Why does my boat always sit lopsided ?

S

SEA3PO

New member
Under the topic of batteries I asked this question as I always thought it was because of the batteries.... but then I thought, everyone else has at least two batteries on that side...so what goes ?? it has always sat lopsided...I only carry about 8 gallons of fresh water in the tank so it may be a bit light on that side...but why just my boat ? One thought might be that I might have water in the hull, but it sits level on the trailer and I would think any water would spread to both sides and equalize the weight....my boat has sat funny since it was new...and is not in the water all that much... so any ideas ???
Other than there is a load of krap on the drivers side....(not funny)

looks like I am sinking
SEA3PO
 
It can't be the weight of food onboard as junk food is just empty calories....and not that heavy.... and I do try to pack any heavy stuff on the left side...I have a propane tank with maybe 2.5 gallons of propane on the left side ....but the boat has always sat low (about 2") on the right side... the motors seem to be mounted near the centerline and not offset... so WHAT ?? I give !

SEA3PO
 
Well, most 22' C-Doreys are balanced. Given that, the tilt must be explained by more weight on one side or the other. So the problem is either how one redistributes the existing weight or removes extra weight from the side that's low in the water.

It's a 3D problem, because the weight is probably either fore or aft as well as side to side. Look at the boat in the water, see if it sits low to port or starboard as well as low fore or aft. Next try adding weight to the high side and end at the same time. If it sits low to port and low in the stern add weight to the starboard-aft until the boat is balanced side to side until it's level. Now you have an idea of how much to shift or remove. Look at what's in the boat and decide.

Good luck.

Boris
 
It sounds like you have a Wallas. The stove itself isn't heavy, but the anxiety and stress it carries is a tremendous burden.
 
TyBoo":22ooltkl said:
It sounds like you have a Wallas. The stove itself isn't heavy, but the anxiety and stress it carries is a tremendous burden.
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And I thought it was a good thing that our boat came with one.
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TyBoo....You also made my day.... you are so correct about the wallas...
I have a propane stove and one of those small fireplaces...plus a 2.5 gallon propane tank on the light side... great for wine and cheese ambiance

The tank is in the left side lazzeret.....(light side)

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Proper Sea Talk would be the Port Side stern locker.. The one with a bottom in it... used to use it as a bait tank...now a propane locker.

Joel
SEA3PO
 
Nancy and Bud":1p93xibk said:
TyBoo":1p93xibk said:
It sounds like you have a Wallas. The stove itself isn't heavy, but the anxiety and stress it carries is a tremendous burden.
Click to expand...

And I thought it was a good thing that our boat came with one.
dopeslap.gif
lmao.gif
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Actually, I still think it is, as pricey as they are & wonderful when properly working :D
 
SEA3PO":2f1r4sid said:
SNIP it has always sat lopsided...I only carry SNIP a load of krap on the drivers side....(not funny)
looks like I am sinking
SEA3PO
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My best guess for uneven gunnels: your holding tank is too full or
it's the wind.

Good Luck with that.

Aye.
 
These boats are light weight and relatively narrow in beam at the water line. In my boat most of the heavy stuff is on the starboard side (batteries, helm, wiring harness, battery charger, sink, refrigerator, stove) plus the biggest cabin storage area is on that side. This all conspires to put the lateral CG right of centerline. If you add the weight of the operator you can have a few hundred pounds of offset load. This is a fair percentage of the boat total weight.

When the boat is moving you can trim this out with the tabs. But I have noticed that my boat has a significant change in lateral trim if a passenger moves from one side of the boat to another.

Unless I need to do otherwise, I only put fuel in the port tank. This does help balance the load a bit.
 
kicker and batteries (mostly) on the starboard side. Rain collects as per.

bilge pumps on the port, so after a rain it drains after I get aboard!
 
Maybe I could get rid of the ice chest in the back and replace it with a narrower but taller ice chest on the light side next to the aft bulkhead...
 
I also thought...to replace the batteries with a pair of light weight batteries...as is I use West Marine Starting batteries at about 40 lb. each...80 pounds is a bunch...I bet I could reduce that weight by at least 30 lb... expensive but would help lots...(I think)......or I could go on a diet...(Last resort)


Joel
SEA3PO
 
SEA3PO":202maxp3 said:
I also thought...to replace the batteries with a pair of light weight batteries...as is I use West Marine Starting batteries at about 40 lb. each...80 pounds is a bunch...I bet I could reduce that weight by at least 30 lb... expensive but would help lots...(I think)......or I could go on a diet...(Last resort)
Joel
SEA3PO
Click to expand...

Joel, real simple: just get a "Smart Battery" or "Next Gen" Li ion Fe phosphate 50 amp hour (100% usable) 500 CCA, weight 15# for $699, or a 100 amp group 31 for $1300 with a 100 amp hour usable capacity! (30#), and would replace two 70# batteries! Sounds expensive, but the prices have fallen by over half in the last couple of years.
 
I think Roger King has the best idea...remove the batteries from the starboard locker and move the batteries up into the port bunk area...mine has foam in that area but I will just build a locker and put the weight up forward and on the port side (light side)

Joel
SEA3PO
 
I was thinking about doing this. But, the amount of work to build/install battery racks and rewire the boat (and it will be heavy wire) just makes it too big a PITA to do for asthetics. I can live with a little list. More weight to the front would be nice, but there are other ways of doing that.
 
SEA3PO":343ww03s said:
I think Roger King has the best idea...remove the batteries from the starboard locker and move the batteries up into the port bunk area...mine has foam in that area but I will just build a locker and put the weight up forward and on the port side (light side)

Joel
SEA3PO
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Joel,

Even easier, Take more food, and stow it forward where you can get to it. :D

Harvey
SleepyC :moon


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