boat taking on water at launch

[jsdeano]

I have a 24 ft center console on a magic tilt trailer. When I put the boat in the water off the trailer on a steep ramp water comes over the transom in the motor cut out. If I move the winch back on the trailer it does not do this. But then the boat is so far back on the trailer the transom saver does not work. Am I backing the trailer too far or not far enough into the water to launch and retrieve maybe? Is there a certain way to know how far to back the trailer in? The tongue weight is good either way I put the winch. The problem is I cannot put the winch in between where I am because the trailer frame is in the way at that point.

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

Do you use the tilt function and if so have you tired to do it without using the tilt function?

 

[Quick3201]

The engine well should have a drain so water in it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Challenger84]

When i launch my boat... The trailer fenders just barely submerged. That's the furthest i'd go.

 

[Chris1956]

The trailer must support the entire hull, front to back. if you adjust the winch stand so the rear of the boat is unsupported, the hull could sag, ruining the hull.

A long as no water gets into the hull when launching, there is no issue. Splashwells usually have drains in case they take on water.

 

[jsdeano]

No, I have never used the tilt function. Actually I did not know it has one.
It is the old rolled gunnel type boat and well. It has skuppers in it. Sense they would never work right I put plugs in them. Then I cut a hole in the bilge inspection lid. Then I glued a plastic bucket to the lid. I then wired a auto bail bilge pump and put it in the bottom of the bucket. It also had a cut out that went under the live well and up to the main deck. I took two pieces of aluminum L channel and a piece of Plexiglas with a rubber seal on the bottom and made a sliding door to separate it. Now when I get water in the well it is automatically pumped out. What I don't like is the salt water pouring into the well every time I launch. What I am trying to understand is why would the back of the boat not just be floating up when I am launching?

 

[Frank Acampora]

It is taking water over the transom because the launch angle is too steep. The trailer is holding up the bow and the hull is in the water at a angle it would never assume during normal running or sitting. Try this to help you understand: Get into some relatively shallow water and with help if needed, lift the bow until the boat assumes the angle at launch. Betcha water comes in.

Without seeing the trailer and launch I can only suggest that you try to adjust bunks or rollers so the stern sits higher on the trailer and the bow sits as low as possible.

 

[Silvertip]

Try launching at an angle rather than straight in. Since you questioned if you are backing in too far or not far enough, the simple test is to try both ways.

 

[Challenger84]

It's a Center Console. They get wet.. Doesnt the water that come in drain out the back anyways when on plane? Self bailing?

Leave it alone, bring an extra towel and enjoy boating.. my 2 cents.

 

[funk6294]

Any pictures?

 

[thumpar]

How much freeboard do you have? Seems odd that the boat won't float itself high enough. I have used all kinds of ramps and never been close to having water come in.

 

[Challenger84]

If it really bothers you try launching durring high tide?

 

[sphelps]

Way over powered maybe ? The weight of the motor ?
You going slow backing in .. If you just inch it in will it still flow over the transom ?
I thought I saw a pic here somewhere of a Plexiglas shield to extend the transom height ..

 

[smokeonthewater]

Water in the splash well is absolutely normal and expected... That's exactly why it HAS a splash well... The correct fix is to remove the bucket and pump, glass that hole back over and remove the plugs from the drains... It is fine to have water in the splash well often, it will drain out once you get on plane.

 

[smokeonthewater]

As for "why doesn't it float up while launching?"....
Get in a swimming pool and do the back float... Then while keeping your body rigid (don't bend as the waist) have someone lift your feet till you are at the angle of a boat ramp.... See how well your face stays above water.

It's simple physics. By lifting the bow of the boat out of the water you lever the stern into it. ... The boat must displace a certain amount of water before it can float... When it is doing that with only the stern, it will not float as high as it does when level.

 

[Alumarine]

As for "why doesn't it float up while launching?"....
Get in a swimming pool and do the back float... Then while keeping your body rigid (don't bend as the waist) have someone lift your feet till you are at the angle of a boat ramp.... See how well your face stays above water.

Good one, Could be a candidate for analogy of the week.

 

[thumpar]

As for "why doesn't it float up while launching?"....
Get in a swimming pool and do the back float... Then while keeping your body rigid (don't bend as the waist) have someone lift your feet till you are at the angle of a boat ramp.... See how well your face stays above water.

It's simple physics. By lifting the bow of the boat out of the water you lever the stern into it. ... The boat must displace a certain amount of water before it can float... When it is doing that with only the stern, it will not float as high as it does when level.

Boats are meant to totally float. The body just barely floats. I back in till the the boat is floating then unhook. There has never been water over the rear.

 

[smokeonthewater]

you have a different boat... boats are not meant to float with the bow hoisted out of the water....

the analogy is valid... lift one end and the other goes down... your boat maybe doesn't drop the stern as much as his but it still drops.

 

[alldodge]

No, I have never used the tilt function. Actually I did not know it has one.
It is the old rolled gunnel type boat and well. It has skuppers in it. Sense they would never work right I put plugs in them. Then I cut a hole in the bilge inspection lid. Then I glued a plastic bucket to the lid. I then wired a auto bail bilge pump and put it in the bottom of the bucket. It also had a cut out that went under the live well and up to the main deck. I took two pieces of aluminum L channel and a piece of Plexiglas with a rubber seal on the bottom and made a sliding door to separate it. Now when I get water in the well it is automatically pumped out. What I don't like is the salt water pouring into the well every time I launch. What I am trying to understand is why would the back of the boat not just be floating up when I am launching?

Wonder if your boat is a bit water logged? If the boat is heavier due to a leak in the hull and it has soaked up water in the foam.

 

[thumpar]

you have a different boat... boats are not meant to float with the bow hoisted out of the water....

the analogy is valid... lift one end and the other goes down... your boat maybe doesn't drop the stern as much as his but it still drops.

Both of my boats and all the family boats would float the back just fine. It sounds like something is not right with the weight unless it is a very shallow boat.