Weight Distrubuting

[SpearDiver]

Hi I have a 15.6ft surf Master with 2x 40 4stroke suzuki`s, I use the boat for spearfishing, but there are to much weigth at the back. She rides nice as soon as she gets out of the water, but she slow out the hole.

I know weigth is important on a small cat, so my question is how far can I move console forward, its now at back third?

 

 

[Serra Moz]

Firstly

I would suggest you post some pics of your boat, deck layout ect, by doing this I am sure someone will be able to assist you.

 

[Rory]

does the nose climb into the air when you accelerate to get on the plane?

 

[SpearDiver]

Hi Rory,

Yes, the nose does climb into the air, that is with 2 men at back of console and one in front seat. 3 feul cans at back hatch. But as soonas she is out she runs very well.

The boat had 13" 3blade props when I got it, she over reved and struggeld even more, got a pair of 13" 4blades with as spares, when i tried them reves came down and little better out of the hole, so thinking go another prop size up?

Boat going in for new deck, console and fish hatches. So need to deside what goes where.

My idea so far  - move console 2/3 forward,

                        - Feul under console

                        - fish hatch at back(above the deck)

                        -

Including the only foto i have now, will post another foto later today.

 

[Rory]

couple of options
1 is fuel in hatch behind consol?
2 fit wedges between motors and transom can can be trimmed in further,
3 if you can move consol forward, all your cables may be to short and pipe going through deck may not let you/

 

[SpearDiver]

Here are some more pics

 

[dugongboy]

What do those 40's weigh??

 

[SpearDiver]

Hi

See photos did not upload, will try again.

The 40`s weigh 110kg each

 

 

 

[dugongboy]

That's heavy, the same weight as a 60 2str, IMO the boat is unbalanced and could be difficult to remedy??

 

[Rory]

there is a quick fix to test get 2 bags cement put them in the anchor hatches up front and off you go if this makes a difference then just replace with wet sand and off you go. have done it to many boats to get the weight right on the nose

 

[SpearDiver]

That is a good way to test, but not a solution.

Here is the problem = 3 divers + gear -> 300kg

                                 = 4 cans of feul  -> 100kg

then to add another 100kgs of sand were am I going to put my fish?

Its only a 15.6ft boat so weihgt important factor

 

I am busy redoing the deck, the last bit ofdeck comming off today.

having foam put in, new deck  and moving consle and feul to middle or 2/3 forward of boat(also dont want weight to far forward again).

 

[dugongboy]

As I said it could be difficult to remedy, I would say with hanging that much weight on the back that hull would be better off as a FC but you are def going in the right direction, the only problem (as you have pointed out) is that the boat becomes 'collectively' overweight and could be crap at sea.
It reminds me of a mates 14'6" SkiVee with 2x 40's on the back - unbalanced and just wrong.
Tell your mates to lose some weight??

 

[LawrenceF]

This is a case of look before you leap. IMO first test you should try is to get the boat to float unloaded in calm water, no pressure from any lines like anchor etc. See if it floats nice and level on its design water line. If it floats arse down the likelihood is that the buoyancy distribution is such that it just does not have enough buoyancy in the sponsons aft to support the engine weight. Loading it will make it worse. Sandbags in the nose may get the bow to sit down a bit but now you are making the whole boat sit lower in the water with possible other consequences. Moving things may help but do not expect dramatic improvements.

If the first test shows a problem try to get professional help. The centre of buyoancy can be calculated by someone who knows the formula. This needs volumetric measurements. Once you know that, they can help you to distribute weight by calculation rather than trial and error, which may waste time and money with no real improvement.

 

[Rory]

moving the consol is the right thing to do but they extra weight od the bags may make the boat sit 1cm deeper in the water not really a issue