Seabird Rolls a lot

[Badger99]

I AM ADDING A PICTURE OF THE BOAT FOR REF. JUST COPY AND PASTE THE LINK BELOW INTO YOUR BROWSER FOR THE PICTURE. SORRY JUST CLICKING THE LINK WON'T WORK THANKS EVERYONE.<br />

<br />I have a 1971 23'8" Seabird flybridge. I dragged her out of the back of an old farm a few years ago. I Pulled the old rusted high profile drive system out and repowered her with a transom bracket and a V6 Outboard. However what I am curious about is that the boat tends to roll a lot. Even 2 persons standing on one side will cause her to heel over like a sailboat a good bit. Is this normal for these boats? I have considered pulling the flybridge off and going to a center console figuring it would lower the center of gravity but I prefer to keep the cabin and bridge. Of course the nightmare scenario is a capsized boat while 45 miles offshore. Any comments on this?<br /><br />Thanks Badger

 

[wezie]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

Did the conversion result in less ballast in the bilge than original?<br />Deep Vs roll more.<br />With the cast iron engine removed from the bilge and wt added farther aft, it would seem that the boat will ride higher forward and deeper aft, sticking the bow up in the air and rolling more.<br />I would guess that less of the chine is in the water than before.<br />Deep V, less ballast, more wt aft, = roll.<br />Keep asking questions, and find other boats of this make.<br />Good luck.

 

[Badger99]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

Well I removed about a 700lb engine from the bilge so yes Less weight in the bilge. Sadly I made many many inquiries before doing this modification and everyone said it would work fine. <br />Anyone have suggestions on this problem?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

Badger - That condition is normal and removing the flybridge would help some but I would bet it would still roll.<br /><br />You could put some weight back toward the stern (like sandbags) but who wants to spend fuel pushing sandbags over the water. Kinda depends on how bad it is and how much it bothers you.

 

[Badger99]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

My biggest consearn is safety. I don't want the boat to flip on me. I was going to add trim tabs but I'd rather not continue to pour money into a hopeless project.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

Not trying to take away from this board, but I think I know someone who hangs out on another board that used to have a seabird and is quite knowledgable about them. He hangs out here: Boat Board . Ask for Dunk. He may be able to help.<br /><br />Mods, hope I didn't break any rules here, please remove if so.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

About 120 gallons of Gas in a Bilge Tank would counter the effect of that motor sitting Way back,+ High......<br />It'll take 100gals. Just to replace the weight you took out....<br />Where are your tanks located Now ????<br />Big Bennett Tabs will make your boat "Feel" 2' Longer....

 

[Badger99]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

The main tank is about a 75 gallon belly tank that sits near the center of the boat. I am pretty sure that trim tabs would help keep her from rolling while running but I would think I need below the water balast to help with the stationary roll. I will give serious consideration to the fuel tank Idea. Only problem I see with that is after I burn the fuel <br />From what I gather from folks here is that I want to increase overall weight of the boat and make it ride lower in the water and bring what little chine she has down into the water?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

...sand bags cost nothing to try. If it still doesn't do the trick, ditch it.

 

[FIN-FEVER]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

Hey badger, I have a 1974 24 seabird.Not a flybridge but a cuddy cabin and mine doesnt roll at all when running but does lay to the side quite a bit when two people are on the same side of the boat.The deep vee is the cause of this I reckon.I believe trim tabs would be helpful on this boat although I havent purchased a set, I just try to keep my load adjusted

 

[Badger99]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

I think that trim tabs would definatley push more of my chines into the water and level out the ride when the boat runs. But other then balast I don't suppose anything will keep it from laying over when netting fish etc. Perhaps I won't junk the boat just yet.

 

[Columbia]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

I'd think it was more a design factor than the weight.

 

[Hunky Dory]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

Interesting problem; those seadrives always looked so good to me before. <br /><br />It appears that the Johnson is mounted so that the majority of its weight is above the waterline of the boat. This would mean that as you start to heel the powerhead is wanting to pendulum on around adding its weight and inertia to the problem. <br /><br />It also means that the C.G. might be far above its prior location with any config of an inboard in the bilge. <br /><br />Is there any way to lower the engine mount and still trailer the boat? It looks too good to abandon the project...

 

[BassMan283]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

I'm curious about one thing. What is the advantage of having the motor so far back?

 

[Badger99]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

None. But that is the length bracket you need to be able to tilt a motor that size.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

Badger,<br /><br />I agree with one of the posts above about the fuel tank not being the best idea. The fuel tank will not keep the same consistent weight, but your issue is definetly a "Lack of Balast Problem". Don't trash the boat, it looks great and it obviously has a good motor on the back. Personnaly, I like a center console, but I am not sure that that will greatly improve the situation. It will lower the COG a little.<br /><br />Have you thought about using the inboard engine area to build in a large livewell and bait tank. This way, you fill it with water and you can keep water in it. At 8lbs per gallon, this would be even a larger amount of weight than the fuel tank. If you fish 40 miles offshore, you might could very well benefit from a livewell of that size. Another advantage to a live well, it you could drain it once the boat is back on the trailer and not have to "Tow" the extra weight. This seems to be the best way to incorporate practical into improvement of the situation.<br /><br />Knightgang

 

[bruce coleman]

Re: Seabird Rolls a lot

I have a 23' Seabird cuddy with I/O removed and transom glassed in on galvanized tandem trailer. No bracket. Cushions included. Had a 175 on it for a while. Still has Merc control and cables. Located eastern Tennessee. Make me an offer! Thanks in advance...