Newbie Still - Few Questions

[DocG2828]

Hello again! Been having a blast enjoying my new boat...been out 4 times already in 2 weeks and its been raining most of the last two weeks. Couple questions if I may....<br /><br />Any way to protect the hull of my boat in the bow....the paint/coating (whatever it is) is already chipping off where the hull hits the stop at the trailer.<br /><br />We usually boat with a load of 4 people. 17.5' bowrider. I'm about 150lbs..my wife is about the same...but our friends are like 200 and 250. One day we were out and the river had some waves on it, and we hit the wake of some barges. We were sitting with me in drivers, wife next to me...and our friends in the back. Welll.....we hit that wake and I thought the boat was gonna flip over backwards! My heart stopped. I wasn't sure if I should hit the gas or slow down...was probably doing about 15mph. I obviously figured out quick that our friends had to sit up front. The boat seems to ride much better with the weight in front. Anyways, any tips on properly loading the boat with the above mentioned passengers and weight...assuming I'm driving? Also, we haven't really maxed out the speed yet since we're in break-in, so we probably haven't had it truly on plane yet...but will adjusting trim help when going slower as well?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[KRS]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

The paint shouldn't chip where it meets the bowstop/roller. If it's chippping, I would guess that the metal frame of the trailer is hitting the bowstop. Is the trailer new? (new rubber bowstop)?<br /><br />With heft like that onboard (I'm 6'7" tall and 30 lbs) you need to have some of it up front, like you did.<br /><br />Glad you had a good time

 

[DocG2828]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

Yeah, the boat and trailer are both brand new.

 

[KCook]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

Putting people in the bow can smooth out the ride on mild chop. But result in disaster with a big wake. Here is another thread on wakes -<br /><br /> dealing with wakes <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

If it is new and gelcoat is chipping you better get it back to the dealer.<br />Trim adjustment helps at all speeds and water conditions.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

if you can arrange it diplomaticly. you drive, hefty female friend in bow on your side, hefty male in passenger seat, your wife passenger bow. this will help balance the load , and plane faster. in rough weather move females to back on the same sides.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

Try weight watchers for your heavy friends. Seriously though, weight in the bow will help you plane faster, but the ride can be uncomfortable for the passengers if the water is choppy. A set of trim tabs (search for Smart Tabs in this forum) can really help with the stability.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

It sounds as if your trailer might not be adjusted correctly if it is hitting when putting it on the trailer.<br /><br />You may also get a Keelshield or Keel guard installed. It will help keep the front part of keel from getting scratched in situations like this or if you are beaching..

 

[npd4432]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

I have had some good results with the line of 3M marine products. You can get the gelcoat cleaner wax or compound and it will protect your gelcoat for years to come. I leave my boat in the water all year and wax / buff it before every season and have used several products in the past. The 3M products just seem to keep better throughout the year. When taking my boat out of the water for the season the "goop" that builds up on the bottom comes right off with a power washer when using the 3M line. You can purchase at any local store, K mart, wal mart.<br />Have fun!!

 

[DocG2828]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

Well the guy is pretty solid....and his wife is tall, but does have some extra weight. We've actually had it arranged where our two friends don't sit on the same side since they're both heavier than us. This kinda happened naturally when they both sat on the same side the first time and noticed the boat "leaned." <br /><br />I looked at the hull again last night and can't figure out why its scraping. Its definetely getting scraped right where the stop is. I think I know the problem. The guy who launches the boats at the marina...when you're coming to the trailer, he wants you to use the boats power to drive it all the way up until it hits the stop rather than ratcheting it up? Is this normal? Could this be doing it? It doesn't hit hard...but it probably hits harder than if the boat was ratcheted up the last few inches. <br /><br />Saw a boat yesterday with a stainless steel plate covering that area of the hull...sounds like that might be a good investment.

 

[bamadave]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

Determine what the boat is hitting on the trailer. You should have a rolleror a rubber v that the bow should be pulled up to. If you have chipped the gelcoat, it needs to be repaired before the fiberglass starts breaking down.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

Ta' hell with how "he" wants you to drive the boat up on your own trailer. Tell him to stuff it, it's your boat and your trailer. Since when is someone else launching people's boats at a boat ramp?<br /><br />Anyway, you have a brand new rig, keep it looking that way by operating it the way YOU want to. If that guy doesn't like it screw him. Go find another launch.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

I'd bring it within a few inches then ratchet the rest myself.<br /><br />

Originally posted by DocG2828:<br /> The guy who launches the boats at the marina...when you're coming to the trailer, he wants you to use the boats power to drive it all the way up until it hits the stop rather than ratcheting it up? Is this normal?

 

[DocG2828]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

Well the launch I use is at the marina I store the boat at....so taking it to another launch is not an option. I'm sure if I talked with the guy nicely...he wouldn't care if I ratcheted it in....I just didn't know which way was better. The scuffs may be from hittin something in the water...such as a log or something. I don't remember hitting anything really large, but who knows.

 

[StratMan290FS]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

When you hit this barge wake, was your motor trim all the way down? Since you say you havent truly planed it out yet, i would doubt you have the motor trimmed up a lot. But in any case, when going slow and hitting wake keeping the motor trimmed down keeps more of the boat in the water..

 

[StratMan290FS]

Re: Newbie Still - Few Questions

Also if you have 750 in weight w/4 people and depending on how much gear you have on board you may want to watch the total wieght capacity of the boat if you plan to add more people as well. The coast guard at the lake i frequent check this quite a lot.