It feels like the stern is sinking.

[sam60]

It feels like the stern is sinking. After seeing a picture that our Daughter took from their boat, it looks like it also.

I have all of the weight that I can get in the bow (other than passengers), Does this look right? Putting just outside of the no wake zone.

 

[generator12]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

Is your bilge area dry? If your stern is really low - and I can't judge it from this picture - it would likely be due to an incursion of water into the rear of the boat, no?

If it's dry and you have no unusual weight back there, it's probably normal for your style hull.

Let see what the others say.

 

[rallyart]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

The bow wake makes it look like you are going faster than displacement speeds. Maybe 8-10 mph or a bit more. If that is the case, the bow will start to lift and the stern will drop as you push water. Basically then you are plowing and using quite a bit more fuel than when you are up on plane cruising.
If that's the case the stern is sinking and it is normal. Go slower, or faster, and you've solved the problem.

 

[JoLin]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

The bow wake makes it look like you are going faster than displacement speeds. Maybe 8-10 mph or a bit more. If that is the case, the bow will start to lift and the stern will drop as you push water. Basically then you are plowing and using quite a bit more fuel than when you are up on plane cruising.
If that's the case the stern is sinking and it is normal. Go slower, or faster, and you've solved the problem.

Very logical explanation. On several occasions I've followed slower boats than mine at sub-planing speed, and Escapade's stern digs a huge hole in the water.

What was your speed when that pic was taken?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

Really hard to tell just from a picture. If you are wicked concerned, then maybe look at the water line while it is stationary in the water.

Keep in mind that when the boat is transitioning from 'displacement' to 'planing' there is a sinking effect that happens at the top end of displacement speed.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

Have you checked below deck for saturated foam? Waterlogged foam adds a lot of weight to a boat and that'll make it sit lower in the water.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

You also have a 25'er with a big block positioned at the very stern. These cruisers don't have a lot if weight up front. My old 29'er used to run stern down just due to the nature of the boat and weight distribution.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

given that it is going fast enough to start forming a bow wake, I'd say that looks entirely normal. If it were stationary, something would be up though.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

It's not clear, but is that 2 people standing at the stern? If so, that obviously contributes to the low stern aspect.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

Have you checked below deck for saturated foam? Waterlogged foam adds a lot of weight to a boat and that'll make it sit lower in the water.

Kind of doubt a 25' boat has any foam in it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

Kind of doubt a 25' boat has any foam in it.

wasn't mandatory, but lots of boats of that size have foam.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

wasn't mandatory, but lots of boats of that size have foam.

I have owned 3 boats 24' and over and none have had foam. My brother has owned 2 24' and over and neither of them have had foam.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

...look at the water line while it is stationary in the water...

+1
Way too many variables when you are moving.

Look at it at rest, with a light load, and all crew near the helm station.
It will likely look more like the brochures then!

 

[rbh]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

That's pretty natural, the torque from the prop is pushing the bow up and forcing the stern down.

Just think about how much water your pushing before you get up on plain.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

I have owned 3 boats 24' and over and none have had foam. My brother has owned 2 24' and over and neither of them have had foam.

My 33' boat has foam . . . mostly for structural reasons . . . probably not enough to float the thing. I forget where the cut-off is for 'positive floatation' as a requirement in boats . . . 24 ft?? maybe 26ft ???

My 24 foot boat had positive floatation . .

As stated, if it is truely low in the water, I'd start looking for saturation, trapped water, etc. . . . or maybe just a really full tank of gas

 

[bruceb58]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

The cut off is 20'.

Interesting your 33' Formula has foam. My brother's 26' Formula does not.

EDIT: I see you were talking structural. Totally different than floatation foam. Structural foam is completely encapsulated in fiberglass.

 

[salty87]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

you have trim tabs?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

EDIT: I see you were talking structural. Totally different than floatation foam. Structural foam is completely encapsulated in fiberglass.

... and if water never penetrated fiberglass, the stringers and transoms wouldn't rot in fiberglass boats.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.

... and if water never penetrated fiberglass, the stringers and transoms wouldn't rot in fiberglass boats.

LOL..Now you are really reaching! Structural sections that use foam are relatively small. Nothing compared to the volume of foam that would be used as floatation.

 

[sam60]

Re: It feels like the stern is sinking.



I guess it's OK. Scuppers and swim deck are above the waterline. :facepalm: