How Much Weight In The Back?

[NeWcS]

I just got a 14' v-hull and wanted to make sure im not weighting it down to much in the back. <br /><br />I have a 15hp Johnson, Gas tank, 115amp Battery(50lbs), Small Battery(10lbs) and trolling motor. I will also be sitting towords the back. Will this cause the boat to not ride straight with all the weight in the back or are they made to deal with this?<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />-Jay

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: How Much Weight In The Back?

If that's a rowboat, they're made to have the guy in the middle. The motor part is just a convenience and you have to position your weight evenly, not all at the back. That can be accomplished with a long fuel line placing the tank in the bow. You probably also have an anchor, so keep it in the bow. A fishing buddy is the easiest way to balance the load.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: How Much Weight In The Back?

With that size motor, sounds like you have tiller steering.<br /><br />If it's remote, why do you have to sit near the stern? is it just the seating? If so - maybe you could reposition to improve the boat balance?<br /><br />Don't put too much weight for'ard - use a lightweight fishing buddy - 36/24/36 preferably.

 

[NeWcS]

Re: How Much Weight In The Back?

The steering is done from the motor its self. I wish it was remote.<br /><br />Maybe ill put the batteries in the middle to even the weight out alittle.<br /><br />-Jay

 

[John_S]

Re: How Much Weight In The Back?

I have extended the gas line and made trolling motor extention cables to keep the gas tank and battery forward in my 14' boat. My battery is probably twice as heavy as yours. Both the battery and gas tank reside between the front and middle bench seats. These are two big items you would want out of your way, anyway. Need more room for fishing gear Unless the anchor is used very infrequent, you will want that close by.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: How Much Weight In The Back?

Hello, I have a 12 footer with about the same equipment as you. I keep my batteries up front with the trolling motor and try to throw all my fishing gear up there too. The gas tank, 15 HP Evinrude, and me are all in the back. The boat was ok until I got going around 10 or 15 MPH then the bow would come up real high and it was hard for me to see where I was going ... got a little scary in choppy water too. To fix this, I put on some automatic trim tabs. Solved my problem right away - boat rides high and dry with only me in it. I have to adjust the trim of the motor when someone is fishing with me or else the bow plows the water a little bit and then it's a high WET ride! <br /><br />I think the tabs were about $130 or so and to me, very much worth it.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: How Much Weight In The Back?

Small trim tab set should fix it.<br />Best few bob you could spend to adjust the fore/aft attitude. Ignore bank manager's attitude.