i have a 18ft alum c/c. the boat is light up front and i was wondering if anyone has put weight up front before and if so what did you use and how much did it take to keep the bow down.. is this a bad idea or can it work...the main problem becomes the bow will stay up unless only one occupnat or the other occupntas will have to sit on live well seat which isnt always practical.

Are the batteries and gas tank in the back?

I had a 16' Dyna Track that I had to put a 50lb bag of sand in the front to keep it under control....
But I had 150HP on it too....

Doesn't sound like it is too light, maybe not proped right? Is this only on takeoff or on plane? I maybe misinterpreting what you are asking.

the gas and batteries are in the back and it has a 60 hp 2 stroke yamaha.

gary, i was not clear but i do get on plane typically very quick with a light load ...add 3 men and a bit longer..it will pull the bow down after taking off but usually the front end stays up a bit on plane and i start porpoising on plane ..so im not sure if wieght up front will correct this .i have a jackplate and tilt/trim but i still seem to porpoise even when messing with all types of possible configs on jack and tilt/trim

the prop size may be a good candidate to check out

Sounds to me like your weight distribution is wrong, but I believe a 60hp motor on an 18' center console is your main problem. What horsepower is the boat rated for.

sounds a bit underpowered...might help lowering motor a hair...if it is porpoising trim it down, if it still is ..need more power

thanks for the replies, the boat is rated for max 75 hp.
i run 33 mph with full load and 2 passengers so im thinking power is not the issue, but then again maybe it is. yamaha did a performance test on a newer but same model in 2004 using a 60hp but the max rating was 90 hp. i didnt see any issues with thier end result but who knows.

i'm gonna try 50 pounds up front first under the deck and see where that gets me i'll check by a prop guy and see what he thinks also, im running a s/s solas right now.

I would not add any additional weight. Just redistribute some of the weight you have in the rear and move it up front. Balance is the key.

if your running a standard solas prop (3 blade) that's your problem with the porpoising.
get ahold of a 3 blade power tech SCD (semi cleaver sst prop) or even a 4 blade scd. then have some cup put into it.
you'll be amazed at the difference!

another option would also be to have your current prop cupped, and try it again.

Tin CC's can be a bit of a handling challenge. My *best* fix was to install a set of step n trims and adjust as needed. That does all manners of good things, improves your holeshot, lets you stay on plane slower, and keeps the beast under control.

pat and steve, thanks that is exactly the kind of advise i was looking for based on personal experience. i am using a 3 blade solas...the porpoising is what i was attributing to the light wieght up front, so if the prop is causing it then all will be good. thanks again..

Porpoising means it's biting, cant hold the bow up, and then falling, as I understand it. 3 possible reasons for it:

1. Trimmed too high
2. Underpowered (or wrong prop)
3. Terrible weight distribution

I'm certainly no expert, but in your case, it sounds like weight distribution and/or trimmed too high.

Or having no dead rise.