Weight distribution and boat performance

This topic has 9 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 4 months ago by dbasketman.

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February 1, 2010 at 9:44 pm #444284

Imshifti3
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first off, my boat is an 03 Cougar FTD with a yamaha 250 HPDI. Hydraulic jackplate, powerpole, 4 bank charger with 4 batteries. So, the back end of my boat is weighed down pretty significantly (especially with loaded livewells). After speaking with some friends, we started wondering about the effect all this back loaded weight is effecting my performance? Im also interested to know if I can distribute my weight differently to let the boat fish a little shallower? Im sure this is a topic beaten upon regularly, but individual situations warrant individual questions, I think…

February 1, 2010 at 11:12 pm #444285

Shap from La
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With your Cougar you are obviously already keeping your tackle up front so you cant really move any tackle around. One thing that would help would be to only carry the gas that you need. Dont fill up that 52 gallon tank if you know youll only be burning 15 gallons. That is alot of weight sitting in the very back of the boat. What else can you move? If you moved a battery or something like that you would sacrifice alot of midrange and top end performance. Im sure the power pole and hydraulic plate and 4 batteries add a significant amount of weight to the back end but I dont see where you would move any of that to help you out. Sorry I wasnt much help. It just seems to me the only way to remove some of that rear weight is to remove some of those accessories, and you probably want to keep them or else you wouldnt have bought them to begin with. Good luck and I hope you figure something out that helps.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.

February 1, 2010 at 11:26 pm #444286

Imshifti3
Participant

Im not TOO worried about top end. Id rather my boat draft less and allow me to fish a bit shallower and lose a few MPH. If I repositioned the batteries and charger, would it make a significant difference? or am I just talking centimeters.

February 2, 2010 at 12:25 am #444287

PhilAddison
Participant

Repositioning the batteries and charger is not going to buy you much. As you say, maybe centimeters. Where are you planning on repositioning them too? As said above, youll do a little better by minimizing fuel, water in the livewell, and get about 600 lbs on the front deck. And then you might gain 3 or 4 inches clearance.

February 2, 2010 at 1:16 am #444288

Imshifti3
Participant

PhilAddison wrote: Repositioning the batteries and charger is not going to buy you much. As you say, maybe centimeters. Where are you planning on repositioning them too? As said above, youll do a little better by minimizing fuel, water in the livewell, and get about 600 lbs on the front deck. And then you might gain 3 or 4 inches clearance.Where I could move the batteries would have been my next question! As of right my charger is attached to the transom and all 4 batteries sit against the transom If I could move them, thatd be 180 or so lbs repositioned., lightened gas tanks, additional weight up front and I might be able to get my clearance.

February 2, 2010 at 1:45 am #444289

PhilAddison
Participant

More trouble than its worth! Go buy a Skiff Cat! The money you use on Skiff Cat is the same money you will lose on modifying your current FTD!

February 2, 2010 at 2:09 am #444290

Tx76
Participant

Its all about diet depending on what you need. The “eat less crap” diet is what Im on to reach that skinny water by spring time. If you need more up front, Little Debbie is my girl. She adds weight in a hurry! Good luck!!

February 2, 2010 at 5:16 am #444291

Imshifti3
Participant

Im all about getting through skinny water in spring time! Looks like I will just leave those gas tanks empty.

February 2, 2010 at 8:55 pm #444292

1958
Participant

I wonder if you put some lead up front if it would pick the back end up or just push the front end down? If you have about 12″x12″x1.5″ slab of lead that would weigh about 100 lb which I think would equal about 15.7 gallons of gas.I was interested in seeing responses to this post as Im wanting to get a new boat …..if my job will hold out. But Ive narrowed it down to either a Puma or Puma ftd when that does happen. Ive read many differences between the two models like: 1. Puma rides better than the ftd and has a more solid feel because of the tanks in the middle.2. Puma ftd rides and handles better in rough water ad is a little faster because of the tanks in the back.3. Cant tell the difference in ride between the two.4. Puma ftd only drafts 1-2″ more than the Puma. Not sure about an 03 Cougar ftd.I guess in other words I wont know till I test drive both.

February 2, 2010 at 10:59 pm #444293

dbasketman
Participant

All my boats have gotten plenty shallow,,,,cant understand why ?Must have something to do with weight distribution, and all the stuff i carry in my pockets !
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