Trim tabs

[NOLA Riverrat]

I may be taking over CaptMin's '67 19' Bowrider. We noticed that when going in shallow water and tilting the outdrive up, the stern of course was pushed down. Also, when shooting out of the hole, the bow took a while to come down. We were wondering if TT would push the stern up at slow speed and of course push the bow down faster on take-off.

[BigLew]

Bringing the bow down upon acceleration is something the tabs will do and their effect increases as velocity builds. At slow speeds (3-8 knots), which is typical in shallow waters, their effect will be minimal at best. You are just way down in the displacement range vs. planning speeds. Further, tilting the outdrive up for shallow water running creates a significant downward thrust, thus driving the stern down and thus the bow up.

[NOLA Riverrat]

So basically there is no way to lift the stern when traversing water just deep enough for the hull.

[BigLew]

First, I am not an expert!

However, I know of no product that will appreciably lift the stern in shallow water conditions with the outdrive lifted short of some sort of supplemental inflation attachment attached to the hull. That said, being a Bowrider and the typical loading that takes place with most added gear, coolers, etc. placed aft of the walk-thru, you could probably gain some advantage by moving as much weight forward as is practical.

JMHO, Good Luck.

[BigLew]

PS. An after thought.

I have a 23' Scepter with a 260 HP Volvo I/O. My hull draws about 12"-16" and the outdirve, when tilted up adds maybe another foot or less, at a minimum. That means I can navigate in 25-30" of water. How shallow do you really need to get into. Less than that your messing up the bottom and possibly sucking sand into your cooling system. (Not a good idea. It tends to REALLY shorten the impeller's life expectancy.)

[NOLA Riverrat]

Thanks Big Lew. I was trying to show my son-in-law that a deep V could navigate in almost as shallow water as a bay boat because the same downward thrust to the stern would cause the bay boat to draw more water. I guess I'll have to show him the benefits of the bowrider and higher freeboard for his family.

[BigLew]

NOLA Riverrat,

If you are looking for a sea worthy boat able to get you into skinny water and yet able to handle some of the chop and small seas, I'd look at the Easterns. They are made up here in NH and they are quite a boat. While not a deep vee, they borrow a lot of performance characteristics from the Novi Lobster boat hull design. Very effiecient- good speed from little power and very seaworthy. Top end is in the 25-30 knot range, but under that they will handle some pretty challenging conditions. The smallest they make is 18' and most, if not all, are CC's or Pilothouse designs. Nice fit and finish and solidly built, but are not Country Club finish, ala. Searay, Doral or Grady. Just a thought. They aren't cheap, but they hold their value because knowledgeable buyers know what they are buying.

A used one: http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi..._id=39384&url=

Their website:http://www.easternboats.com/

[NOLA Riverrat]

Thanks again Big Lew for the input. I guess we'll just have to take our time going into shallow water with the SeaCraft.

[Tarpun]

In the real world most bay boats draft as much as a 20' Seacraft. Most bay boats spec out at 11" to 14" draft according to manufacturers sales brochures thats for an unloaded boat. Reality adds 1" - 2" more. Big Lew offers good advice. Adjust your load, take your time, and you should be fine. I have always considered the SF20 the original bay boat. If you need to get really shallow you need a flats skiff.

[RWatts23]

I use to have a Tran Sport, which is like a Gulf Coast- both are pop off's of the old low profile Whaler with a tunnel added. I loved this boat, I called it my SUV- sport utility vessel, was about the best all around boat, would run it 50+ miles in the gulf, it would beat you up though. With the tunnel and a jack plate, it would get up and plane in 14" of water w/sandy bottom, even less in mud. What ever you run, there is a sacrifice.