New Boat Listing to one side!
 

I bought in early April a new aluminum boat, 19' Raider with a 140
Suzuki 4-stroke on it, everything is new. I have less than 15 hours on
the boat as of today. The first time I used the boat it wanted to list
to one side while motoring down the river..tried trimming the motor,
little or no difference. So I take it back to the guys I bought it from
and they tell me "no big deal we will adjust the tab on the transom,
come back in a week".

I did that, took it out on the river over the wknd with my two buddies,
all of us weigh at or near 200 pds. If two guys get on one side with
one guy on the other the boat will lean way over....not a little, I'm
talking way over! If two guys move to the other side, it then leans
that way!

So, I call the manufacturer, he tells me "well they do this if you have
two big guys on one side". I'm thinking "give me a break, this is a 19'
boat! He then says "I will put trimtabs on it for 300 bucks!

I run a couple other aluminums made by other manufacturer's as part of
my job and have ridden in boats most of my life, have never seen
something like this.

I feel that this is a brand new boat and I paid 22k for it and it
shouldn't lean to the point of feeling like you are going to get thrown
out. I also feel like a brand new boat shouldn't need trim tabs and
there is something wrong!

I would appreciate the advice of you guys.

Thank you.

RM

Every v-bottom boat up to 25' that I've ever been on lists to the side that
people are standing on. That's what trim tabs are designed to correct.


"RiverMan" wrote in message
ups.com...
I bought in early April a new aluminum boat, 19' Raider with a 140
Suzuki 4-stroke on it, everything is new. I have less than 15 hours on
the boat as of today. The first time I used the boat it wanted to list
to one side while motoring down the river..tried trimming the motor,
little or no difference. So I take it back to the guys I bought it from
and they tell me "no big deal we will adjust the tab on the transom,
come back in a week".

I did that, took it out on the river over the wknd with my two buddies,
all of us weigh at or near 200 pds. If two guys get on one side with
one guy on the other the boat will lean way over....not a little, I'm
talking way over! If two guys move to the other side, it then leans
that way!

So, I call the manufacturer, he tells me "well they do this if you have
two big guys on one side". I'm thinking "give me a break, this is a 19'
boat! He then says "I will put trimtabs on it for 300 bucks!

I run a couple other aluminums made by other manufacturer's as part of
my job and have ridden in boats most of my life, have never seen
something like this.

I feel that this is a brand new boat and I paid 22k for it and it
shouldn't lean to the point of feeling like you are going to get thrown
out. I also feel like a brand new boat shouldn't need trim tabs and
there is something wrong!

I would appreciate the advice of you guys.

Thank you.

RM

On Tue, 7 Jun 2005 01:03:01 -0400, "NOYB" wrote:

Every v-bottom boat up to 25' that I've ever been on lists to the side that
people are standing on. That's what trim tabs are designed to correct.


"RiverMan" wrote in message
oups.com...
I bought in early April a new aluminum boat, 19' Raider with a 140
Suzuki 4-stroke on it, everything is new.

Interesting. The boat is rated for 130 hp according to the web site -
which, by the way, sucks.

I have less than 15 hours on
the boat as of today. The first time I used the boat it wanted to list
to one side while motoring down the river..tried trimming the motor,
little or no difference. So I take it back to the guys I bought it from
and they tell me "no big deal we will adjust the tab on the transom,
come back in a week".

I did that, took it out on the river over the wknd with my two buddies,
all of us weigh at or near 200 pds. If two guys get on one side with
one guy on the other the boat will lean way over....not a little, I'm
talking way over! If two guys move to the other side, it then leans
that way!

Well, you have an 85" beam on a moderate V bottom (10º stern, 30º bow)
and with three guys in it, two of them "big", then I would expect it
to list to one side. Under power, that's what the trim tabs are for.

My Ranger 200 C lists to one side if you get me and one other person
on the same side of the boat - not a lot I admit - and that boat is
designed to stay relatively flat on the surface of the water.

All boats of this type and hull design will do this. Of course, how
severe the list is a personal issue and what is acceptable to you. I
have a hunch that you aren't used to this style boat hull. I also
think that this is a very light boat just based on the aluminum specs
on it.

~~ snippage ~~

I feel that this is a brand new boat and I paid 22k for it and it
shouldn't lean to the point of feeling like you are going to get thrown
out. I also feel like a brand new boat shouldn't need trim tabs and
there is something wrong!

Should have water tested the boat first - sorry, that's just the way
it is. At this point, you are pretty much stuck with it - there
really isn't anything "wrong" per se.

Later,

Tom

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 7 Jun 2005 01:03:01 -0400, "NOYB" wrote:

Every v-bottom boat up to 25' that I've ever been on lists to the side
that
people are standing on. That's what trim tabs are designed to correct.


"RiverMan" wrote in message
roups.com...
I bought in early April a new aluminum boat, 19' Raider with a 140
Suzuki 4-stroke on it, everything is new.

Interesting. The boat is rated for 130 hp according to the web site -
which, by the way, sucks.

It's rated for 130 lbs of what? Total cargo including passengers???

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 7 Jun 2005 01:03:01 -0400, "NOYB" wrote:

Every v-bottom boat up to 25' that I've ever been on lists to the side
that
people are standing on. That's what trim tabs are designed to correct.


"RiverMan" wrote in message
groups.com...
I bought in early April a new aluminum boat, 19' Raider with a 140
Suzuki 4-stroke on it, everything is new.

Interesting. The boat is rated for 130 hp according to the web site -
which, by the way, sucks.

It's rated for 130 lbs of what? Total cargo including passengers???

hp=horsepower
lbs=pounds

Tom and others,

Yes I should have tested it first. I didn't because the motors they had
on the boats were 90HP. Yes the boat is rated for a 130 but the
manufacturer provided me with stickers that allowed the 140 to go on.
He said the boat can actually take up to a 180 but they rate it at 130
for safety reasons. You may be right about me not being "used to" this
hull design but I can tell you that if you were riding with me down the
river at 30 MPH and holding onto your chair so you wouldn't slide off
you wouldn't like it either...it's that bad! I'm not talking about a
"little lean", it leans "big time".

regards,

RM

"RiverMan" wrote in message
ups.com...
Yes the boat is rated for a 130 but the
manufacturer provided me with stickers that allowed the 140 to go on.

Hmmm. If I were trying to get out from under that boat, I might pursue this
angle. I don't think a dealer can give you a sticker to change the Coast
Guard rating of a boat.

Anybody know for sure?

"NOYB" wrote in message
.net...

"RiverMan" wrote in message
ups.com...
Yes the boat is rated for a 130 but the
manufacturer provided me with stickers that allowed the 140 to go on.

Hmmm. If I were trying to get out from under that boat, I might pursue
this angle. I don't think a dealer can give you a sticker to change the
Coast Guard rating of a boat.

Anybody know for sure?



A vague "I don't wanna name names yet" call to the CG should do the trick.

The fact that the list reverses when the "big guys" move to the other
side of the boat indicates there isn't
a problem with the hull.

You need a bigger boat, or smaller friends. :-)

Hi,
I think most boats of this size will list with 200lbs or more weight
on one side. Also What side is the fuel tank on? Bait well? Live well?
All of these things will make a difference. I have a crestliner angler
16, tiller. I weigh 200lbs if I am by myself the boat will list to the
right under power. I just fill the 20 gal live well and it levels
right out. If the wife and kid are with me they sit in the left side no
need to fill the live well. I would check to make sure your tackle
boxes and extra gear are spread out evenly.

Paul

On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 12:05:37 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 7 Jun 2005 01:03:01 -0400, "NOYB" wrote:

Every v-bottom boat up to 25' that I've ever been on lists to the side
that
people are standing on. That's what trim tabs are designed to correct.


"RiverMan" wrote in message
groups.com...
I bought in early April a new aluminum boat, 19' Raider with a 140
Suzuki 4-stroke on it, everything is new.

Interesting. The boat is rated for 130 hp according to the web site -
which, by the way, sucks.

It's rated for 130 lbs of what? Total cargo including passengers???

I just wrote and deleted some spectacular one-liners in response and
after some thought, decided to let your comment stand. :)

Later,

Tom

On 7 Jun 2005 06:49:01 -0700, "RiverMan"
wrote:

Tom and others,

Yes I should have tested it first. I didn't because the motors they had
on the boats were 90HP. Yes the boat is rated for a 130 but the
manufacturer provided me with stickers that allowed the 140 to go on.
He said the boat can actually take up to a 180 but they rate it at 130
for safety reasons. You may be right about me not being "used to" this
hull design but I can tell you that if you were riding with me down the
river at 30 MPH and holding onto your chair so you wouldn't slide off
you wouldn't like it either...it's that bad! I'm not talking about a
"little lean", it leans "big time".

Sticker beside the point, there should be a Coast Guard rating along
with a UL rating and you can't change that period, end of discussion.
There ain't no such thing as a variable power boat horsepower rating.

Do as NYOB and Doug suggest - call the CG and ask what the boat is
officially rated for.

There's your out.

Later,

Tom

On 7 Jun 2005 08:31:04 -0700, wrote:

The fact that the list reverses when the "big guys" move to the other
side of the boat indicates there isn't
a problem with the hull.

You need a bigger boat, or smaller friends. :-)

Or that.

Later,

Tom

Really? Interesting, well the manufacturer gave me the "ok" and sent
the dealer the new CG stickers which I put on the boat. After speaking
with some others I am thinking the list is a result of the deep V on
the boat. I will probably just go with the tabs at this point and be
done with it!

RM

On 7 Jun 2005 10:02:15 -0700, "RiverMan"
wrote:

Really? Interesting, well the manufacturer gave me the "ok" and sent
the dealer the new CG stickers which I put on the boat.

Sorry, can't be done. Once the factory sticker is in place, it cannot
be altered in any way or removed. It's in the CFR's. The
manufacturer certifies the design criteria which the CG reviews and
approves, but once it's in place, that's it - can't do anything to it.
In addition, if there is a Canadian sticker on it, you can't remove or
alter that in any way either.

After speaking with some others I am thinking the list is a result of the
deep V on the boat. I will probably just go with the tabs at this point
and be done with it!

Are these mechnaical tabs or electrical? If they are mechanical tabs,
then purchase a set of electric tabs and install them - make your ride
time a lot happier.

In any case, have fun.

Later,

Tom

Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:



Sorry, can't be done. Once the factory sticker is in place, it cannot
be altered in any way or removed. It's in the CFR's. The
manufacturer certifies the design criteria which the CG reviews and
approves, but once it's in place, that's it - can't do anything to it.
In addition, if there is a Canadian sticker on it, you can't remove or
alter that in any way either.


Later,

Tom

The next years identical boat may have different ratings. The Offshore
17 DSC was introduced with a 90 hp rating, was later a 115hp rating.
The same thing with one of the Switzers too(I think the 17'), was a
150hp, then 200hp rating.

But I have never heard of going over or replacing USCG plates after the
boat was built.

Rob

Actually replacing the rating plate by the Manufacturer is relatively
common. The boat may be rated by the CG at a 150 based on the formula but
the Manufacturer normally puts a 130 rating for safety, insurance, or
whatever reason. (I know in one case they used a lower rating to try and
keep the price down since most people will want the max rated hp and they
could put a 140 instead of a 150 on the boat to price it cheaper).
However, the dealer can request the higher rating plate if he wants to.
Nothing illegal about it as the boat is rated by the CG for that. CG does
not go to the dealer plant and actually attach the rating plate.

As for the list, my guess is your not used to the amount of v this boat has
and if you don't have the weight centered/balanced - your going to get some
list even under power. Tabs will solve the problem or try and balance the
weight more.

--
Tony
my boats and cars at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

-
"trainfan1" wrote in message
...
Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:



Sorry, can't be done. Once the factory sticker is in place, it cannot
be altered in any way or removed. It's in the CFR's. The
manufacturer certifies the design criteria which the CG reviews and
approves, but once it's in place, that's it - can't do anything to it.
In addition, if there is a Canadian sticker on it, you can't remove or
alter that in any way either.


Later,

Tom

The next years identical boat may have different ratings. The Offshore 17
DSC was introduced with a 90 hp rating, was later a 115hp rating. The same
thing with one of the Switzers too(I think the 17'), was a 150hp, then
200hp rating.

But I have never heard of going over or replacing USCG plates after the
boat was built.

Rob

On Wed, 08 Jun 2005 02:34:25 GMT, "tony thomas"
wrote:

Actually replacing the rating plate by the Manufacturer is relatively
common. The boat may be rated by the CG at a 150 based on the formula but
the Manufacturer normally puts a 130 rating for safety, insurance, or
whatever reason. (I know in one case they used a lower rating to try and
keep the price down since most people will want the max rated hp and they
could put a 140 instead of a 150 on the boat to price it cheaper).
However, the dealer can request the higher rating plate if he wants to.
Nothing illegal about it as the boat is rated by the CG for that. CG does
not go to the dealer plant and actually attach the rating plate.

You cannot replace a sticker put in place on any particular boat in a
showroom period. It's illegal. Manufacturer's don't "derate" boats -
the sticker says "up to" not "up to but if you ask nicely we'll raise
it for you".

Once the sticker is in place, it cannot be removed, modified or
changed in any way.

Since they started the certification process, and I've been around
that long, I have never, not once, seen a boat "rerated" because the
owner wanted higher horsepower than the listed max rating. Not once.
Any dealer who did do it would just be asking for liability trouble
not to mention criminal negligence. I have seen transoms bolstered
for higher horsepower engines over and above the rating, but it wasn't
done by a dealer or the manufacturer.

Later,

Tom