Boat leaning to the right when I get in...

[mrdad990]

So my boat is a small 16ft invader (1981) with old 85hp 1977 johnson, manual trim tabs. Battery is on my side but two 6gal gas tanks are on the left and middle in the back of the boat with the battery. When I get in my boat will stay tilted to the right dipping down. When I am on the left side there is no dip so naturally when I get fishing I just stand up while driving in rough sea so it stays level... anyone have any idea of why its dipping to the right but not the left side?

 

[Alumarine]

I'm guessing you and the battery weigh more than 6 gallons of fuel?

 

[Stinnett21]

So you only have one 6 gal tank on the left? Full it only weighs about 40 lbs. Move everything you can to the left. Do the trim tabs not make a difference?

 

[Scott Danforth]

6 gallons of fuel is 40.92#, with the tank maybe 55#
a group 24 battery is 50#
and you weigh????? between 150# and 250#?

 

[mr 88]

OP stated 2 - 6 gallon tanks of fuel ,which are not going to be full during the course of a day, but that would offset his weight a bit more . If he is talking about while underway , my guess is prop torque more than the "ballast " location as it seems to be somewhat distributing correctly ,depending on the OP's weight.

 

[roscoe]

2nd tank is in the center, one tank on port, battery on starboard, net effect, level, until fuel is consumed.

Solutions to counter his weight in the boat:

Get a fishing partner, or use the right tool for the job - get a fishing boat, preferably a center console.

 

[southkogs]

Question #1: Has it done this ever since you've had it, or is this something new?

Question #2: It's listing to the right when you stand on the right side, but it doesn't list the left when you stand on that side & it only does this while sitting still, correct? Any sign of water intrusion on the boat? (And by that I mean that the wood components on the right side are water logged)

 

[JimS123]

A 16 footer with trim tabs is kinda unusual. Are we talking about the same thing?

A little boat like that with a big motor will typically pull to the right with an unadjusted trim tab on the motor, due to a right hand rotation prop. However, if the trim tab is adjusted incorrectly, it could pull in either direction.

Check which way the engine tab is pointing, or if in fact it broke off, and report back.

Also, check the alignment of the hull trim tabs (if that is what you have) and see if they are causing a list.

This could be a simple adjustment or a waterlogged boat.

 

[gm280]

Unless water is rolling in, what's the problem? You could buy a few bags of play sand and set them on the left side... I say unless it is dangerous, just fish!

 

[JimS123]

Unless water is rolling in, what's the problem? You could buy a few bags of play sand and set them on the left side... I say unless it is dangerous, just fish!

OMG, what a suggestion!!!!

Any serious boater knows that you should distribute weight or take some out. ADDING weight is laughable.

 

[Alumarine]

OMG, what a suggestion!!!!

Any serious boater knows that you should distribute weight or take some out. ADDING weight is laughable.

I think they've been using ballast in boats for several thousand years to adjust for loads etc.

 

[dwco5051]

I think they've been using ballast in boats for several thousand years to adjust for loads etc.

A whole lot of towns in coastal areas would never have had cobblestone streets if the sailing ships that traded with us didn't leave the stones behind that they brought from Europe for ballast when running without cargo.

 

[JimS123]

A whole lot of towns in coastal areas would never have had cobblestone streets if the sailing ships that traded with us didn't leave the stones behind that they brought from Europe for ballast when running without cargo.

Ballast on cargo ships that weigh hundreds of tons and ply at displacement speeds is a requirement. But, aren't we talking about a little toy boat here that whose owner may end up complaining that it doesn't go fast enough and the hole shot is lousy?

 

[KJM]

" But, aren't we talking about a little toy boat here" Might be a toy boat to you, probably means more to the OP. I think since OP said the boat tilts as soon as he gets in it, most likely its a simple matter of too much weight on the right. move the battery and give that a try.

 

[mrdad990]

Hahaha last time I checked I weighted a little more than a couple tanks of gas about 175. However when I get in the boat it leans only the the right hand side when I go to the left side it will even out. When I'm moving or stationary if I am on the right side it dips low but on the left passenger side it stays completely flat on water.... any ideas?

 

[mrdad990]

I dont see any water coming in but it does seem to be slightly worse at the end if the day. I never noticed cuz i usually have my wife and son on the left side so it was very minimal but going fishing by myself I noticed it.

 

[JimS123]

To the helmsman of a 740 foot long Cargo Ship, a 16 footer is indeed a toy boat. The reference was merely a comparison of the use of ballast, not a denigration of someone's choice.

Irregardless, semantics and meanings, it looks like we are in agreement. Move it, don't add to it.

 

[mrdad990]

It is a small boat but its more like a small bayliner or something deep v runabout. But yeah heavy ass engine and seemingly alot of power for a 16ft. I think the previous owner put trim tabs so he could get on plan quicker.... not sure if that is a good idea or not but if its not ill take em off and see how it goes like that

 

[KJM]

Is she level before you get in, but with the gas and battery aboard?

 

[dwco5051]

I dont see any water coming in but it does seem to be slightly worse at the end if the day. I never noticed cuz i usually have my wife and son on the left side so it was very minimal but going fishing by myself I noticed it.

Now without getting too technical and not knowing the actual construction of your boat it sounds like you may have some trapped water in your boat. Google "Free Surface Effect. Water in a compartment on the starboard side would be almost level until you step in on that side and then it would move outboard and cause the center of gravity to shift more towards that side, thus the list. If you move to the port side the water level out and the CG would be closer to midships and the boat would not list to port.

https://www.marineinsight.com/naval...=When the ship inclines to,now changes to TT1.