Amberjack Starboard List

ALMike

New Member
Aug 9, 2016
20
Orange Beach, Alabama
Boat Info
2001 400 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Twin Cummings 6CTA 8.3
I'm looking at buying an '03 AmberJack 209 with big 6.2L engines from the 2nd owner of the boat. He has had it @7 years and said is has always listed on the starboard side. Is this a common thing on AmberJacks? He seems honest but the listing seems odd. The battery's seem to be the only items on that side that would offset weight.

Thank you for any insights.
 
I have only seen pictures of the Amberjacks, but they seem like great boats.
I have owned 5 boats from 25 to 31 feet. Two Sea Rays, one Bayliner, one Larson, and a VIP.
I manage a small fleet of 15 public safety boats from 14 ft to 45 feet.

Not one of the above boats lists when dead in the water or underway.

I agree. It seems very strange. I would not purchase the boat until I knew why it had a persistent list. Besides, if that is the design, get another boat. A constant list would aggravate me.

That’s just me.
 
Are the both engines running the same rpm, assuming someone didn't put a different prop on one? Might one of the drives be out of whack, I.E. it hit something. Steering linkage out if whack as well? Spitballing ideas..
 
The list is only noticeable at the dock. It did not seem noticeable while underway. Thank you for any insights. This is currently close to a deal break of me until I can figure it out.
 
Check for water tank and waste tank location. When full they may cause listing. Another possibility- pull boat out and check hull with moisture meter. Saturated fiberglass may be a reason for listing.
 
Since you are seeing red flags on this one, a professional survey is absolutely necessary.
The list may be explainable and benign. But I would certainly not purchase that boat before I knew for certain. I have been on boats most of my life and have had training on vessel stability, Center of Buoyancy/Center of Gravity. They just don’t lean without a reason. A list causes the submerged part of the hull to change shape and moves the center of buoyancy away from the center of gravity. The result is an unstable boat.

If a surveyor can’t solve the mystery, find another boat.
 
not the same boat but similar size - our 98 290 will list slightly to port if the waste and water tanks are empty. They are both on the starboard side, but 3 Group 27 batteries and a 4kw generator are on the port side and add significant weight. The galley is also to port which is where all kinds of crap gets stored along with a full fridge.

Check locations of the heavy stuff and as mentioned fill the water tank if it's not already. If it levels out, it might be normal.
 
not the same boat but similar size - our 98 290 will list slightly to port if the waste and water tanks are empty. They are both on the starboard side, but 3 Group 27 batteries and a 4kw generator are on the port side and add significant weight. The galley is also to port which is where all kinds of crap gets stored along with a full fridge.

Check locations of the heavy stuff and as mentioned fill the water tank if it's not already. If it levels out, it might be normal.

That is a perfectly benign reason for a list. I guess the designers distributed the load in your boat expecting the potable water to be full and as it emptied, the holding tank would accept the load.

I believe there may be a good explanation for the other boats list, but since he doesn’t know, a survey could find that reason. Surveys are good ideas anyway.

I am glad you posted that info on your boat.
 

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