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My OMC inflatable won't stay on plane

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I've just purchased a used OMC 305 Express inflatable. It's just slightly over 10' in length, has 5 floor boards and an inflatable keel. Its max engine power rating is 10hp. I've taken it out once with my 1985 Merc 9.9 hp. I'm 160 lbs, and my wife is 100 lbs.
We were able to get up on plane a few times but then after a few seconds, the bow started bouncing enough to be scary and I had to throttle back.
Could this be remedied with the boat inflation? I don't trust the guage I got with the purchase, and acc to the guage I was underinflated. Could it be a question of weight distribution? I had almost 7 imperial gallons at the stern and myself.

Follow Ups:

Re: OMC inflatable - puma 17:40:25 08/30/03 (0)
i'm searching for the floor boards for the same model omc 305 express. do you have any idea where i can find them?
Re: My OMC inflatable won't stay on plane - Tailgunner 10:47:13 08/01/03 (0)
Put your 100lb wife in the bow or at least closer to the bow to even the load. Or, you could let her drive and you sit in the middle. the rear with motor weighs, you 160, mtr 90, gas 42, total rear load is nearly 300 lb with only 100 in the nose, this will cause the bow to rise. Just an observation, TG
Re: My OMC inflatable won't stay on plane - machnumber2 00:32:40 07/31/03 (0)
Do you have to much weight in the back of the boat? your fuel tanks maybe should be towards the front and you and your wife towards the middle

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