On Fri, 4 Feb 2011 11:30:15 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

"Jessica B" wrote in message
.. .
snip


Ah.. thanks for the technical name.. I guess it would add a bunch of
weight. The engine on the Cat was basically underneath the stairway.
Dave (owner) said it was pretty much near the keel, but back a little
bit. I didn't notice any leaving back, but I wasn't really looking.

Putting a heavy diesel low in the center of the boat is the best situation
with regards to the weight. It acts like ballast and stabilizes the boat.
Having too much weight on the ends of the boat causes it to pitch
excessively in certain condtions of wind and sea.

But you have a small gas outboard right, so it wouldn't be more than
maybe half a normal person's weight...thus no big deal?

Did you do the welding? I've always wanted to take a welding class.
Seems like it would be fun to be able to attach two pieces of metal
whenever you want. I was also interested in the art aspect. I'm
betting I could get one of the commercial welders to give me a lesson,
but I'm always hesitant about work/fun mixes.

There was no welding required. Just bending and fitting the hardware. I can
weld steel but stainless steel is more of a challenge as one needs to use
some inert gas to make good welds. (TIG welding) Welding is a good skill to
learn. Did you ever see that movie, "Flashdance?" Now, there was one hot
welder. LOL!

Sure... Jennifer Beals (sp?) was hot in that, but she wasn't the
dancer. I should definitely take a class. I think I can get it paid
for through work, so why the heck not. There must be a CC around here
that offers it. I bet I'll be the only woman in the class... great
ratio!!

snip
Why would you carry fuel on deck? Wouldn't it go in a tank that is
built into the boat (assuming you have an engine like that - like the
Cat). Even the little can that goes to an outboard would need to be
held somehow in case you lean over. You don't want it to go thrashing
around...

They carry extra fuel so they can increase their range and save money in
foreign ports where fuel might be much more expensive. They probably really
don't need the extra fuel but, since they've seen it done that way, they
think it's right and proper. There are so many people who are totally
unoriginal these days. They only feel comfortable following the crowd.
Monkey-see, monkey-do. These are the same type of people who will enter a
large anchorage where there is tons of space but they feel the need to
anchor right on top of me. I guess they think if another boat is anchored
there then THAT must be the best place to be. So clueless!

Seems to me that the last thing you want to do is having fuel on the
deck. It could even be stolen if you leave the boat. I could see maybe
having some extra if you're crossing an ocean, but if you just stock
up on food and water, it seems like you could just wait it out if you
can't sail, right? All the big yachts must cost a bunch of money, so
they can't be hard up for money for fuel.

Wilbur Hubbard