Weight Ballance Question

[HenryFrap]

I'm in the process of restoring/modifying my great-grandfather's Lone Star Commander aluminum boat and have posted a few questions on here from time to time with some great responses. . . Here's another one for you. . .

It's a 14-foot V-hull boat, with a 25 hp, trolling motor, and gas tank weighing down the stern (along with whoever is driving). I devised a casting deck for the bow (marine wood) as well as a "console" that sits behind the front seat--it holds a cooler in the middle with room on both sides for storage. It's on this that I'm thinking of placing the trolling motor battery and running the wiring under the gunwale to the back of the boat, but will this be enough weight in the front of the boat to counter the lbs. in the back? Should I get a spare battery up there as well, or an anchor stored under the seat?

I don't have the latest pics on this computer but will try to post them ASAP to get any other thoughts/opinions from anyone who cares to share them. Thanks for the help!

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

Yea pics would help. But this is one of those things where you just kinda have to try things out and see what works the best. Have you thought about putting the gas tank up front? Im not sure that would work for you though because like i said it is something where you are going to have to just try things out til you get what you want as far as how the ride of the boat is. Another thing you want to keep in mind is it might be different if you drive the boat on plane or does it just troll around? That might make a little difference as far as what you are doing with the weight distribution.

 

[HenryFrap]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

It's funny you say that, my great-grandpa actually built a gas tank "storage box" in the 60s that sat in the middle of the boat with a line running out the side and to the motor. . . I removed it because it took up a lot of space and I wanted to make room for a cooler and additional storage. I thought the trolling motor battery would be a good substitute for that weight, but you're right, it's hard to tell without pics. . . I'll try to get them up. . .

As far as planing, it gets up with not problems because it's a good motor, but i usually have someone sitting in the front so I don't know if it would do the same if I were fishing alone. . . My main concern is when the boat is in "fishing mode". . . aka Water spilling over the side in low spots. . .

Trial and error does seem the best method here. . . but with spring a ways out I was hoping to make a more "calculated" estimate beforehand. I'm learning it's hard to do!

 

[DJ]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

Typically, other than the occupants, fuel, battery and coolers weigh the most, in that order.

Put the battery and fuel as close to adminships as you can.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

this was my Lonestar, put gas tank behind middle seat, battery for troller under front seat. then i added stick steering and controls to middle seat, and moved tank to stern.

 

[HenryFrap]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

As promised, here are some pics of the project in case anyhone has some ideas. The "console" that holds the cooler is molded to fit the slight V shape of the bottom, and on the sides I placed two boards (about 16 inches long and 10.5 inches wide at the widest portion). . . I was thinking of placing a battery box on the left side (opposite side of the stern seat where the anyone running motor would sit). . . There are already some holes that I can run the wiring through.

I should also note the I removed the storage boxes in the stern seat because I felt it made a person sit too high and threw off the center of gravity.

Any other thoughts after seeing pics?
Is placing a battery and possibly an anchor (in the storage hatch) enough to balance out the boat???

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

if boating alone, i seriously doubt it. i had problems with the 15 hp wanting to stand on the tale, instead of planing. that's why i finally put controls at the middle seat.

nice boat.

 

[oops!]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

with a twenty five on it...ittl dig......i say run with the renos your doing...looks good btw....and test her....you can allways move a cooler or batt a little farther foward...or just do like td and add a stering wheel to that be-u-t-ful console

cheers
oops

 

[oops!]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

and ......welcome to i boats

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

 

[HenryFrap]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

Thanks for the tips!. . . I'm in the process of painting right now because my trailer is still at the sandbalster. Once I get it back I'll take it out and let you all know what i found out. As I was typing last night I started thinking of other options so now with the additional ones posted here, I'm hoping I'll figure it out. . . Should have paid more attention in high-school physics class I guess

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Weight Ballance Question

also adjusting the tilt pin, can help, adjusting the leg closer to the transom, pushes the bow down, away from the transom, pushes the bow up. you need to find the happy medium. one reason trim & tilt is so popular.