How much effect does weight have

[tractoman]

Can you tell when you have more or less weight in your boat? We took out some friends this weekend and the boat seemed to take longer to get on plane and work more to get up to cruising speed. I figure our fiends and their gear added about 550lbs that we are not used to. Would this amount of weight be noticeable?

 

[Dkrager]

Re: How much effect does weight have

Yes, weight has a big effect!!! Weight will affect how a boat handles and performs. I've had a 18' bowrider before and top speed with one person was around 50mph, with 7 people 35mph, and hard to get on plane.

Where the weight is located also will make a huge difference. Especially on boats under 22'.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: How much effect does weight have

Absolutely.

550 lbs is a significant change for that size of boat.

What's the maximum load anyway?

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: How much effect does weight have

Can you tell when you have more or less weight in your boat? We took out some friends this weekend and the boat seemed to take longer to get on plane and work more to get up to cruising speed. I figure our fiends and their gear added about 550lbs that we are not used to. Would this amount of weight be noticeable?

Depends on the size of your boat. I'm guessing your boat is about 17-20 feet and probably weighs around 3500-5000 pounds not including the people standing in it. If it weighs 5000 pounds, 550 is over 10% increase in weight overall. That's significant.

 

[brick75]

Re: How much effect does weight have

Yea, big difference. If you get some extra weight up in the bow, you'll get on plane faster.

 

[tractoman]

Re: How much effect does weight have

It is an 18.5 foot Sea Ray with 8 person or 1200 lb capacity. My kids, wife and I together are about 400lbs. The boat is 2750lbs dry according to Sea Ray.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: How much effect does weight have

If you want to test that theory, next time put them on your back and carry them up the ramp... you'll notice it and so does your boat.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: How much effect does weight have

If you want to test that theory, next time put them on your back and carry them up the ramp... you'll notice it and so does your boat.

Simple and to the point! Well said.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: How much effect does weight have

Yes, weight has a big effect!!! Weight will affect how a boat handles and performs. I've had a 18' bowrider before and top speed with one person was around 50mph, with 7 people 35mph, and hard to get on plane.

Where the weight is located also will make a huge difference. Especially on boats under 22'.

Yes, weight has a big effect!!! Weight will affect how a boat handles and performs.

Well said!

 

[Stachi]

Re: How much effect does weight have

if you want to test that theory, next time put them on your back and carry them up the ramp... You'll notice it and so does your boat.

ahhhhahahahahaha ! :d

 

[jkust]

Re: How much effect does weight have

It will make a big difference. There are a lot of variables like people mentioned. It is interesting you can get an 18 footer that weighs 2100 lbs and another 18er that is 3000 lbs with the same 4.3. Then add on to that the 2100 probably has a tiny gas tank and the other tank is probably 30% larger. When you wet it all down and really load it up, I gotta think the heavier boat is going to struggle on plane, top end etc. My boat is really at the edge of what a carbed 4.3 should be pushing IMO. Adding just 2 more adults and it is evident why they make v8's. They did an article in one of the boating magazines a couple years back where they overloaded bowriders to test the effects. One of the shockers was one of the boats handled better overloaded than appropriatly loaded. I don't recall the testing process and your post made me recall the article.

 

[dingbat]

Re: How much effect does weight have

Depends on hull and power plant.

The dry weight of my 22' is just about 5,000 lbs. Boat is rated at 1,340 lbs in passengers and another 1,200 lbs. in fuel. Makes the total payload @ 2,540 lbs. Typically don't keep the reserve tank fuel and 3 guys weight @ 700 lbs so I have about 1,000lbs. to spare.

The motor and prop is sized for the full load. The boat wouldn't complain much about 550 lbs. That's only 1/2 loaded