Extra ballast

[Shaun]

From: GiovDayman (Original Message) Sent: 7/12/2005 7:34 PM
Has anyone got any experience with adding extra lead in the bilge of Top Hats. Mine has about 300kg in the area behind the water tanks just in front of the rudder shaft. I am interested to see if it is actually doing any good or if it just weighs the boat down.
Thanks
John Dayman



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Recommend Message 2 of 5 in Discussion

From: Steve Sent: 14/12/2005 1:15 AM
When I bought my boat, it had about 500KG of sand in bags in the water tank. The chap I got it from was elderly and told me he liked a stiff boat; which of course the additional weight gave him. However, I didn't particularly like how she sat in the water or the roll period, so I took it out. I got back about 5cm of freeboard, the role period was significantly increased and I reckon she pointed about 5 degrees higher, probably because sand being aft of the pivot point was causing her to gripe a bit.

My bottom line in deciding to do it, though, was that she had been designed for her waterline, not to sit those 5 cm below it. I'm not sure she's faster off the wind, but I'm glad I did it.

Steve

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From: Steve Sent: 14/12/2005 1:19 AM
Abd that is totally irritating! I definitely wrote "roll" as r -o-double l and Microsoft has decided I meant "role" Grrr!

(and I think her called her "she"; not it - after 40 years I'm not likely to have started calling boats "it"!)

Steve

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Recommend Message 4 of 5 in Discussion

From: GiovDayman Sent: 14/12/2005 2:52 PM
Thanks for that.


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Recommend Message 5 of 5 in Discussion

From: nswsailor Sent: 15/12/2005 2:22 AM
I had 75kg in the bilge just forward of the water tank. I removed it and replaced the weight with 30m of anchor chain in the anchor locker.

I also have two questions.

1. What have Mk 1 owners out there done to organize their chain locker, seeing as Mk 1's do not have the chain locker access from the deck. I do have a chain pipe but its hard against the starb'd side.

2. I have to remove? my rudder to have my propellor rebuilt. The pins fixing the bronze shoe at the bottom of the rudder, what are they made of and does anybody know of a source for these pins?

Phil
SEAKA