (R) side. Since I dock on that side I moved the 6-gal fuel tank to that side and now I'm questioning if I've gone too far in stacking the weight on the right side. There's really nothing else I can move to the left to compensate.

 

[MH Hawker]

its so so important, about the only thing you may notice is it will pull to the heavy side, that may be minor annoyance

 

[Scott Danforth]

move the batteries to the left side

 

[HotTommy]

It seems to me there are two questions. First, is balance important while docked? And second, is balance important while underway? If you are only concerned about balance while underway, then there are other loads to be considered. For example, on my 24' pontoon boat, the 30 gallon fuel tank is on the port side as are the seats favored by my guests. That makes the boat sit low on the port side when there are people on board. When it causes me concern I exercise my perogative as captain and direct people to different seats. ..... In your case, six gallons of fuel weighs only about 40 pounds. If you have one guest sit on the other side, you have more than offest that imbalance.

 

[guy48065]

90% of the time it's just my wife & I and we sit opposite each other.

I *could* move the batteries to port...and the switch...and extend the cables...and find a new home for the pfd's for which the port compartment was built. Nah.

 

[HotTommy]

Take your wife out to eat more often.

 

[Scott Danforth]

or invite the girl friend along with the wife......:behindsofa: