I’ve got a 17’ skiff CC with a Suzuki 40 2stroke. The boat gets a little squirrely on plain with too much weight aft. Looking to repower this fall and want to go with a 4 stroke and bump up to a 60hp. What kind of weight difference between the 2 and 4 strokes? I’ve got a poling platform on it and don’t want to remove but worried about extra weight. Fuel tank is under the seat, thinking about moving CC and seat forward a few inches? Any thoughts or numbers on weight difference?
Have you drained your hull lately? Might be water logged and you need to get the water out. I know CS boats are famous for trapping water in the foam. Heard a few people will drill a couple of holes and tilt the boat for a while. Then fill the holes, drain as needed.
The 4 stroke will add about 80-100 pounds. If the boat can handle a 70, it might be worth it to get the highest HP 4 stroke you can get. Trim tabs will also go a long way with helping with the weight in the rear.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I had a dealer at the Boat show say, when I asked about Trim tabs on a 17fter (why would you put Trim Tabs on a boat that small)? Well, suppose I had a Fat Girl, sitting on one side! Plus motor torque!
I’ve never seen a planing hull that trim tabs wouldn’t help.
100 extra pounds is not a lot for that boat, but any weights you can shift forward will help. Can you put the fuel under the bow deck? Where are the batteries? Could they be moved forward? Hard to imagine it being squirrely with only 40 hp. Does it have power trim? How much HP is the boat rated for?
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Originally posted by GeronimoHave you drained your hull lately? Might be water logged and you need to get the water out. I know CS boats are famous for trapping water in the foam. Heard a few people will drill a couple of holes and tilt the boat for a while. Then fill the holes, drain as needed.
The 4 stroke will add about 80-100 pounds. If the boat can handle a 70, it might be worth it to get the highest HP 4 stroke you can get. Trim tabs will also go a long way with helping with the weight in the rear.“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 JohnsonWilderness Ride 115
Not trying to steal your thread, Fred, but Geronimo, are you talking about just Carolina Skiffs or all boats? Cracker I’d appreciate your thoughts in particular.
“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”
Like Boston Whalers and CS’s. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT42hIOvkeU
I guess any boat can get water locked in over time though.
Trim tabs will help any boat. Size has nothing to do it. You should have asked him why they put tabs on little 16’ poling skiffs. My boat is 17’ and I honestly could not drive it without tabs and hydraulic steering. I’ll never own another boat without both of those. I’ll go without a trolling motor before those 2 items.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I don’t understand squirrely! I’ve got a J16 with a Yamaha 50 and no problem! Have tank and battery in front of console.
Man i had to pee after watching that video…
I’m not sure if some are mis reading what he’s saying.
I don’t think it’s squirly with the 40hp. But just with too much weight. Like the 40 and a fat chick in the back.
have you considered something like an Etec? light weight, quiet and powerful.
Etec is one of my top prospects if I get a new motor for my boat.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
I just looked, a Suzuki DF60 is 229lbs and the Etec is 240lbs.
I guess all 4strokes aren’t heavy pigs.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
I agree. It is one lean, sexy looking piece.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I especially like the Mae West type PFD.
On that You-tube video: I laughed when that guy said “That’s not a lot of water” Ha! I don’t think that foam will ever dry out. He better sell it or do a whole cut-down and rebuild.
I plan on living forever, so far so good
Egret 167, Etec 130
Wooden Driftboat
Jon Boat & 2 Canoes
quote:
Originally posted by EasyI had a dealer at the Boat show say, when I asked about Trim tabs on a 17fter (why would you put Trim Tabs on a boat that small)? Well, suppose I had a Fat Girl, sitting on one side! Plus motor torque!
Your always good for a laugh!
quote:
Originally posted by GeronimoHave you drained your hull lately? Might be water logged and you need to get the water out. I know CS boats are famous for trapping water in the foam. Heard a few people will drill a couple of holes and tilt the boat for a while. Then fill the holes, drain as needed.
The 4 stroke will add about 80-100 pounds. If the boat can handle a 70, it might be worth it to get the highest HP 4 stroke you can get. Trim tabs will also go a long way with helping with the weight in the rear.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 JohnsonWilderness Ride 115
Didn’t realize it could get “water logged” I don’t think it is though. Had it off the trailer for new springs and hubs and had no trouble winching it back on the trailer … after greasing the hull.
To clarify the “squirlly” thing. Boat will run 34-36mph and not much in water, make a slight turn and it will dip and scare the ever living crap out of you. First time it did it, we thought we hit a log or gator. After putting my son back up front instead of standing by me it did not do it again.
Cracker I did move the battery to the front corner under the CC and it helped a bit. I’d have to get another fuel tank to put under front of bow. But not ruling that out if I go to a heavier engine. I really like the boat over having mostly glitter boats and aluminum john’s prior. I don’t ski anymore. No carpet to hold oyster mud and fish slime. Water draft is amazing and if a passenger drops the anchor on the floor or slams it into the side… no big deal. A little light Clorox mixture and boat is as clean as a whistle.
What kind of expense and work is involved in putting on trim tabs? Boat is surprisingly rated for a 70hp.
Thanks for all the input!
I’m thinking about selling my jon boat and buying a JV15 Carolina Skiff. I noticed that they are putting Trim Tabs on all of them. They are not hydraulic or electric but are set at a certain trim level to assist you when getting up on plane. They look like they are made of a hard plastic. They are called “Smart Tabs”.
John
'Still don’t understand what ‘squirlly’ means.
You have a hull that is essentially flat in the rear 1/3. It is not a sports car (e.g. Porsche) that will go where you point it. With that flat butt, she will likely slide sideways a lot and grab an edge as she hits waves. All of that is normal. How is your ‘squirlly’ different from that?
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
I once had a 19 ’ Allison with a black max 225 and it would get squarely when you trimed it up to far, ended up inataling trim tabs and relocating the batterys, and used some good sense!
what year is the hull?
the older 17s were much more stable than the newer much narrow style hull
quote:
Originally posted by chris Vwhat year is the hull?
the older 17s were much more stable than the newer much narrow style hullwww.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
98