Looking to stabilize my alum boat

[msmith04]

Hate to start a new thread but all boats are different.

Obviously body count, weight, gear, cooler,etc all affect stability.. but I was just wondering if there are any willing brains to offer suggestions other than yt and screwing gutters filled with expanding foam to the side of the boat lol.

Neighbor got a f/s fiberglass boat and I can nearly stand ON the gunnels and it hardly leans.. so now I want to chase stability..

Currently has two lead batts (one port side rear for all electronics and one bow center for trolly), livewell in middle port side, from front bench forward is decked off.

Right now I have to basically hoddle my butt seat/post and stay centered as possible to keep the boat from tilting too much.. obviously livewell alters the sta ility being on the side as well, but I have to learn to fish better for that to be a big problem as of yet.

I was also debating on adding 5.5' guide bunks to help with self loading.. thoughts on that?

Pics show blue line to rep waterline ISH.. need a buddy to come next time to snap some photos IN the water.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[roscoe]

If you want stability, lower the center of gravity.
You too, sit on a seat down low.
Get a bigger boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

with a 14' utility boat like you have, there is not much width.

if you want to add stability, as stated above. sit down. remove the forward deck.

putting a forward deck on a small v-hull utility boat is like standing on the handlebar of a tricycle. you can do it, if you remain still and only stand in the middle

side bunks are up to you. however with proper technique, not needed in anything less than 15mph river current or 30mph wind.

 

[Stinnett21]

One of the downsides to smallish aluminum boats, especially riveted. Notice your chine is rounded lending itself to less side to side stability. It's done that way because aluminum is most strong when bent. Other than what Scott says above, not much can be done.

 

[Stinnett21]

When I was late twenties and had a 14' Alumacraft I thought all of the rocking was exciting. Even enjoyed the challenge of rough waters. Now not so much lol.

 

[Scott Danforth]

If you ever had forklift training and understand the triangle of stability. the bow of a small runabout has a triangle in the water that is only about 1' long, and about 8" wide. as the bow flares up, the worst place you can step is outside the triangle of stability.

 

[cyclops222]

My 16' X 52" ? rounded aluminum hull and 15 " short shaft transom. Is now way too small for a 250 pounder or larger person. I have battery at transom. 12 gallons of gas at the small bow area to keep the bow MUCH higher. Still I am looking around for big wakes from cruisers and 800' freighters. The older I get. The more cautious I become. I should always wear a life vest. NAAAHH