Unbalanced sailboat
 

Hi,

As a result of the battery bank, water tanks, etc... being mounted on
the port side, my boat has a little lean to the left when sitting. The
location I had in mind for another two batteries is also on the port
side, which when installed will make the list worse. This seems like a
bad idea to me, but I'm not sure how bad.

How serious a deal is an unbalanced boat like this?

How far should I be willing to go to get it balanced?

Any suggestions on doing that?

Thanks,

Mike.
Beaufort, NC

Mike,

I had the same problem after a new engine install. I had a slight list to
port when sitting at anchor. I ended up making lead ingots by melting old
lead flashing and pipes and pouring it into an old aluminum ice cube tray.
The shape was just right to put into the bilge on the staboard side under
the galley cabinets. I made about ten ingots and painted them with four
coats of paint so I could handle them and not get lead on me.

The only caution is to do the melting outside so you do not fill your house
with lead fumes.

I would be happy to give you any additional info.

Ansley Sawyer
SV Pacem
Camper Nicholson 39 ketch

beaufortnc wrote:
Hi,

As a result of the battery bank, water tanks, etc... being mounted on
the port side, my boat has a little lean to the left when sitting. The
location I had in mind for another two batteries is also on the port
side, which when installed will make the list worse. This seems like a
bad idea to me, but I'm not sure how bad.

How serious a deal is an unbalanced boat like this?


Not very. It might make a tiny difference in the way the boat sails but
you'll never notice.

Actually, I should amend that statement... it *will* make a difference
in the way the boat sails but the difference will be ininitesimal until
you get up into the range of ~10 degrees at-rest heel. The biggest
effect will be to make the boat feel funny when moving around on board
while moored.


How far should I be willing to go to get it balanced?


I dunno, how much does it bother you? If you're planning on installing
more batteries, how difficult would it be to put them on the starboard side?

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

"Ansley W. Sawyer" wrote:

Mike,

Our boat lists too because the batteries and the frig/freezer is on
the same side. We've got water tanks on both sides equally, and Bob
deals with the list by using the heavier side water tank first.

He put additional batteries on the other side and also stores his
tools over there, but this was not enough to balance out the
refrigerator boxes especially when loaded with food.

I had the same problem after a new engine install. I had a slight list to
port when sitting at anchor. I ended up making lead ingots by melting old
lead flashing and pipes and pouring it into an old aluminum ice cube tray.
The shape was just right to put into the bilge on the staboard side under
the galley cabinets. I made about ten ingots and painted them with four
coats of paint so I could handle them and not get lead on me.

The only caution is to do the melting outside so you do not fill your house
with lead fumes.

I used to do sampling for lead levels in various industrial settings.
I have to say that this is a spectacularly bad idea.


RosalieAnn Figge Beasley, C.I.H.
retired - formerly MOSHA Consultation

"beaufortnc" wrote in message ups.com...
Hi,

As a result of the battery bank, water tanks, etc... being mounted on
the port side, my boat has a little lean to the left when sitting. The
location I had in mind for another two batteries is also on the port
side, which when installed will make the list worse. This seems like a
bad idea to me, but I'm not sure how bad.

How serious a deal is an unbalanced boat like this?

How far should I be willing to go to get it balanced?

Any suggestions on doing that?

Thanks,

Mike.
Beaufort, NC


You've got to be seriously stupid if you can't figure out how to trim
you boat so she's on her lines.

CN

That was sure helpful.

"beaufortnc" wrote in message ups.com...
Hi,

As a result of the battery bank, water tanks, etc... being mounted on
the port side, my boat has a little lean to the left when sitting. The
location I had in mind for another two batteries is also on the port
side, which when installed will make the list worse. This seems like a
bad idea to me, but I'm not sure how bad.

How serious a deal is an unbalanced boat like this?

How far should I be willing to go to get it balanced?

Any suggestions on doing that?

Thanks,

Mike.
Beaufort, NC


When I see a sailboat at anchor and not on her lines I say to
myself, "Now there's somebody who is no sailor and definitely
has no pride in his vessel." Just another wannabe . . .

CN

"just me" wrote in message ...
That was sure helpful.


It wasn't meant to be helpful. It was meant to point out how stupid
some people are that they can't figure out how to move some things
around to get their boat on its lines.

What kind of an idiot writes to a newsgroup about something that
is so simple to do? I'll answer that. A moron who will be too stupid
to follow whatever advice he might get from well-meaning people
who will mollycoddle the fool. This same fool will end up being
a hazard to navigation because he/she is so ****ing stupid...

CN

CN

Dog gone Captain Neal... take a Vicodin and chill out! I am a
newbie on this particular forum... but some of your postings that
I have observed... sure seem indictative of a hard ass attitude to
those looking for help.

Then again... I suspect you can be very helpfull to those of us
lessor informed than you... when you so deem it?

Best regards

Bill

(About to acquire a used Catalina 34... and will be coming up with
novice type questions... so stand by!) :-)

wrote in message
oups.com...
Dog gone Captain Neal... take a Vicodin and chill out! I am a
newbie on this particular forum... but some of your postings that
I have observed... sure seem indictative of a hard ass attitude to
those looking for help.

Then again... I suspect you can be very helpfull to those of us
lessor informed than you... when you so deem it?

Best regards

Bill

(About to acquire a used Catalina 34... and will be coming up with
novice type questions... so stand by!) :-)


Not sure what Nelly wrote, but just ignore him. He's quite the fool and just
a troll.

Watch how he responds to this post, or better yet, killfile him now.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

I'm assuming you've taken at least the basic Power & Sail Squadron
courses.

No Don... at this point in time I haven't. I do have a friend/mentor
with a "captain's" rating that will show me the ropes so to speak.
However... I do intend to get into texts and/or classes such as what
you mentioned.

As a kid I did a lot of solo clear water sailing and ever since have
loved the sea and ships. Now in the Autumn of my life (I am 65) I now
have the time and wherewithal to become an owner/operator of a small
sloop (Cat 34) which I will use for some coastal blue water cruising
out of Ventura, California.

Consequently I have started monitoring this forum as well as others
for input. And yeh... I've got a lot to learn. But at this stage
of my life I think I will enjoy the experience.

Best regards

Bill

"The ocean is an immense, powerful and strong entity that doesn't play
favorites. Enjoy it's beauty but be wary of it's turmoil."

Neal,

Why not show that picture from your web, of your boat sitting at anchor;
by the stern to show what you mean