Advice for Dad

rjm337

Cadet
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
11
My Dad has a 19.5' Rinker with 190Hp Merc with the factory prop. When the water is choppy (large inland lake) he finds the boat gets thrown around. He normally operates with two adults and a 90lb kid in the boat.

Short of buying a new boat, he is looking for a way to improve the choppy water handling of this boat. The primary uses for the boat are transporting gear to island cottage (food, clothing...) touring and pulling a tube. I have suggested he consider adding balast in the ski locker and upgrade to a SS prop to compensate for the extra weight he is taking on from the balast.

Does anyone have any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks.
 

Splat

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
1,366
Re: Advice for Dad

What do you mean by thrown about?

Side to side, porpoising? Need a little more information here. Does he have trim tabs on the vessel allready? Is his complaint only in rough water or all the time?

Bill
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Advice for Dad

You are really kind of stuck where you are, adding weight may make it a little better but then you lose speed and get closer to your weight limit and to much weight in the wrong place canmake the boat handle badly.

I don't know that you could get enough weight safely in the boat to make a noticable difference, hull design and boat size have everything to do with ride and short of getting another boat I really don't know what can be done.

If they ever do get another boat look into a pontoon, they are the smoothest riding boats there are.
 

rjm337

Cadet
Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
11
Re: Advice for Dad

Mostly banging the boat around, not porposing. 1 foot chops, rarely whitecaps. No trim tabs.
 

Moody Blue

Captain
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
3,136
Re: Advice for Dad

Without actually being there, its hard to determine what you are describing. Most any pleasure boat will be bounced around somewhat in 1ft chop.

Can reduce the effects somewhat with proper trim of the motor and by proper driving technique. Are you getting a side-side jostling? That can be reduced thru the use of trim tabs.
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Advice for Dad

When the water gets rough tell him to back off the throttle. What you describe comes from going too fast for the water/wind conditions.
 

boat1010

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
781
Re: Advice for Dad

Contrary to popular beliefs.. SIZE DOES MATTER!!!
 

tmh

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 16, 2006
Messages
1,136
Re: Advice for Dad

Smart Tabs will help some.
 
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