Need help on balancing a bass boat

[rcb]

New to the forum so take it easy on me. I own a 1991 Stratos 274 (17') with a Mariner Mag II 150hp that I have no increase to approx. 175hp turning 6200rpm, 150 psi compression, 200 header, cf reeds, heads by Jay Smith racing and running a small gear case with 1.78 gears and 22 or 23 pitch Lazer prop. Never had a chine walking issue with the 150hp since I could barely reach 58 mph. Now with the added hp and better jack plate and a proper prop, I can reach 69.6 mph on the GPS with only myself and a half tank of gas. The chine walking starts at about 65 and get wild at 69 and I still have a little more I could push it. Read several articles on correction and needing seat time. I've got the seat time but think I can improve it with a properly balanced boat. I fish by self mainly (99%) and thinking about shifting my cranking batt over to the passenger side with the trolling mtr batts. I know that I can shift weight, go for a ride and then shift more weight and repeat until I get the best performance. Wanting to take a short cut and start with a 6' level on transom and me (175#) sitting in the drivers seat, all my normall fishing gear on passenger side and towards the back, motor down and still close to the dock and add weight to the passenger seat until the boat is level at the dock. Get an idea of the weight needed, at the weight under the seat then fine tune running.
Will the dock side level idea give me a close balance or am I wasting my time with this idea.
Thanks in advance,
Rodney

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: Need help on balancing a bass boat

your idea of using a level could help. check to make sure the boat is level without you on it as well. most boats dont sit perfectly level in the water.

have you run the boat with a similar sized friend sitting on the other side? i would think that would at least give you an idea of what the handling changes might be after your balancing.

 

[rcb]

Re: Need help on balancing a bass boat

your idea of using a level could help. check to make sure the boat is level without you on it as well. most boats dont sit perfectly level in the water.

have you run the boat with a similar sized friend sitting on the other side? i would think that would at least give you an idea of what the handling changes might be after your balancing.

The boat runs more stable with another passenger, but much slower maybe 7 mph. Since i run 99% of the by myself I guess I should first shift the all the heavy load (like the cranking batt) from the drivers side to the other side and go from their. Just shifting a battery is about 50# thus 100# net right? +50 port and -50 starboard = a net 100#
I guess I'm asking should my boat be close to static level with just me in it before running?
Additional info is welcomed and thanks for your help

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need help on balancing a bass boat

wouldn't the dead rise and any steps in the hull mean that the relative position of the boat sitting isn't necessarily the same on a plane? I'm talking about bow to stern level. Port to starboard, you should be right.

 

[rcb]

Re: Need help on balancing a bass boat

wouldn't the dead rise and any steps in the hull mean that the relative position of the boat sitting isn't necessarily the same on a plane? I'm talking about bow to stern level. Port to starboard, you should be right.

As you can tell, I'm new to trying to balance a boat but your statement is making me feel that a preliminary static balance at the dock (non running) with my normal load should give me a head start in trying to balance the port to starboard chine walking issue. If I understand chine walking it's when the boat rocks from side to side trying to stay on the pad. Like I stated I've read several very good articles on this subject and it appears balance is critical, then seat time and learning to compensate by minor steering correction. These can only be mastered with seat time and a good starting point with slow progression. Correct me if I'm wrong or headed in the wrong direction with this balancing idea. Thank you for your input.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need help on balancing a bass boat

I stand corrected; if you are leveling port to starboard. Your set-up at the dock should be a good indicator.

Set your beer all the way to port and move it towards you by degrees to find equilibrium. But for every sip, you are transferring weight from port (the beer can) to starboard (your belly) so you have to move it back a degree. when it blows overboard, time for another.

 

[rcb]

Re: Need help on balancing a bass boat

I stand corrected; if you are leveling port to starboard. Your set-up at the dock should be a good indicator.

Set your beer all the way to port and move it towards you by degrees to find equilibrium. But for every sip, you are transferring weight from port (the beer can) to starboard (your belly) so you have to move it back a degree. when it blows overboard, time for another.

Valid point but what if it's a bottle beer? Will the same apply? Thanks for the humor, been a hard day at work and this gave me a pickup.

Thanks again for your help. I think this is the direction I will take.
Rodney