More boat balancing

[craigs06]

I drive a BumbleBee now, but will be driving a Bullet 21XDC in the next few months. Here's my question/comment. Bullet has either a 30 (20ft) or 36 (21 ft) gallon main fuel tank. Assuming that is enough for almost all situations. Suppose you got the two 10 gal aux tanks, rigged bilge or live well pumps to pump liquid back and forth in the saddle tanks to level the boat? (tanks are already vented so no issue there) Fill one tank with glycol (anti-freeze) at approx 8.5 lbs per gal. You could effectively move 160 lbs center of gravity with a flick of the switch or two. Maybe need less than 10 gals with experience. Be really easy to compensate for passenger weight or tackle loading. Thoughts??


Modified by craigs06 at 9:55 PM 10/15/2008

[dirt2801]

this would be a pretty good idea,,, but your adding weight and more weight slows you down , when the best thing to do is to distribute the weight you already have IE tackel spare prop and such to compensate. Just my 2 cents.

[unclemark]

What he said.

[Largemouthlou]

So when ya have a passenger 1/2 would have to be in your tank and his??

I agree it is just addding unneeded weight.. I had both saddle tanks in my 20XD and only used them when I first got the boat, I did use them for 3 day fishing trips so I didn't have to refill gas.. I found that going to a 2 battery system (both on the passenger side) Putting my battery charger on the shelf closest to the out side and useing the omc troller I needed 50# of ballast on the arm rest with all tackle in the passenger box I weight 240#..

If I was having another Bullet built I would have the passenger storage box made as if there was a saddle tank in place (no tank added), and in stead I would put 3 batteries there and have plenty of room to do it!!

[20xdBake]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Largemouthlou &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If I was having another Bullet built I would have the passenger storage box made as if there was a saddle tank in place (no tank added), and in stead I would put 3 batteries there and have plenty of room to do it!! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Darn good idea I have a saddle tank on the pass side and keep it full at all times then distribute the weight accordingly

[craigs06]

I hear some of you talking about adding shot bags to balance, which adds weight. 10 gal glycol would be 85#. I thought the trade off for weight over optimum balance might be a good thing. Also, I doubt you would need more than 5 gal after some experimenting. Not trying to disagree, just mostly thinking while typing.

[Largemouthlou]

But the shot bags can be removed from one run to another if passenger added.. the stuff in the tanks will still be in the boat on one side or the other.. Also shot bags can be localized and placed on the far arm rest for optimal use, sort of like a seesaw, less weight further to the end is better then more weight closer to the middle..

[craigs06]

Well, there went that idea. Going back to work on my portable personal telephone idea.....I think that might catch on.

[Largemouthlou]

I really is a good thought though

[unclemark]

We have some stuff at work that will remain un-named. It comed in a drum about 12"dia and 10" tall and weighs 110lbs... thats a bunch of weight in a small package.

[craigs06]

knot Ford, not Lincoln, but..............
Actually thought about that one before the glycol thing hit me.