Sandbags

[cleve]

Can someone explain sandbags? Where/what to buy? Do I just fill them myself with sand in my yard and chunk em in there?
Sorry for ignorance, but I want to try adding some weight to storage area in bow and figured this was a good option. The storage hatch on bow deck in not very large (maybe 12"x10"), so I can't really move batteries up there. Filling front livewell helps, but bow still raises a bit much for me on takeoff. And yes I have a foil/whale tail on the motor. I'm thinking start with 50#-100 lbs up there.
Boat is a 1993 17' Javelin bass.

 

[R055]

That's up to you, you can buy just the bag and fill it yourself and you can buy pre-filled sandbags.

 

[Gyrene]

I was in the Marines in Vietnam and have LOTS of sandbag experience...:laugh:

Seriously, I used sandbags to hold the base of a large umbrella near a pool - my experience said use the cleanest, coarsest sand/gravel you can get. The fine sand seemed to hold moisture and get "musty". I bought sandbags online, because I had a stream in backyard that would jump its banks - don't know where you can buy only 1 or 2 (but they are cheap enough to buy a bunch). I'd suggest a trip to Lowes, etc., and buy a bag of gravel and put it in a pillowcase (leave it in the plastic as well).

 

[ondarvr]

To see if it helps have somebody sit up there first. Or get Smart Tabs.

​I'd look for other issues first, is your trim and tilt working, is there water in the foam, etc.

 

[jkust]

I'm not really a species boat boater but if I was to have this issue, I would start down the road of finding a prop that can address some of this. There's a couple of nice Rangers on my lake that I see all the time and they seem to have a bit of bowrise out of the hole as well. Maybe just the nature of some of these hulls.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Not the way I'd go about it, but sandbags are easy,...

Smart tabs, 'n/ or a stern liftin' prop are the direction I'd go,....

 

[b.gagnon]

What size motor is on it????

Adding extra weight is not a good idea..... Tabs would be best..
If your engine is above 115hp you probably have a problem with your engine or setup.
How many RPM's are you turning at WOT???????

 

[SkaterRace]

Agreed sand might not be the best option, but if you want it I would put someone up front to test your idea and see if that helps.

 

[cleve]

Agree about not the best way to approach. But, the boat doesn't have a tach yet (in process) so don't know RPMs.
Figured I'd try adding some weight to the bow for now (not long term) until I figure out exactly why the boat is stern heavy or if it is what it is on that boat (what I was told by someone about the older Javelins & Stratos)
I don't THINK the foam is wet, but I haven't confirmed that. Rated for 115 and it has a Johnson 90hp that runs great (39.6 GPS). 13.25x17 AL prop. Boat handles great. Doesn't list to either side, no porposing, overall smooth riding/driving. But, it's stern heavy and swamps pretty good at stops. The front end is light enough that I can lift it up fairly easy by hand considering it's a fiberglass boat.

 

[crazy charlie]

If you are set in adding weight ,a better/cleaner option would be a ballast bag filled with water.they come in many size and shapes.Easy to fill and easier to remove water than sand.Before you get too involved with effort and cost I would recommend getting a few quality leaf bags and fill them to the quantity/weight you want and see if thats the route you want to go.That would be a good start .Charlie