Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

I'm new to this forum. I just bought a 2001 SX180 Skeeter and noticed that the bow rides higher than other bass boats that I've been in. It has three batteries and gas tank in the stern and most of the weight is back there when on plane or trolling. Usually I have three people on board. I've tried to move weight around to balance the boat, one person at the bow, middle and stern, but the bow still rides high enough that sometime the trolling motor comes out of the water. Besides putting 100lbs sand bags at the bow, what else can be done to lower it? I;ve also noticed that the boat tends to drift more when the bow sits so high. Thanks for your suggestions.

call phils propeller in redding. They are masters of getting the best performance out of your boat.
Bryan Cox

*NM*

Does the boat have a jack plate? Most Skeeters I've seen have jack plates installed due to the design of the transom. If not, you might need to install one. Sounds like the motor is sitting too high. If the motor is mounted too high on the transom, you might be able to save some $$ by renting a cherry picker and lowering the motor. One bolt hole adjustment down at a time, then test drive. Keep lowering the motor till the bow stabilizes. It's a fine line tweeking the level of the motor to get the best holeshot and speed combination. I don't understand the issue with the trolling motor coming out of the water....you've got me guessing on that one.

PM me if you need any other advice. I have been through this scenario with 2 Rangers.

drrakruz wrote:Does the boat have a jack plate? Most Skeeters I've seen have jack plates installed due to the design of the transom. If not, you might need to install one.

NOT so fast ... I thought about buying one of the newer SX200s and did a little digging on that. What I have heard and read is that the SX hulls are NOT designed for use of jack plates. I've read that if installed, Skeeter will void any warrantee you might still have on the hull. Better check w/ a Skeeter dealer before installing a plate on this boat.

I think that he means the problem is when he is fishing not running.

I would check to see if your boat is taking on water. Do you ever pull your drain plug? Or turn on the bilge. It should be auto but maybe it is not working.

2001 is NOT that new, though I do agree checking with Skeeter's warranty policy for that particular boat and year. As I suggested, if the boat does NOT have a jack plate, the owner could experiment by lowering the motor one bolt hole at a time and test driving after each adjustment as a starting point.

What prop are to running?

I know when I had a 3 blade on my skeeter, the bow rode WAY up in the air whick is what I wanted.

When I had a 4 blade, it rode fairly level.

I put a 5 blade on one day and it rode almost bow down and speared every wave.

Like Brian said, call Phill's prop, or try Boatmasters in Dublin.

tahoerunner wrote:... but the bow still rides high enough that sometime the trolling motor comes out of the water. Besides putting 100lbs sand bags at the bow, what else can be done to lower it? I've also noticed that the boat tends to drift more when the bow sits so high.

jack plate/prop ain't going to help much if he's asking about getting the nose down while the big motor is shut off

Right! I would contact Galaxy or a local Skeeter Dealership. The skeeters I have been in it seemed to me the bow was very close to the water. I cant believe Iam saying this, but YOU NEED MORE STUFF IN YOUR BOAT! Call Jigs right now and start ordering plastics and jigs until the bow sits 3" above the water line

MikeD wrote:

tahoerunner wrote:... but the bow still rides high enough that sometime the trolling motor comes out of the water. Besides putting 100lbs sand bags at the bow, what else can be done to lower it? I've also noticed that the boat tends to drift more when the bow sits so high.

jack plate ain't going to help much if he's asking about getting the nose down while the big motor is shut off

Thats what I was trying to say. I dont think they read slowly enough.

What WHAT read something before auto repling....thats just crazy talk right there.

Next you are going to suggest that we do not push sponsors in all signatures and replies....geeesh!

tahoerunner wrote:I'm new to this forum. I just bought a 2001 SX180 Skeeter and noticed that the bow rides higher than other bass boats that I've been in. It has three batteries and gas tank in the stern and most of the weight is back there when on plane or trolling. Usually I have three people on board. I've tried to move weight around to balance the boat, one person at the bow, middle and stern, but the bow still rides high enough that sometime the trolling motor comes out of the water. Besides putting 100lbs sand bags at the bow, what else can be done to lower it? I;ve also noticed that the boat tends to drift more when the bow sits so high. Thanks for your suggestions.

First off you should have bought A BassCat and that would have ended ALL of your problems. J/K I like skeeters too. You might need to get A longer trolling motor shaft. That should help while fishing. Now when on plane Skeeters are know to run nose high its just there nature SPEED!!!!!!!!!!!

NaCl wrote:*NM*

Im guessing water in hull as well. How does it ride with 3 up front ?
WHILE USING THE TROLLING MOTOR.


B343

Check with Gone Fishin' Marine in Loomis or Dixon. They're now the local Skeeter dealer in the area. Really know their stuff & great customer service.

tahoerunner wrote:I'm new to this forum. I just bought a 2001 SX180 Skeeter and noticed that the bow rides higher than other bass boats that I've been in. It has three batteries and gas tank in the stern and most of the weight is back there when on plane or trolling. Usually I have three people on board. I've tried to move weight around to balance the boat, one person at the bow, middle and stern, but the bow still rides high enough that sometime the trolling motor comes out of the water. Besides putting 100lbs sand bags at the bow, what else can be done to lower it? I;ve also noticed that the boat tends to drift more when the bow sits so high. Thanks for your suggestions.

A 18 FT BASS BOAT WITH THREE PEOPLE, THREE BATTERIES AND FULL TANK OF GAS, AND PROBABLY A 175 MERC, IT IS GOING TO RIDE HIGH AT THE BOW WHEN USING TROLLING MOTOR......YOU MAY NEED LONGER SHAFT TROLLING MOTOR AND MOTORGUIDE AND MINNKOTA MAKE SEVERAL MODELS. MAY NEED TO TOSS ONE ANGLER OUT OF THE BOAT IF HE IS A BIG ONE. AND DON'T RUN WITH FULL TANK OF FUEL, WE NEVER DO...WE WOULD BE GLAD TO SELL YOU COUPLE HUNDRED POUNDS OF PLASTICS AND SOME LEAD OR A NEW TROLLING MOTOR WITH LONGER SHAFT OR A LONGER BASS BOAT....

JIGS

bruizer343 wrote:

NaCl wrote:*NM*

Way to participate Dean, I just cancelled my "Inside Line" subscription. Having to read your dribble in 2 places was more than I could stand.

B343

Im guessing water in hull as well. How doeas it ride with 3 up front ?

Do you ever have any positive input????????

tahoerunner, sent you a P.M.

I have an 07 zx 225, and the nose sits higher than my 99, thats just how they ride pretty much. with a skeeter its best to put a 52 inch shaft on them, thats just how it is. It sits higher than my 99 skeeter also. basically just get a longer shaft.

First...the proper word is "drivel", not dribble. One means nonsense, the other means you had too much beer or a really bad prostate. I don't particularly care about your opinion of Inside Line. Some people love it, some don't...ain't it a great country?!

Second...I have only written one article for Inside Line in the past year and a half so I'm not sure what you are talking about. Most of my writing has been as a ghost writer for several other big name fishermen. Or, are you criticizing their material as well?

Third...when you criticize me for not offering a constructive suggestion about this Skeeter problem", apparently you did not notice the "LOL" after my tongue-in-cheek joke. Truth is, I have never owned a Skeeter and I feel the best people to offer this guy credible suggestions are other Skeeter owners. Your suggestion to try running with three people "up front" is totally dangerous. What were you thinking?

I chose to make a harmless joke and leave the best advice to the qualified Skeeter people, of which, there are many here on Western Bass. I am particularly impressed with M Warner's response. I think he hit the nail on the head. Some boats (Champion, for example) are designed to ride high when running and at rest. You come to appreciate such characteristics when running in nasty conditions or fishing a rock pile in front of Rattlesnake in 30mph winds. Flat-riding boats take lots of water over the bow while high-riding boats are much better able to handle swells both running and fishing. They just need a longer TM shaft to turn lemons into lemonade...just like M Warner said.

Last...I don't know you. You seem way too sensitive. Dude, lighten up! When was it NOT okay to joke with others about our boat loyalties? If you can't take a joke or some harmless teasing in the bass fishing community, then you won't last long.

Sincerely,

.....NaCl

tahoerunner wrote:I'm new to this forum. I just bought a 2001 SX180 Skeeter and noticed that the bow rides higher than other bass boats that I've been in................sometime the trolling motor comes out of the water.

By chance has your trolling motor shaft been pulled up? There is a collar knob that adjusts how much shaft is in the water. Some people will pull the shaft up so that the motor is shallow as when running through weeds. You can conversely loosen the collar and put more of the shaft into the water then re-tighten. I have my shaft pulled up in the summer for weeds and lower it in the winter and spring for wavy conditions. Could be a simple solution if some had the shaft pulled up before you got the boat.

-v

Jackplate will cause boat to ride higher in front . The farther back any weight is in the boat, the lower the stern will sit and the higher the bow. with that said, if it has a jackplate try a shorter one or none. If it does'nt have a plate, batteries, chargers, spare props, anchors, all have an effect on the way your boat sits, If you've done all you can and do get a longer TM with a 52" shaft see if you can also get a differnt mount. I had a 52" motorguide installed on my Champion, but it came with the same mount as the shorter model. Each time you used it , it had to be lowered on the bracket by hand.

NaCl wrote:First...the proper word is "drivel", not dribble. One means nonsense, the other means you had too much beer or a really bad prostate. I don't particularly care about your opinion of Inside Line. Some people love it, some don't...ain't it a great country?!

Second...I have only written one article for Inside Line in the past year and a half so I'm not sure what you are talking about. Most of my writing has been as a ghost writer for several other big name fishermen. Or, are you criticizing their material as well?

Third...when you criticize me for not offering a constructive suggestion about this Skeeter problem", apparently you did not notice the "LOL" after my tongue-in-cheek joke. Truth is, I have never owned a Skeeter and I feel the best people to offer this guy credible suggestions are other Skeeter owners. Your suggestion to try running with three people "up front" is totally dangerous. What were you thinking?

I chose to make a harmless joke and leave the best advice to the qualified Skeeter people, of which, there are many here on Western Bass. I am particularly impressed with M Warner's response. I think he hit the nail on the head. Some boats (Champion, for example) are designed to ride high when running and at rest. You come to appreciate such characteristics when running in nasty conditions or fishing a rock pile in front of Rattlesnake in 30mph winds. Flat-riding boats take lots of water over the bow while high-riding boats are much better able to handle swells both running and fishing. They just need a longer TM shaft to turn lemons into lemonade...just like M Warner said.

Last...I don't know you. You seem way too sensitive. Dude, lighten up! When was it NOT okay to joke with others about our boat loyalties? If you can't take a joke or some harmless teasing in the bass fishing community, then you won't last long.

Sincerely,

.....NaCl

Ignore Bruizer he doesn't get out much and he doesn't own A BassCat so his opinion doesn't matter.