Boat leans in water without people!

stunod

Seaman
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
55
Hi Everyone,<br /><br />I have a 1983 21 foot mark twain and today I noticed that it leans to the right as if 1 adult were on the right side.When I get in, it now leans as if there were 2 people on the right. I have nothing in the boat that would unbalance it.<br /><br />Has anyone heard of boats leaning??<br />What causes this?<br /><br />Thanks in advance,<br />Lou
 

Franki

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 16, 2002
Messages
1,059
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

Well, there is a few things, but generally related... do you have floatation maaterial underfloor? if so, can you check if its waterlogged? <br /><br />Is the boat permanently moored? if so, thats even more important to check.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank
 

stunod

Seaman
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
55
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

wow..I didn't even think of that. It is tied to the right side......I feel so :eek: stupid.
 

oldboat1

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
9,612
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

still might have a lean, though. My 25' Chris Craft sits an inch or so lower on the port side (looking at the transom). The steering station is on the right, so I guess when I'm in there it sits about even.
 

stunod

Seaman
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
55
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

Well I checked today and being Tied to the dock isn't leaning the boat.<br /><br />As a matter of fact, I put everything that was on the right side (side that leans) and move it all to the left (including Maps!!) and it still leans. This is very annoying to look at and drive by myself. <br /><br />Anyone ever heard of a boat tilting?<br />What can cause this??<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Lou
 

ODDD1

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 23, 2001
Messages
1,054
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

Stunod, I just could not leave your last question alone....it lists to one side because that side is heavier!! LOL...start lookin around the harbor..ALOT of boats dont sit level in the water...move something heavy to the light side...[battery?]
 

Franki

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 16, 2002
Messages
1,059
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

Well, there are two things that make a boat lean..<br /><br />1. Weight bias to one side.<br />2. Floatation bias to one side. (not really applicable to a "not sinking" boat :)<br /><br />you have to find out why your boat is is weighted heavier on one side.<br /><br />Stuff To Check.<br />1. Is there water trapped in underfloor compartment?<br />2. Is your fuel tank off center, and have you checked with fuel tank both empty and full to see if there is a difference?<br />3. Battery, where is it? is it centered?<br />(battery not likely to make alot of difference to a boat that size.)<br />4. live wells/bait tanks.. full empty? centered?<br />5. Water impregnation. Is this boat permanently mooored? water can soak into fiberglass over time, more so if your gel coat is damaged in places.. (i heard of a case where a 55footer and half a ton of water in the fiberglass when they pulled it out for its yearly)<br /><br />Basically, look around your boat for movable items of any weight and center them.. see if that helps.<br /><br />not much you can easily do otherwise.. you could pull it out of the water and rig up some system to tell you what the weight differential is from one side to the other, but that wouldn't really be a huge help.. (though it would certainly help to some degree to know what the difference is.)<br /><br />just some thoughts.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank
 

sea wolf

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
1,219
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

how long have u owned the boat? did the lean just start happening? if so i would check for water logged foam. good luck.
 

stunod

Seaman
Joined
Apr 8, 2002
Messages
55
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

Hi Again,<br /><br />To answer to 2 new replys,<br /><br />Everything is balanced and there is no (visible) signs of gel damage. And yes, this is the 1st year with this boat so I don't know if it always was like that.<br /><br />I also have a trim tab problem because the faster i go, the more it leans to the right. If I let go of the wheel, it turns to the left FAST!<br /><br />I think my mechanic replaced the tab with a flat one because of the new prop size.
 

G DANE

Commander
Joined
Nov 24, 2001
Messages
2,476
Re: Boat leans in water without people!

My boat leans too, but i found out the reason was that i always turned my outboard to the right before tilting up. When turned to the left, it leaned to the other side.
 
Top