Newbie question!

I've recently got a 1/2 share in the use of a 12ft Fyran tinny. No problems when there are two of us out in it, but whenI take it out on my own I find it quite unstable and awkward to handle. Before I can get the boat onto the plane the angle is very steep and the wife back on shore was wondering what I was trying to do!! Once I get it onto the plane the slightest ripple seems to send me off at an odd angle. Neither of these were a problem when I had someone sitting up front so I am guessing its all down to balance / ballast. What I'm looking for is some advice on how best to handle the boat in these condiitons - and/ or how to balance it - using some sort of ballast etc? Any ideas folks?

A couple bags of sand in the bow should do it,  plus I wouldn't stand up  in it very much.    And welcome to the board.

Alimat,

    A couple of suggestions.  There are tiller extensions which allow you sit further forward in the baot while still controlling the motor.  It depends on the outboard but stop in to a marine shop and get some advice.  Moving gear forward like your tote tank also helps.  I think those permatrims will also help as they lift the bum of the boat out quicker.  Good luck

    Cheers

        DA

Hi Alimat,

Firstly welcome, what hp is the motor, and what clip (trim) setting is is on, when I had a 9.9 powering mine, it would put it's nose up if you gave it full gas, but would settle down quite quickly and get on the plane.

Cheers Wefaknis

its the pin which adjusts the trim of the motor

ie:trim the motor up to lift the bow

  trim the motor down to lower the bow

you could aslo try and get some forward controls so you are sitting at the bow hope this helps a bit

 We've got a 12 ft Fyran. The place to sit when its just you is on the middle bench seat in middle of the boat. To steer and control throttle i use a long piece of pvc pipe that just fits the tiller being jammed up it.  You cut the pvc pipe to what length suits you sitting middle of boat.  It can help dunking the pvc pipe in boiling hot water to soften up pipe for jammimng on first time. After that it kinda moulds in after lots of use. the pipe is a cheap tiller extension and works well.  I've had know need to put sandbags up front and even have full gas tank between rear and middle seats, though if you like and have a long enough hose put fuel tank between middle and front seat.

Hope helps Kahawai

Good Idea Kahawai - I could try that - but with some sort of mod as the engine cut off is in the centre of the end of the tiller / throttle - or do you have that too?

Snapphappy - I wondered about the forward controls too - I guess I could go ask some local dealer - do you - or anyone else - know how easy / feasible it is to fit these to an existing boat.

 Hi Alimat,

  No i have a 15 hp Yamaha with kill switch on face of motor. The pvc tiller extension comes on and off by pulling ,real easy. You could just pull it off and then cut the motor, then jam it on when you want to go. I pull ours on and off over the course of a trip depending on what i want to do with motor.

Any way have a think about it.

Cheers Kahawai

Try setting the pin on the motor to the second setting, and see what happens, With a 20 hp motor the thing must be lethal.

You should that seen what happen when I left the motor in shallow water drive, when I gunned the motor, bow up big time.

Wefaknis

Alimat,

    I think the commercially available extensions have the cut off switch on the extension like this http://outfittersparadise.com/t/Trolling_Motors/Ironwood_Pacific_Telescopic_Tiller_Extension_Handle_with_Universal_Joint_13088193.htm">http://outfittersparadise.com/t/Trolling_Motors/Ironwood_Pacific_Telescopic_Tiller_Extension_Handle_with_Universal_Joint_13088193.htm.  I'd be worried about Kahawai doing all that pulling over the course of a trip.  But seriously, I've used the PVC pipe before and it works well.  Just take it slowly until you get the hang of it.

       CHeers

          DA

motors to big for the boat by the sounds of it,

i have no trouble steering from the back seat of my 12 foot fry pan, its got a 15 yammie on the back.

ballast at front will help if by yourself, if its rather rough and im by my self i usually run with the wind to get up on plane then go in the direction i want to.

in your case id go with the forward mounted controls as others suggested

yeah i agree - sounds a bit overpowered to me.

moving as much weight forward - with tiller extensions and perhaps an extension to the fuel line should solve all your problems

i think mostly that the engine trim seems to work best on those boats when the pin is in the second from bottom hole ie: fair bit of trim in.

Sounds like you need to fill the front of the boat up with dead fish to keep it balanced.  A few of the forum members may be able to help you there.

Of course, in my tinny there is always plenty of ballast water in the front of the hull (the sealed [watertight] section?!) so it's never a problem!!  With a frying pan, you'll soon have the same problem if you take it out and bash it into a chop for an hour or so.

reid my fry pans been bashed for 20 years plus, its now becoming a bit dodgy, all those years of straining under snapper and kingys.

good boat the old fry pan

Silicon and thick house paint, Sweet as.

alimat this may be just what you need

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mcat-0001-0348-1264-/0001-0348-1264-/auction-11169382.htm">http://www.trademe.co.nz/mcat-0001-0348-1264-/0001-0348-1264-/auction-11169382.htm

and this

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mcat-0001-0348-1264-/0001-0348-1264-/auction-11169382.htm">http://www.trademe.co.nz/mcat-0001-0348-1264-/0001-0348-1264-/auction-11169382.htm

Agree with Wayne - that outboard is pretty serious for a 12 footer. Too much weight aft, and possibly trimmed out too far.

Bloody good little boat the F12, I've spent many many happy hours fishing aboard one. We used to be able  leave work and be fishing an hour later off Long Bay in the evenings (good fishing until the marine reserve nazis moved in).

Ok - well thanks for all the advice guys. Personally I find the 20 horse is great when I have the brother in law up front and the HUGE load of fish he always catches(!) and honestly - it (the motor) ain't gonna change - so I'll be looking at the other suggestions. I've only recently got into this and find the boat a fine size for me. Next time I'm down at the beach I will check out the trim (done a bit of research on that - thanks!) - and I like the idea of the extension (or the sandbag). i got a lot of options to look at now.

Thanks everyone