kstrayhorn
Well-known member
I have done a lot of searching and have mostly found only information about static stability. I am trying to find out about improving the side-to-side stability on my Alumacraft 1232 while moving. Got a motor for it this week, which was advertised as an '87 Evinrude 9.9 but turned out to be an '86 15 with '87 9.9 engine cover cowling. Oviously, that's a lot of motor for that boat. I had water over the gunwale several times while trying it out. The stability seemed to be helped a bit by adjusting the trim, and I feel like it would be even better with at least some weight at the bow. However, I am looking for other ideas to further help as I have fished gear out of the bottom of lakes and rivers before and I would very much like to never have I do so ever again. So this is where I stand with several ideas and more questions.
The first idea I had was some sort of sponsons or outriggers. The system I have imagined up is a pyramid shaped group of 3 5' long 4" PVC sections with some kind of pointed ducting cap on the end for improved hydrodynamics. This would be attached to the boat through oarlock sockets mounted on the outside of the gunwale to make them removable. Obviously one on each side in an outrigger style. However, I don't know if these would work and how well, or how far out to each side I should put them.
I had questions about other possible ideas as well. I have seen hydrofoils and such that claim to help the boat plane faster, which I can plane extremely quickly. But do these have any kind of stability effects as well?
Also, I am strongly considering getting or making a jack plate since I will probably be running the boat pretty shallow on occasion. Considering the physics of these led me to think that having the prop shallower would not push the stern as far in the water when in motion, yielding more boat/water surface contact, and therefore better stability especially off-plane.
Other considerations included a filler extension so I could pilot from the middle bench and have finer control over steering due to leverage, fulcrum length, etc. and obviously stern pods when I can afford them since I really need to build a trailer next.
So what do yall think? Which of these, or any other idea, works best for what I need?
As always, your help is appreciated.
The first idea I had was some sort of sponsons or outriggers. The system I have imagined up is a pyramid shaped group of 3 5' long 4" PVC sections with some kind of pointed ducting cap on the end for improved hydrodynamics. This would be attached to the boat through oarlock sockets mounted on the outside of the gunwale to make them removable. Obviously one on each side in an outrigger style. However, I don't know if these would work and how well, or how far out to each side I should put them.
I had questions about other possible ideas as well. I have seen hydrofoils and such that claim to help the boat plane faster, which I can plane extremely quickly. But do these have any kind of stability effects as well?
Also, I am strongly considering getting or making a jack plate since I will probably be running the boat pretty shallow on occasion. Considering the physics of these led me to think that having the prop shallower would not push the stern as far in the water when in motion, yielding more boat/water surface contact, and therefore better stability especially off-plane.
Other considerations included a filler extension so I could pilot from the middle bench and have finer control over steering due to leverage, fulcrum length, etc. and obviously stern pods when I can afford them since I really need to build a trailer next.
So what do yall think? Which of these, or any other idea, works best for what I need?
As always, your help is appreciated.