What would you do????

[Ryan Pultz]

Hey all I got a question for you bass boat owners my brothers boat a 17ft straos bass boat and he wants me to go fishing with him my concern is the boat is rated for 580lb my brother is 300lb and I am 359lb so that puts us over the stickerd max of the boat. I dont think I am going to go but what do you all think do you go over the limit on your bass boats or should I say never mind and hit the local river alone for stripers. Or should i go but insist he go it slow and take it easy. thanks everyone Rp

[Sandz]

Go and just be aware of whats going on, it shouldnt be to much a problem. Ive put more in less :wink:

[ExBassGuide]

Remove any thing not needed and take it slow and put your P.F.D. on and keep it on. but you should be safe. I have gone over the limit from time to time. Also most bass boats will not sink they have floatation that will keep it upwright it the water. Stick to lakes and if it starts to get windy call it a day. It's ALWAYS better to be safe than to just have some fun! get a bigger boat or take turns fishing from the boat! Its up to you, but over loading a boat is not a good idea! Boats are rated to handle bad weather and wind safely, so if conditions are clam and you do not get wild with the motor and TURNING you should be fine. It's really up to you.

[Ryan Pultz]

thanks you two anyone else got some info to pitch in before I make up my mind. rp

[basswrecker]

Like anything else Boats are underrated as well you should have no problem but always be aware of the weather conditions that is the best information any one can give you WATCH THE WIND WATCH THE WIND wind is the worst thing for us fisherman especially on a river and most important use your own best judgement

:cheers: :lurk: :dance: :yay: :jester:

[FelonFinder]

I got a fix that's both practical and stylish. Attach like 500 large helium ballons to the boat's various ties. Make sure to use a variety of colors or it won't be nearly as fun! If anyone says anything, pull off a ballon, suck it down, and cuss them out!

[Ryan Pultz]

I have decided not to go out with my brother. No due to the boat but his attitude of thinking he is the best boats man out there and his admittance that he would not take it easy and in his words will drive his dam boat however he wanted. so I will fish off the bank tomorrow. thanks everyone. Rp

[Cliff]

Well hope you do well on the bank, always better to be safe than sorry i guess

[FelonFinder]

Many things happen for a reason. Maybe this is one of them. Who knows how many bad situations we get spared from day in and day out. Taking a swim doesn't scare me, losing the tackle box does...

PR

[Hunt'nFish]

Ryan,
You sure on that 580lb rating?
My 17.5 Tracker is rated for a fair bit more than that and I find it hard to believe a nearly equal sized Stratos would hold up less. My uncle & I are ~550lb combined and I have over 200lbs of fuel & batteries on board!! Not to mention tackle boxes and other CR@P. Shoot there's probably 100lb of water in the livewell to boot!
I hear your concern. Watch water & weather conditions and you be the judge. It's not like we big guys will sink! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Remember fat floats!

Shame on you for fishing alone for Stripers...call ME!
Seriously, PM me on this striper thing, it's one fish left on my "To Do List" Have boat , can travel.

W.Tracker

[sbasser]

Wouldn't the total allowable include tackle, safety equipment, anchor, etc? That's a scary thought, huh? The waves flow in and out of my transom well drains with just lil' ol' me aboard (225 lbs). More weight in the bow (me) would actually help. I'm workin' on it.

FWIW, when I had the transom of my boat rebuilt, (Nitro 180TF, 17.5'), of course, the seat and deck was all off. I looked at the foam in the hull (all in the bottom) and asked the (very experienced & reputable) repairman, if he thought that much foam would float the boat with batteries, 150hp Merc, big TM, anchor, spare prop, tackle, etc. "Not a chance in hell." On the plus side, remember that gas floats, and an empty gas tank is better yet. Still, I'd rather not run it out of gas, ya know. AND NEVER, EVER, anchor off a stern cleat. ALWAYS tie the anchor to the bow. Even then, be prepared to cut the anchor rope in a hurry, if something is going bad wrong. :help: C&R, Steve

[Hunt'nFish]

AND NEVER, EVER, anchor off a stern cleat. ALWAYS tie the anchor to the bow. Even then, be prepared to cut the anchor rope in a hurry, if something is going bad wrong.



AMEN sbasser!!!!

Unfortunately the amount of foam has little to do with how much you can stick in a boat. Maximum displacable weight and max floatable weight are too differant things. However once the boat goes under floation becomes a VERY big deal. As some of the old Ranger commercials used to show, a boat with adaquate foam can infact stay afloat even when full of water. The problem is most spray in foam water logged w/ time and becomes useless. Styrofoam is unaffected by water and will not water log. If you remodel a boat remove all the spray in foam in the floor and bilge and replace with stryofoam pannels cut to fit where ever possable. Spray in foam is ok in the gunwales and raised deck areas that aren't exposed to bilge water. But keep in mind spilt fuel will melt stryofoam.

Things to think about.
W.Tracker