Towing 390Motor Yacht with no engines (will it be too top heavy?)

funseeker

funseeker

New Member
May 30, 2013
20
New York
Boat Info
SeaRay 390 Motor Yacht.
Engines
Cummins 480 CE.
Wondering if I need balast to keep it from capsizing. It's 28,000 lbs dry weight and the cummins are each 1300lbs and have been removed. Not sure if this will cause instability. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. (it's only got a 3 foot draft so the removal of the engines may significantly change the hull profile)

(((My solution was to secure eight 30gal drums as close to the centerline and as far down into the engine compartment as I could. This would total 2000 lbs of ballast (250lbs of water per 30 gallon drum). I secured the drums with ratcheting straps to whatever surfaces could handle the load down there. Fortunately I had no winds on move day so there was no opportunity to test the solution in rough conditions but I suspect this solution would be fine in moderate conditions.)))
 

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I don't have any data to rely on, but I have run several MY's and they are top heavy and tend to roll a lot in any beam seas. Towing one with engines in place would be a challenge; towing with 2600lbs of engines removed isn't a risk I'd find acceptable.
 
You might replace ballast with a water bladder, 8lbs/gallon or sand bags
 
This is just a "somewhat" logical guess... I would think the bow would be pushing into the water too much and you might get a lot of bow steer. Combined with the enhanced top heavy nature and there "could" be significant rolling. On the other hand, if you're going a short distance in relatively protected water and will only go at idle speed... would most likely be just fine.
 
funseeker, since none of us has ever done something like you're about to do, how about taking lots of pics and posting them on here.
 
https://www.bayteccontainers.com/noname2.html
(150 Gallon) 48"W x 72"L x 12"H
Bags could go between the stingers...one in each ...one in the center
I approach every problem through the 7 step problem solving technique.... Work programmed me to think this way....

STEP 3: Brainstorm the solution
Brainstorming is usually a group based method where through gathering ideas the team endeavors to find an answer to the specific issue or problem. Brainstorming usually requires each member of the team to put forward their ideas.
Ideas are usually captured on a whiteboard, list, or set of post it notes in order to then evaluate them.
With Brain-storming it’s important to ensure all members of the team have an equal voice and that collection of ideas is seen as the priority. Do not let people take over this by thinking they have all the answers (especially the management!!) – you may be surprised by who in the team comes up with best contributions.
 
Blueone said:
https://www.bayteccontainers.com/noname2.html
(150 Gallon) 48"W x 72"L x 12"H
Bags could go between the stingers...one in each ...one in the center
I approach every problem through the 7 step problem solving technique.... Work programmed me to think this way....

STEP 3: Brainstorm the solution
Brainstorming is usually a group based method where through gathering ideas the team endeavors to find an answer to the specific issue or problem. Brainstorming usually requires each member of the team to put forward their ideas.
Ideas are usually captured on a whiteboard, list, or set of post it notes in order to then evaluate them.
With Brain-storming it’s important to ensure all members of the team have an equal voice and that collection of ideas is seen as the priority. Do not let people take over this by thinking they have all the answers (especially the management!!) – you may be surprised by who in the team comes up with best contributions.
Click to expand...

Oh, you mean like this; 2, no make it 3 if it makes you feel better,
of these
:https://www.harborfreight.com/28-ft...lective-heavy-duty-silver-tarpaulin-1436.html
laid in the gut, filled with water to your content of attitude. Couple stacks of cinder blocks appropriately placed should work fine for baffles?
 
I have to admit - it is really none of my business.

But I am curious about the scenario of why you are towing the boat with the engines removed. Not part of your initial post. Not your question. But I am curious if you choose to share
 
Curious as to why the engines were pulled and what the plan is. That must have been some job getting them out of the engine room and off the boat. Do you have pics? or did I miss a thread on this?
 
Blueone said:
Ya ..your tarps are a little expensive but good idea :)
Click to expand...

Yep, those size/grade tarps are not really necessary but I like fast, and adjustable the first time. Not to mention, if they were secured properly for the first job, they would be reusable.
Keeping the ballast as low as possible is easy with this approach also.
 
Brainstorming...

If we use water as the "dead" weight (as opposed to sand bags), we need to make sure it stays "dead". Some type of secure container like those bags. The last thing we want to have happen is for a ton of water (literally) to come loose and be sloshing around an already unstable boat.
 
Thank You all for your replies. My solution was to secure eight 30gal drums as close to the centerline and as far down into the engine compartment as I could. This would total 2000 lbs of ballast (250lbs of water per 30 gallon drum). I secured the drums with ratcheting straps to whatever surfaces could handle the load down there. Fortunately I had no winds on move day so there was no opportunity to test the solution in rough conditions but I suspect this solution would be fine in moderate conditions.
 
Glad to hear it worked out. Sounds like quite the ambitious project you have on your hands, good luck to you
Carpe Diem.
 
Darn...was hoping for the back story.
 
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