more weight up front

[ydna]

Do any of you Blazer owners feel there's not enough weight up front when heading into fairly large waves? Like you could possibly even flip the boat! I have a 2006 190 pro-v and sometimes wish my 2 trolling motor batteries were up front. Right now in the rear compartment I have 3 batteries, two 22 gal. fuel tanks, the jack plate reservoir and a Stealth battery charger. On the transom is a 200 e-tec that weighs 417 pounds, (the lightest motor I could find). With livewells full, even more weight is toward the rear. Do I need to add some "dead" weight up front like bricks encased in padding, or water softener salt. Any advice is appreciated.

[GE Blazer]

I have never felt anything different on Blazer that any other boat going into waves. Are you trimming down??

[ydna]

Yes, I am trimming down, as much as possible without spearing a wave. Guess I just have to be careful on these big prairie reservoir waves.

[ydna]

Yes, I am trimming down, as much as possible without spearing a wave. Guess I just have to be careful on these big prairie reservoir waves.

Responses are still appreciated, even though this post is 10 years old. I now have an even heavier engine, an E-tec H.O. that is 504 pounds, on the same boat.

[Rebel1]

The only other thing you could do is go to a smaller jackplate, but I doubt it would matter a lot. A 190 IMO is not a good big water boat.

[Bigguyone]

I'd have to agree with Rebel1. If you are consistently planning to (or have to) run bigger water you should really consider going to a 20' boat minimum as even from 20' to 21' there is a difference.

[T-racer]

My 202 sucked in big water with a 500 pound optimax on the back. The rub rail literally went under water when I stood on back deck. I moved a battery up front. Still sucked. I went to a 225 pro max at 375 pounds, VASTLY improved ride and handling of that boat.

[ydna]

The only other thing you could do is go to a smaller jackplate, but I doubt it would matter a lot. A 190 IMO is not a good big water boat.

Thanks, Rebel1 and others. I actually had to get a new jackplate recently and went from an 8" setback to 10" and the ride seems about the same, although I have not tested it extensively. Maybe I'll get a bigger boat someday, but keep this one for going up narrower river chutes and shallow water.

[Midnight Rider]

IMO, on the 190, it's not just the length that makes it not so great a rough water boat, it's the hull. It tends to "slap" the water when in 2-3' rollers. It's better when trimmed down, but still not great. It's just the nature of the beast. Other than that, it's a fine boat for "normal" conditions.