"I have always found the boat goes better, and performs properly, with
weight in the cabin. Never be afraid to load her with gear and equipment.
She was designed to carry masses of people and their gear. But do remember
she will be badly handicapped if this is placed too far aft. The forward
third of the lee chine must be allowed to do its job."
Stanley Smith "October Potter"
<http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/articles/October_Potter.htm>
Jerry Barrilleaux recently described how he made a lead casting to fit
neatly in the forward locker of his P14.
I recently installed 90 lb of batteries in the lowest part of the hull, one
Group 24 battery on each side of the centerboard trunk. I expect the low
position will enhance resistance to capsize, but the weight is only
slightly forward of the centerboard and may not help the fore-and-aft trim
as much as I had hoped, but it doesn't hurt either. The batteries are used
to power my 24-volt MinnKota electric motor. I may install another battery
or other ballast well forward in the cabin.
I believe any ballast used should be tied down so it can't shift in the
event of a knockdown.
Without added ballast forward, it is very important to sit as far forward
in the cockpit as possible if you want to sail efficiently.
The first time I sailed with other Potters was in a race upwind from the
Alameda launch ramp to Jack London Square in the Oakland Estuary. I had
never raced, had little sailing experience, was just leaving the ramp dock
when the race started. There were four or five other P14s in the race, all
ahead of me at the start. My tacking was sloppy, I extended my tacks too
far, and yet I passed the fleet and was first at the finish line. My
"secret," not understood at the time, was my wife and two small children
relaxing in the cabin.
Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA
>Other than setting sails correctly to make a P-15 point there is one
>other thing that is even more important. Boat trim, fore and aft.
> I use two 20# sand bags I made with inner tubes that I use in the bow
>of my P-15 to off set the weight of the motor or crew. One can only set
>just so far forward in the cockpit. When I leave the sand bags in mid
>ship so the bow is up it won't point worth a damm. The beauty of the
>moveable bags is you can slide them for and aft as needed. I wouldn't
>sail without them. It also frees the helmsman up to move about more in
>the cockpit. Heavy winds is where you will see the most benefit of
>weight forward. Give it a try, it works. :-)
>
>Only 3 weeks to launch, last year I was out on April 4th. :-)
>John Marotzke
>Ortonville, MI
>P-15 "Hooray"