Bass Boat, Is it just me?

[Novax]

Ok, so is it just me or do Bass boats seem to want to take on water when stopping? I never noticed this when I was in my flat bottom but this bass boat just seems like it wants to take on water when slowing down or stopping...kinda scary considering I CAN'T SWIM! I took this boat to the lake the other day and was scared of it LOL, it just seemed like it was going to go under motor first...not to mention that my father in law said he has seen them do it... Is it possible or am I just paranoid? There is an awful lot of extra weight in the stern, motor, gas tank, oil tank, two batteries. I would hate to be out on the deepest part of the lake and lose my boat...

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

I've heard of it happening, but have never seen it. Alot of boats look like they're going to take on water when stopping or slowing, but it never happens because the water pushes the boat just like a surf board on a wave.

Now reversing (driving the boat backwards) into waves/swells will certainly fill a boat with water, and a lot of boats have sunk because of this.

Is your boat a new boat or an old boat? How long is your boat, over 20'?

If you can't swim I strongly suggest you wear your PFD every second you're on a boat. When something happens to put you in the water it'll happen in the blink of an eye and there will not be time to put on a PFD before you go in... there won't even be enough time for you to think about a PFD or say those 3 letters.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

Yep, this is a common occurrence with these boats. It has to do with the low transom. Do NOT completely cut the throttle when on plane; you need to slow down gradually.

 

[Novax]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

The boat is a 1986 Astroglass 17.5' I always wear my PFD even before getting in the boat.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

What NYBo said. It's the same with all boats basically. You slow down to fast and the water catches up and you can swamp the boat. Especially a bass boat because of the low transom.I have seen 30 ft cruisers take water in the boat over the swim platform into the boat by doing just that

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

It's called backwash and almost all bass boats do it. Like stated the transoms are low and the weight at the stern doesn't help either. It's really nothing to worry about, but there are a few things you can do to minimize it.

Come off plane slowly and trim down as the boat is dropping off plane. If you want, when you fully drop off plane you can blip the throttle for a second as the wake catches up to you to outrun it a little bit. It takes a little practice but you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

Yes they do and for most that is normal. Buttttt you can control that. Coming off plane, don't chop the throttle completely. Leave the rpms up somewhat till the following wake catches up to you then chop the throttle. A little practice with time and rpms will make you an expert.

Mark

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

Another trick is to make a turn (to port or starboard) when quickly coming off plane.

 

[gm280]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

Oh yes I do remember my Bass Boat doing that as well. It actually looked like the transom was well under the water level each time I stopped, but somehow it never did flood in. I can remember taking folks fishing with me and they thought the same thing. But I never had any problems and got used to it pretty quickly and it never bothered me again. Oh and for the record, I can't swim either. In fact I had a friend ask me why I had my life vest on before I got out of the truck to drive my boat off the trailer... Better to be safe than sorry. I have a neighbor that can swim but now has a lot of medical problems and he said one time that he should wear his now...but he doesn't. One blink of the eye and things can and do change and even a little cool water can change a person’s ability to swim very quickly. Amazing how tired a great swimmer can get in a hurry from cold water AND older age. Even a great swimmer can be unconscious in the water and drown... Be safe...wear your vest!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

all part of learning your boat. All boat designs have trade-off's and that is one bad feature of that type boat.

I have often used the stern wake to lift me over a sand bar, too. PLay around with it; just be ready (and have a clear shot out front) to goose it if it catches up.

Also hulls are designed to recover (float) in many circumstances when it looks like they are about to swamp, roll, stuff, etc.

Be sure your transom well is sealed or know where the holes are; some have the control cables coming through a big gaping hole. Boots can help but aren't reliable as water-tight. if you ship too much water into the transom well a quick goose will drain it back over. Practice that, too.

 

[Novax]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

Thank you all for the advice, I'll keep it all in mind (Hopefully) the next time I go out.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

I didn't have a bass boat at the time but rather a 19 foot Century open bow with a 351 Ford I/O. My daughter had a boyfriend at the time who I knew couldn't swim and he knew I wasn't particular fond of him. My favorite activity was scaring the be-jeepers out of him by chopping the throttle and watching that huge wake sneak up on the back of the boat. There was never any danger of overwashing the transom but he didn't know that. A few trips and he no longer wanted to go with us. But yes, coming off plane gradually and keeping just a bit of power on will greatly reduce the tendency to overwash the stern.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

I guess he was smart enough not to go flying with you....

 

[gm280]

Re: Bass Boat, Is it just me?

I guess he was smart enough not to go flying with you....

I can't fly either but somehow I don't think a life vest will help you out with that problem. However, you can use your seat cushion for a floatation device...:laugh: :laugh: