1989 300 DA stern heavy?

[Grand Larsony]

I'm pretty sure all of these boats sit with the stern low in the water (all that I've seen anyhow) but is there anything that can be done?

Clearly, it is a design shortcoming due to the IOs so close to the transom, since this issue is not present in similar boats with straight drives (e.g. Express configuration).

I really dislike that my berth is not flat, that water accumulates in the rear part of the sink, and generally everything is uphill or downhill...

Would it be completely foolish to load about 300 lbs of play sand into the storage area under the front berth? We never use that space, we don't cruise very much (40-50 hours per year) and it would be easy enough to load (or remove if necessary). Don't care about the impact to gas expense, but would it even make a difference? Would the boat handle dramatically different?

Anyone ever tried to fix this problem???

 

[David M]

Before you do that, why not see just how much weight will be required to level the boat by having humans stand on the deck of the boat above the compartment you intend to fill with sand.

Water weighs about 8.35 pounds per gallon (fresh, I don't know the weight for salt). Get a bladder that has a gallon capacity that closely corresponds to the weight you need. Empty and fill as needed via the dockside water or a small pump over the side if at anchor.

Yes the extra weight will affect the way the boat handles. You could put you and your crew in danger through bow steer.

HTH.

 

[jtsmlarson]

You could switch to an all chain rode? I know ours does the same thing, but when we all climb in for bed it seems to level out just fine. It's a great boat and that's about the only shortfall.

I've been considering a larger freshwater tank and the V berth seems like a logical choice from a space standpoint. It would be easy to replumb the pump and lines....

 

[SCORPIO]

Yes they all sit like this. I actually like the pitch to the v-berth, I sleep with my head towards the bow and the down hill slant helps my acid reflux.LOL
I would be wary of adding ballast as it could make the boat handle unpredictabily.

 

[bob richards]

I like the idea of shifting weight rather than adding. What can you move forward?

 

[Andy65]

Never been a problem for me. Of course I am usually running with half full tanks, half water and 50lbs of gear under the forward berth. I like a v berth where your head is "up hill" as it is in the 30 DA but not so in many other boats. I actually find v berth itself close to level with a glass on the counter by the berth. But it has the illusion of sloping due to the floor rising before the bunk. The sink is intentionally tilted so it will drain better.