Bow heavy Sceptre

jobu · #1 08-27-2007, 09:38 AM

I now have about 100 hours on my Sceptre and I love it. I do however find it bow heavy. The previous owner had put some iron pellet ballast plates in the back of the boat. I couldn't figure out what they were for. They were incased in glass and then glassed and epoxied right onto the second tare of the hull. The workmanship was so poor and one was actually starting to slide around, so I removed them. They weighed about 150-170lbs. each and I didn't want them to damage anything. Now I realize that they were to help get the bow up. One day I (alone)was running wot at 35mph/gps and walked towards the back and picked up 3mph.
Eventually I will install a bracket and close off the transom...I am hoping this will add some leverege and help with my top end. Also I think it should make the boat run more effecient. I am not sure of the prop size but it gets out of the hole ok so I am thinking it is correct.
Any input on the bracket or helping with current configuration would be helpfull!!
thanks, joe

JohnB · #2 08-27-2007, 11:24 AM

I am not sure without seeing the pictures, but I believe those "weights" where put in from the factory. Mine had them too, ugly, and poorly put in. Mine broke lose, and knocked around some plumbing. I was lucky it didn't knock out one of the seacocks and sink the boat.

I am in the process of closing/bracketing my transom. I am putting a livewell in the back, and converting my in floor live well to a fish box. I am hoping this will help balance the boat. I have a large top (see my avatar), and it is a little nose heavy.

ScottM · #3 08-27-2007, 11:36 AM

Joe,
My father's '82 Sceptre was a little bow heavy until a few years ago when he did 2 things - repowered and hung the new motor (225hp Yamaha OX66) on a manual jack plate (6" setback) and converted the in-deck bait well area into storage. The combination of the motor/jack plate setup as well as placing the anchor/rode and few other items in the new storage area did away with the bow down attitude.

edloh · #4 08-29-2007, 12:05 AM

hello guys,

Is this issue only on the later Sceptre? I have a 77 model and had only been on it once, it is now being restored. I don't have and weight ballast in mine.

jobu · #5 08-29-2007, 08:50 AM

Not sure...mine weere about 8"wide 4"high and 22"long. They were wrapped in pale blue fiberglass and mounted to the bottom of the hull, one on each side.

abl1111 · #6 08-29-2007, 10:09 AM

Further clarification: outboards only ? My i/o seems balanced pretty well.

jobu · #7 08-30-2007, 08:12 AM

It seems to be on outboards...i don't think they would fit next to an i/o.

lost2a6 · #8 08-31-2007, 02:33 AM

Don't worry about it; it makes the boat ride better. My 82 Sceptre was a little bow heavy as well. We moved the gas tank back and this helped as long as it was full of gas. I installed the bracket on mine with the minimal flotation and it didn't really make a difference the way it sat at rest. On the other hand, my Seavette is light in the bow and it doesn't even come close to riding as well as my Sceptre did and they are the same identical hull. The Potter Sceptre doesn't do this because the bow is lighter.

ScottM · #9 09-01-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

The Potter Sceptre doesn't do this because the bow is lighter.

Any idea why the bow is lighter?

doodlebug · #10 09-02-2007, 09:19 AM

My sceptre was born with twin i/o's now with the twin 250's
it sits nose up as of now i have the 70 gal origional tank
that sits just forward of the origional engine compartment location it has a fish/storage box in front of the tank
i think i will cut this box out and move the tank up forward. to level the boat and make room for more gas.