Frank Slover wrote:

Hi Guys,
Just reading your recent posts. I still haven’t done anything to correct the leaning problem I’m having, which started this whole thread. I’ve been looking at Lenco Limited Space Trim Tabs. I think they will fit with the kicker motor but I’m not sure so I continue to hesitate and live with the problem. More recently I did a little reading up on props and was thinking about prop torque as Dan mentioned. I have the Yamaha 115 and it’s plenty fast enough. I can’t imagine a 150 on a boat that size and weight. My current prop is a 19 pitch. I was thinking about trying a 15 or 17 pitch to see if that helps. Someone mentioned moving the rear battery. That is an option I thought of but I didn’t think the weight of one battery could make that big of a difference.
Dan – I’ve been dealing with Towne Marine in Bloomsburg PA. Are you in PA? May I ask what dealer you went through?
Frank

If you have both a kicker and your battery on the port side im not surprised at all that you have a lean to port. I run without a kicker and 2 batteries in the back one port and one starboard that i added.
I run mostly trimmed down with the engine and im totally level by myself or with a passenger seated next to me.

I tend to agree with you but not with actual facts, only that it makes sense seeing what I’ve seent with my 115. I only wanted a 90 (originally) but the boat was packaged with the 115 and it would have actually cost more for the 90 so I went with the 115. Its a lot of engine…every bit of what I’d need and I don’t feel like I’d need more. I don’t tend to run fast. For me 30 is fast enough and I can easily cruise with that at just over 4K on RPMs. I’ve pushed it right to 6K with no ill effects on handling (calm conditions) but thats just extra fuel burn so I usually don’t bother. The 150 is also heavier and may tend to ride your bow higher adding to instability. I’m assuming you already have 2 batteries up front. Adding another 50 lbs up there might be worth a try.

Let me also add another dumb follow up “suggestion”. They installed manual trim tabs. Have you thought about pulling the starboard trim tab? If your listing port the starboard tab is helping cause that while at the same time the port tab could still dampen the porposing (as could the added bow weight). Dumb as it sounds perhaps that might help counter the torque and let you use the power more balanced. I don’t have manual tabs but I would wonder if you could temporarily disconnect the starboard tab and duct tape it in place or something stupid like that for a test (without unscrewing it from the transom). It would be a little silly (one tab) but if it works who cares.

Side note. I’m fishing lake ontario so I’m running a fish hawk unit. The transducer on that is huge and is on my port side way out by the edge. Its 3x the size of my Lowrance transducer which is starbord side but the lowrance one is closer to the motor. That fish hawk transducer throws a LOT of spray. I’m wondering if its providing me a bit of the effect I’m suggesting to you (ie tab on the port but not on the starboard). I could be fully of crap but there are some added thoughts for you.

Found this and see that its old but figured I’d reply if it helps. I have an 18 Pro and like it a lot. I run lake Ontario. I don’t have a listing problem that’s out of the norm. If I have two guys on one side or strange weight distribution sure a little. But running with 1 2 or 3 guys. No problem. I have a 115 yamaha I have 2 batteries up front. I replaced the starter battery on the port side rear with a group 29 sized battery. On the starboard side rear I put a second battery group 27 sized and wired to a perko switch as a backup. It helps balance things. I run bow trimmed down mostly if any chop or waves. I’ll trim up only if flat calm. Tends to porpoise more in chop trimmed up. Trimmed down I don’t feel like I plow at all. Trimmed up I don’t see a lot of benefit. Perhaps 1-2 MPH if flat calm and trimmed up a little. I use to list to port some (but not scary) with a passenger on the port side. But that went away after I added the group 27 battery that I added on the starboard side. This boat would not deal well with a kicker motor on the port side and also the battery on the port side. You would have to have a single battery (moved to starboard side), no battery on port in order to have the kicker on the port side. With my configuration I can do up to 42 to 43 mph flat out fully calm and trimmed up a little. Fully stable and centered with me only and /or passenger on port side. 3rd passenger would be best if leaning toward center although I rarely have 3 people out. That battery on the starboard side really helped….plus its backup power so win win for me.