boat weight balance question

[larlarsa]

i have a 14ft Starcraft Holiday wit 50 hp,i am planning to add a deck up front with livewell and casting deck on the back,i am thinking of the battery and fuel tank placement,i got a aluminum 15 gal tank, two battery(one for motor ,the other for the trolling motor), i also have a size of 23.5"W X10"D X 11"H livewell tank.
my question is what is the good place for my trolling battery,and fuel tank? what is the good size for the livewell,because mine one feel like too small for me,but i don't know how big is good for boat on plan easy?

Plan#1,i design to put the trolling battery beside the livewell near the console,seem looks more balance,the fuel tank is place in front of the back casting deck(the deck will be 3' long from the back), the seat will be on top of the tank,but this setup i can only have two seat, and do the trolling battery will bounce a lot when boat on plan?

i have another planning ,Plan #2,to have more room,shorten the back casting deck to 2', place the fuel tank under the deck,add two more seat in front the deck,but this setup ,15gal fuel seem too heavy on the back when one person standing on the deck ?

Or plan #3, i can shorten the front deck a little bit,move the console forward a bit .then i have 3 seat.

Ps: does any people use plywood with fiberglass resins to build livewell here?

 

[larlarsa]

Re: boat weight balance question

more pic here,i forgot to mention,i will cut the bow area to build the deck.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: boat weight balance question

I see a couple of issues with your plane but since I have no data on the capability of this boat here are my concerns:

1) Have you actually thought about how much weight you are adding to this boat. Two batteries, 15 gallons of fuel, casting decks and hardware, a live well which will also have water in it when fishing, etc. I suggest you check the capacity plate on the boat to make sure you are not overloading it. Remember, anchors, rope, and other equipment adds weight.

2) If you cut the bow area you severely weaken the structure of the boat. The boat is DESIGNED to have the bow area closed. Removing any part of it will weaken it's structure.

3) This is a 14 foot boat and as such is going to be very heavily loaded. Overloaded boats capsize and sink just like the frequently overloaded ferries in less developed areas of the world. The operators there obviously think nothing bad will happen either.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: boat weight balance question

Great advice^^^^^^**

 

[larlarsa]

Re: boat weight balance question

my motor weight 180lbs,fuel weight approx 100lbs,livewell semm won't more than 80lbs,two battery arround 120lbs,other gear around 100 lbs, my boat can handle 940lbs total weight, i think this is no problem on the weight issues.
the bow area after the deck in place,3/4' plywood will structure stiff enough.

 

[timmyjoebob]

Re: boat weight balance question

my motor weight 180lbs,fuel weight approx 100lbs,livewell semm won't more than 80lbs,two battery arround 120lbs,other gear around 100 lbs, my boat can handle 940lbs total weight, i think this is no problem on the weight issues.
the bow area after the deck in place,3/4' plywood will structure stiff enough.

Along with Silvertip, if your boat can handle 940lbs, then you add two 200 lbs men, you're over your limit. I'm sure you're aware that the capacity plate is just that -- capacity (TOTAL weight capability, including master/crew).

Good luck!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: boat weight balance question

Buy a bigger boat and while you are at it, get one factory outfitted the way you want it and you won't have to worry about making the wrong decision. For all the things you are talking about adding I am in complete agreement with the other guys.

I once made a BB of sorts out of a Mirrowcraft 14' alum semiV, but it had a wide beam and deep sides for a 14' and I didn't add a livewell (makes a huge difference in boat handling....learned that from the Ranger Fisherman which had a huge one down the port side) and the only added items were a roughly 1.5 ft square sheet alum platform fore of the front seat (flat floor for my feet and mounting the foot control of the TM) and a fabricated alum TM bracket.

My 2c,

Mark

 

[larlarsa]

Re: boat weight balance question

very disappointed on the result,I don't think 940lbs capacity weight not enough for the setup,you can see those other Princecraft 14 pro or Lund SC model,they have a bigger livewell on the front then mine,my big fuel tank will offset the LW weight,also have casting deck,weight capacity almost the same.
my buddy have a 14' Seanalmp also have this setup with no problem.

 

[Seon]

Re: boat weight balance question

..in that case, just buy plenty insurance and wear your PFD...you'll be fine :redface:

 

[Silvertip]

Re: boat weight balance question

Our suggestions seem to fall on deaf ears so by all means go ahead with your plan. However you seem to be not willing to add the numbers (all of them) to come up with a realistic weight. I'll help you out with that:

1: Engine = 211#
2: Starting Battery = 45#
3: Troller Battery = 50#
4: 15 gallons of fuel = 6.21 x 15 = 93.15#
5: Live well water (est 20 gallons) = 20 x 8.34 = 166#
6: Boat person capacity is based on 145# people which are hard to find these days. Two people are likely to add about 400# and some of your floor plans show 4 seats so that's 800#.
7: You will very likely have the fishing gear, life jackets, adult beverages, anchor, ropes and other stuff that adds approximately another 100 - 150#.
8: The motor has control cables and a control box that does not figure into the advertised engine weight. Add another 20#.
9: You likely have other stuff not listed here so add another 25#.
10: Have you weighed a sheet of plywood lately. Just so you know, it weighs 40 - 80# per sheet depending on thickness.
11: Adding fiberglass and or coating with resin adds additiional weight as do any fasteners and brackets you fashion to support the decks.

So add those numbers and fill in the blanks where there is variable data and then you tell us if your 940# load capacity (which includes people by the way) is safe.