Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

[dwhite1031]

Whenever we move around in our 16 foot aluminum bass boat, it feels like it's gonna throw you overboard. On the front or back fishing decks, just bending over to change rods while sitting in the pedestal seats does this. I know tinnies are lighter and all but is this normal? I don't dare try to stand on the decks and fish. It's frustrating as this is a boat we purchased new and hope to get many years of use from. It's Tracker Pro 16, 16' long with a 70" beam and 48" bottom. Other than that, it's a cool little rig.​

 

[5150abf]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Why would they market a boat with casting decks you can't cast from???

I would go back to the dealer and tell him your problem, you never know, seems liek a pretty major design flaw to me.

I have a 16' semi v and me and my fishing buddy can both stand on the guwall and not worry about tipping, mine is 56'' beam though.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Looks a little tippy to me

 

[jash1178]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

A friend of mine had this problem with a simular boat and built a plywood floor so water could run underneath and this also stabilized the boat alot.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

How much weight are you carrying? Kinda sounds counterrpoductive but you may need more weight to get the boat deeper in the water. Do you have the livewells full, Ice chest?

 

[EsoxRanger]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Unfortunately, a 48" bottom width is not ever going to be real stable. The addition of a Dole Fin or similar product on the outboard will help a bit if you fish with the main motor down.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Yup that's a skinny boat. A little ballast at the lowest point may help, being careful not to exceed the max weight rating for the boat. Other then that, stay out of waters with lots of waves/wakes....

Ian

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Common problem. I looked at one a year ago, and passed on it because of the
70'" beam over a 48" wide hull.

Another complaint is that is more suited for one person than two.
Quite a few of them are always up for resale.

Keep the pedestal seats height low.
Fish parallel to the main axis of the boat, and not perpendicular.
Put some water filled jugs on the floor, balanced through the boat.



Enjoy your boat!

 

[109jb]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Sorry to say it is a narrow aluminum boat and that is what it is going to do. There is only so much you can do to alleviate this (already mentioned). I have fished of of those and they do move a bit, but I personally never felt like it was going to capsize. I have stood up casting for bass too. Some of it is getting used to the boat and getting "sea legs". Those boats are good for getting into shallow tight areas. I do prefer a wider boat myself.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Doug,
As previously mentioned, keeping the live well filled and all tackle on the lowest floor will help.
Now, my 89 year old father-in-law had the same problem with a Sears Gamefisher that he previously owned. His simple solution was to fabricate a pair of hard foam sponsons to match the contours of the hull, Liquid Nail them to the hull even to the waterline (at rest) and paint to match the boat. They worked like a charm to stabalize the boat when fishing, cleared the water when underway and made the boat turn on a dime !! Check out a larger Jet Ski to grasp the idea.

FWIW....Ed in 'ol Virginny

 

[dwhite1031]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

It is pretty light, especially up front. There's only a small storage bin and the trolling motor up front so virtually no weight up there. I always fill the livewell, which is dead center of the boat. Holds almost 10 gallons before the overflow tube which is right at 90 lbs. Today the lake had a 15 mph wind across it and she would't get on plane. Wife moved and sat on livewell lid and boat got on plane and hauled "fannie" across water. Looking at some smart tabs. Wonder if that might help some since they're down at about 28 degrees when not running. Thought it would not only help her get on plane but serve as stabilizers when fishing.

All of your suggestions and comments are greatly appreciated and I am open to any additional.​

 

[dwhite1031]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Looks a little tippy to me

That's her, except mine came with the 30HP. Notice they always have 150 lb guys and kids in the sales pictures? No stability issues for them........but in the real world.....​

BTW, that "no hassle" price they list is with the 25 hp and before "dealer prep", "freight charges", and then state/local taxes and DMV registration, and TPWD registration.....the 30 hp and all that is sustantially more. Gotta love it.....​

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Thats a cool looking little boat, I can see why you would have stability issues though. I think the foam sponsons on the side right at the water line is a smart idea, probably solve the problem enough to make it a non-issue.

My Tuffy 160 Sportsman has a sponsoned hull and it makes a huge difference in stability, we regularly stand on the livewell lids etc for fishing...people moving around the boat hardly affects the balance.

I would look into the foam sideboards, sounds like an easy fix for cheap!

Good luck and post some pics with your resolution.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Moving around in aluminum bass boat nearly tosses overboard

Sorry to be negative on this, but with just a basic understanding of real 'vessel stability' one will realize that the practice of putting pedistal chairs on a light boat is (being polite) not a good idea. The instant you sit on that chair you really raise the center of gravity of the whole rig a lot, and if you have a wet well you are adding to the problem with free surface effect. From a design standpoint there isn't much that can be done. Sponsons can help with initial stability when they hit the water, but as soon as they are submerged they will help no further.