Running Angle for a 23 SF

[Trey1096]

I’m in the process of redoing my console. It’s the big console on a 23, and in it, I cary 25 gallons of fresh water and 2 DieHard Platinum AGM batteries. For power, it has a single 225 Opti mounted on a 4” jack plate.

Part of the project is replacing the bulkhead that separates the front of the console from the part under the helm. I’ve got an S1000 autopilot and the brains for the system require the unit to be mounted in a vertical position, +/- 5 degrees.

The old bulkhead was installed square with the bottom flange. Since the boat is always operating with a downhill slope from fore to aft, I had mounted the autopilot brain with some shims at the top to give it a bit of tilt. I don’t think the mounting angle ever gave me any issues, but I know it was close to the 5 degrees.

I always intended to measure the angle of the floor when I was on plane and trolling, but of course, I never did. Does anyone know the angle of the floor off level for a 23 CC while on plane and while running at around 5-7 knots?

I know it’s a bit different for each boat, but I’m not building a piano. Right now, I’m thinking about installing the bulkhead with about 5deg forward tilt.

Thanks,

Trey