23 Sceptre center of gravity vs walk around

[Beaver]

Seems like I read that the Sceptre’s center of gravity is a little forward (aka slightly nose heavy). Anyone know how the walk around compares?

[CaptLloyd]

I have zero experience with 23 Sceptre's or 23cc, so I can't compare. But here's what I found on my 1988 23' Walk Around.

Mine was set up from the factory to be run with a single outboard. In that era, the 200hp 2 stroke outboard weight was around 400 lbs. When I bought my boat in 2008, it was powered by a 200hp Mercury 2 stroke on the transom. My plan always was to close the transom, add a bracket, and a 4 stroke outboard. As I was doing the refurb in 2010, I found 200 lbs of resin encapsulated pig iron glass in the bilge near the transom. My best guess is that the boats set up for twins did not have this "ballast". I guess it was "trial and error" by the Tracker guys.

I removed the "ballast", added a bracket, and 600+lbs 4 stroke outboard. The boat sits perfectly on the water, and rides great. Even when I have the in deck live well full, there are no adverse affects to the ride.

I hope this helps.

Lloyd

[Beaver]

200 lbs of resin? Holy cow... seems like there would be a cheaper way to ballast a boat.

Thanks for the info. It sounds like you have a sweet boat.

[Capt Terry]

Originally Posted by Beaver

Seems like I read that the Sceptre’s center of gravity is a little forward (aka slightly nose heavy). Anyone know how the walk around compares?

Our former performance moderator, Bushwhacker, remarked that as a former USAF pilot, Moesly, would have known about effects on aircraft handling as fuel is consumed and therefore probably located the center of the fuel tank at the cg. Am guessing the walkarounds were in the Potter or postPotter era and that concept may not have prevailed. But might give you a clue to compare them. You may be interested in my post of 9-24-16 on estimating CG shift with heavy engines and the subsequent replies which include remarks that the Seafari and Sceptres with some weight forward are less adversely affected by heavy engines on brackets than the CCs.