Boating Advice

Gerry Mac · Sep 7, 2006

I have had several small aluminum boats over the years and about 5 years ago went to a 15' Fiberglass with a 65 HP Mercury. It was mostly for fishing and riding and handled very well even on rough water. It was rough but very stable. It was a tri-hull.

Just recently I went to a 17 1/2 foot Crestliner aluminum boat with a 90 Merc O/B on it. It is slightly used. I wanted more power to take my son and grandsons tubing and skiing. It has loads of power. I noticed immediately a significant handling difference. Where the F/Glass boat was dead steady off the line and up to plane this boat tips to the left off the line (about 6 inches over or feels like 6 inches anyway), Once it is on plane it levels out but doesn't feel as solid and stable as the f/glass boat. I like the very quiet motor and the extra power is certainly there but miss the solid feel of the f/glass boat.

Please advise:

1. Is this tipping over to the left a usual mannerisim for this type of boat? Is it caused by the power/weight difference from the old boat or do I have a problem?

2. If you that have used both f/glass and aluminum, did you notice this difference. Granted the new boat is much smoother but doesn't cut corners like the old tri-hull.

3. Is this just an adjustment period or do I take this back and get a f/glass hulled boat. I will still be fishing LOTS and many lakes are rocky to the extreme.

Thanks to all.

Q---Be nice.

Gerry Mac

edited for typos

Michael Lyons · Sep 7, 2006

The boat youare using now will be far less stable than a tri-hull, The "tilt" is due to the torque and the effect on the hull. This is a far different reaction than would be encountered by a tri-hull

Owner 16 Ft' Nitro 160TF Rick Clunn Edition "95"

Mike

Mike Valvardi · Sep 9, 2006

You could put a hydrofoil on the O/B motor just above the prop. This will aid in leveling out the boat so it doesn't tip to the left.; the hydrofoil acts as a stabilizer.

http://www.tigersharkvg.com/index.html

Wes Davis · Sep 9, 2006

Your boat will want to lean in the opposite direction of the prop spin. The hydrofoil will help and you can adjust the weight on the boat to offset such as repositioning battery, fuel tanks and anything else that is movable. If you purchased an older used boat you may also want to check for any water intrusion into the foam filled cavities if you have them. The foam can soak up water and become very heavy offsetting the balance of the boat but will appear dry to the casual observation.