How important is it to balance out on board weight ( batteries, gear etc) on this pad hull ?

Just leave the fat chicks on the dock!

Yeah, I guess I ask for that one didn't I..........

Never really noticed a balance problem with my 280 but then again I never really loaded her off balance or moved battery etc. The one thing I did notice was that running in dead flat water and no passenger she was more prone to chine walk. The 280 is a couple of feet shorter, not sure how that may affect balance.

Are you experiencing any balance issues?

Padraig

Last time the wife and I went out (the big sooting day), it felt to me that at a modest run between 40-50 mph it was leaning to port. Now bear in mind that "IT FELT LIKE IT", as I don't know for sure. I plan on taking a bubble level out with me this weekend and see what it shows, that way I'll know for sure, I'll post back up.

A cross wind can also cause a deep vee to heel.

Padraig

On that day it was a beautiful calm day, winds were less the 5 MPH. It may just be all in my head too, this weekend will tell the story. Thx.

That can be a case of propeller torque from a right hand prop. I bought a used Bravo 1 prop that did the same thing to my 22 Velocity. The prop's previous owner later said that it did the same thing to his 24 Baja! When I ran a Mirage or Hydro QIV (less blade area than a Bravo 1) i didn't have the leaning condition.

Thanks for sharing that, I wouldn't have even considered that as a possibility....

I have an 02 280 that does really weird stuff on flat water. I dont like calm water at all at any kind of speed with that boat. I dont take it above about 55mph on flat stuff. Choppy water its a whole different boat and seems to be much more predictable. As far as balance goes never really noticed a problem. batteries on passenger side as im 234lb so that helps balance i guess but never do anything special from one side to the other and never noticed any issues or concerns.