how much weight is too much ?

[wayne h]

the boat is a 12 foot aluminum vhull rated for 661 lbs.is that total weight including motor and fuel ? i have a 9.5 evinrude (60 lbs) 6 gallons of fuel (50lbs) a trolling motor (30 lbs) battery (45 lbs) me 200lbs and a freind 170lbs thats a total of 550 with out cooler and other little items. alot of the weight is in the back of the boat (motor fuel battery trolling motor and me) will this be a problem you think ?

 

[JB]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

Yes, Wayne. It is already too much.<br /><br />Very dangerous. Get a bigger boat or a smaller fishing buddy.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[wayne h]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

all i am lookin to do is go down the river nothing fast.550 is too much even know the boat is rated for 661?

 

[chris in va]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

Might want to keep your PFD's on (life jackets).

 

[wayne h]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

really ? i did not think that it would be that dangerous hummm maybe i need to think about losing weight somewhere(myself) lol. how much weight would be safe? i really wanted to use the trolling motor for the river but would hate to lose the outboard.maybe a smaller fuel tank.what is i move the weight around in the boat putting the trolling motor and battey up front?

 

[evin300]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

How about the gas tank in front, and the battery in the middle? They do make a triangle shaped tank that will fit in the very end of the bow, (6-gallon portable made by "Tempo" I think)<br /><br />I think weight distribution is the key here. You probably have to much weight in the stern. Also make sure that you use the proper battery cable size, if you are going to extend them.<br /><br />I think it will work out just fine, as I have the same set-up except a 7.5 hp and no trolling motor or battery, but I do weigh in at 280 lbs! Go-Figure!

 

[akriverrat]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

you can tell when your skiff is to heavy (way to heavy) with a simple test. put on your pfd. start motor. put in forward gear.speed up till bow is as high it will go, not on step. start steering gently left or right. gradually increase tightness of turn. boat should be tilted in direction you're turning. if at some point the tilt goes out instead of in you're overloaded and probably came real close to swamping your boat. at least the 3 different times i did this i steered hard in the other direction befor the boat completely filled with water.

 

[wayne h]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

ok so IF its too heavy it will be dangerous at high speeds? i am only lookin to go in the flats no wake rivers and stuff like that remeber its only 12 footer. i see people making decks and live wells and all that on smaller boats and i know its way over the weight limit but they have no problems. i think i will try it and see i will move the weight around the boat alittle better. i was told as long as i dont max out the weight limit i will be ok.i am 100 lbs less then max

 

[JB]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

Wayne, if you are looking for someone to say it's okay to run your boat so close to the weight limit you are out of luck.<br /><br />"Cooler and other little items" like tackle boxes, PFDs, tackle and so forth add up and are ALWAYS underestimated. <br /><br />Your boat will be most dangerous when you are sitting still and start moving around or have a wake hit you broadside, not when running at reasonable speed with the weight well distributed.<br /><br />Sorry you don't like the answers, but if you aren't going to accept them, don't ask.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[wayne h]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

its not that JB its just that i see alot of boats that are well over there limit doing alot more then i will be doing and they have no problems.i was just wondering who was over there weight limit and how it affected them or there boats.<br />i guess i will have to try to lose the weight some here maybe i will take the outboard off and fuel out since i am going to use the trolling motor 90% of the time i just did not want to get stuck in a fast movine florida storm and not have the outboard to get me back in

 

[wayne h]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

P.S. i am sorry i should have taken a closer look at the plate before i posted a message.but it was painted and i had to clean it off.it says maxumum weight of 661 lbs and an outboard engine no bigger then 17.5 hp. so i can deduct the 110 lbs of engine and fuel??? that would put me at 440 lbs.i am only running a 9.5 lighter then a 17.5 that its rated for.

 

[JB]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

No, Wayne. The limit includes engine and fuel weight.<br /><br />As I said, you asked. I wont give you an excuse to do something dangerous. <br /><br />If other people being stupid is enough for you, go for it, but wear that PFD at all times.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[B_Eager]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

Not to jump into the conversation late. Have you ever swamped a boat. If not try it before you go into uncharted waters. Pull your boat out of the luanch with no motor and pull the plug. then after you stugle the boat back in. Think about it before you even come close to over loading the boat. Have fun, but remember, safety first.

 

[wayne h]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

i was just confused about the way the plate reads ( maximum weight of 661 lbs and an outboard no bigger the 17.5 ) they should have use the words,661 lbs WITH an outboard motor no bigger then 17.5, anyway what is a safe weight ?

 

[Specks n Reds]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

 

[evin300]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

Gee, is Wayne really pushing the limit? Could someone explain to me why its ok to use the maximum HP rating, but its not ok to be at the maximum weight limit? <br /><br />Does anyone really beleive that these limits are right on the borderline between safe and dangerous? I do believe these ratings are in place to say that you can have this much HP and this much weight and STILL BE SAFE!<br /><br />If someone here could explain why this is not true, I would just love it.

 

[B_Eager]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

I consider the plate for normal operating conditions.<br />My coast guard plate reads<br /><br />16.6' jet boat<br />5 people or 700 pounds<br />175 horse power<br /><br />Well I only have 120 Horse power and I load no heavyer then 500 pounds.<br />You get a fast storm or be in the wrong spot at a tide change around here in Long Iland sound. You will want all the extra room you can get to the max rating. I think it realy comes down to testing out what works best for you, I will go heavyer inland then in the sound but I have had this boat for several years now, and tried many different combinations. If need be give up weight by leaving things behind or carrying only a half tank of gas. I can pick up a 100 pounds just by doing that alone.

 

[wayne h]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

ok me and my boat just got back from the coast gaurd inspection station they told me "that 661 lbs DOES NOT include the engine weight.that the 661 lbs is people and gear weight."and that my boat is safe with 440 lbs(people and gear) plus my engine and fuel would be 550 lbs and i still fall under the 661 weight limit(that is just people and gear).hope this clears up everything said in this thread.thanks for the help.

 

[neumanns]

Re: how much weight is too much ?

Wayne you have proabably heard enoufgh yes's and no's to draw your own conclusion but might I add a thought for you.<br /><br />Empty the boat compleatly and go scale it then put all gear gas anchors Ice tackle etc and rescale it. Add your ocupants weight and you will then Know your True weight, This may seem Like a lot of trouble but it is truley amazing how fast five trips to the boat Weighs up.