Weight & Balance On Islanders

[captainkttyhwk]

Has anyone else considered putting some weight in the front end of thier Islander. Mine sure feels light even in the smallest waves (v-6 merc).
Does anyone have a center of gravity location that is optimal? Is that info available from the factory? Or is there a rule of thumb as to C/G?
Being a pilot, weight and C/G play a huge part in saftey...just wondering if it might help in the ole fishin tub. '94 islander.

The cap'n.

 

[captainkttyhwk]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

Ive had some respones in the past..but im talking about when your at a trolling speed. Once moving (planing) and the hydarfoil on the lower unit is responding...you can put the bow where you want it.
Battery up front will help but a lot more weight seems like would be needed, and id like to keep the power close to where its needed. I might move the house battery though.

The further forward the wehight is put, the less weight that would be needed.

Im really curious about the optimum center of gravity.....

 

[Gnarly]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

Ive wondered the same thing , I keep my spare downrigger and halibut weights in a milk crate where the porta toilet was in mine and have made an effort to move as much heavy equiptment forward in order to offset the weight of the motor/drive as much as possible. The only way to tell is to weigh it on at least three jack pads and do the math to find the longitudinal and lateral center of gravity . The manufacturer might have some limitations if you contact them.

 

[captainkttyhwk]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

hey thanks! I just saw a great formulation discussion on the web. Sounds like as close to center of the length of boat. sooo...Im thinking 150 lbs in the bow.
now, how to get it there. Maybe even a tank up front i flood or pump out while undrway. IE: different load of gear or passengers. Heck that only about 20 gallons of water.

see ya!

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

I have used sand bags in the past to add a little weight.
They stay were you put them.
The CG is too far back on my boat also.
Water tank would work better; it could be drained for running.
The wakeboard crowd use water bags and pumps to increase their wake.
What?s the solution? Move fuel tanks and batteries or a flotation pod.
Here is what they look like now from Starcraft

 

[fishmonster13]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

my friend has a 18ft ss and has a 100gl livewell in the front that he puts water into just to add a little weight to it and it works pretty well

 

[captainkttyhwk]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

thanks for the replies! Im thinking its gonna be the tank up front in the line locker. Reversible cheapy bilge pump...as long as we dont go over the max gross weight...we should be good.

Fish-on!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29642528@N05/3890740528/

 

[fish fool]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

hi capt, I see your from Posen. I used to keep my big boat docked at Rogers City for salmon fishing. Sure miss those days of great fishing.... About your question, I know of two different Islander owners that put sand bags in the bow to balance out their boats. In my opinion, I would try that first before adding a tank/pump.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

hi capt, I see your from Posen. I used to keep my big boat docked at Rogers City for salmon fishing. Sure miss those days of great fishing....

I couldn't agree more...we used to fish the Rogers City salmon tourney every year back in the 80s-90s. The chinook catch is down and out for the time being in lake huron.

Walleye are around though. We've had luck around Presque Isle-Rockport area

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

thanks for the replies! Im thinking its gonna be the tank up front in the line locker. Reversible cheapy bilge pump...as long as we dont go over the max gross weight...we should be good.

Fish-on!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29642528@N05/3890740528/

SWEET BOAT CAPTAIN!!!

 

[fish fool]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

Huron Angler, yeah bummer about the salmon in Lake Huron. Used to fish all the tourneys in Rogers City, had a lot of fun. Fished PI/Rockport also... Great fishing. Now have to go to Lake Michigan for consistant salmon action.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

Great idea on the tank, should work out well.
PS: I hunt over in the Leer/Carr rd's area and dearly miss the 'Flying Duck' [LOL].......Kenny aka joe hunter from Detroit

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

I use two fishing buddies up in the cabin. Wife and dad ride in the cabin and the fish box (which at time is holding 50-150 lbs of fish). Father-inlaw in the co-pilot chair and I drive. This balances out pretty good.
Also store all my fishing gear up front, kick motor can is at the base of the co-pilot chair, fuel tanks are under the driver/passenger seats. So my balance is ok.
I would vote for the sand bags, lots of weight for the size, easy to remove.
Will not slide around, and out of the sunlight they will last a very long time.
And cheap and easy to install.
I wish these boats would have installed a belly fuel tank as far forward as possible.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

Perhaps the constant slaping of the hull was not a good Idea to consider. putting tanks up front. Todays tanks are a lot more rigid and shock proof. No Seams.Makes me wonder as I have a ton of weight and no rising much in the bow. I have never found water in the boat and the floor is solid. WATER I wonder????

 

[Seon]

Re: Weight & Balance On Islanders

Very interesting read on this thread. I just dropped by this forum to read the pros and cons on the Islanders being that I'm looking to possibly buy a '97 191 model. Thanks