Inflatable Boat Problems!

[Shawn902]

Hi, I'm new to the forums!

I am completely new to boating and have just purchased a brand new 10' soft bottom inflatable boat and I have an 2003 Honda four stroke 8 HP motor. I had them out on the water for the first time this weekend and when it was just myself in the boat, I would accelerate; the bow came right up.

The boat is rated for 10 HP and when I had my wife with me sitting at the very front of the boat, the boat screamed across the water; it was great!

I have heard things about trim tabs for the motor?? Am I doing something wrong with the placement of the motor? Is there different ways to position it for different types and sizes of boats??

Sorry if this sounds crazy, but this is all new to me!!

Thanks for your help!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Inflatable Boat Problems!

Trimming in might help, but it's just a weight imbalance. Put something else in the front when the admiral's not along.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Inflatable Boat Problems!

Place engine thrust rod in 2-3 hole out from transom and place lady up front at bow, will help balance sib much better with little bow rise untill on plane. Check individually which hole makes boat paralell to sea level once on plane.

Happy Boating

 

[saltycat]

Re: Inflatable Boat Problems!

If is an air floor make sure the floor is inflated at the proper presure (7 to 11 psi depending on brand and model) that in most cases cannot be achived with the pump that comes with the boat.
Saltycat

 

[lncoop]

Re: Inflatable Boat Problems!

Guys, unless I misread he only experiences this issue when there's no weight (the admiral) in the front of the boat. Shawn, get one of those balance scales and put the admiral on one side and start piling gear on the other. When the two sides balance run like h**l, and after the admiral has caught you and beaten you nearly to death with a piece of the scales try and remember what the weight was so you can replicate it in the front of the boat.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Inflatable Boat Problems!

If you are boating alone, move yourself forward to a position to have an extended arm to hold confortably the throttle grip, you can secure gas tank, anchor at bow for better sib balance. Trim right your engine as explained before and out you go. If it's more confortable for you, try sitting on sib's deck, can place your back against tubes. Can sit on top of a live vest to gain higher forward vision if needed. If you are a heavy guy sittiing on deck will help balance sib sideways better than sitting on tubes.

http://www.pbase.com/locozodiac/image/100975672
http://www.pbase.com/locozodiac/image/93145022

Happy Boating

 

[partskenn]

Re: Inflatable Boat Problems!

Guys, unless I misread he only experiences this issue when there's no weight (the admiral) in the front of the boat. Shawn, get one of those balance scales and put the admiral on one side and start piling gear on the other. When the two sides balance run like h**l, and after the admiral has caught you and beaten you nearly to death with a piece of the scales try and remember what the weight was so you can replicate it in the front of the boat.

I like it, be sure to let us know how it works out.

 

[Helmuth]

Re: Inflatable Boat Problems!

If your problem persists, you may want to take a look at Maxi Marine trim tabs at http://maximarine.com/products/lifters.



Best regards,

Helmuth
Maxi Marine

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Inflatable Boat Problems!

If sib is well trimed, balanced transom to bow and with correct HP engine, won't need any trim tab model or hydrofoils.

Happy Boating