Ballast
Bernard Johnson (slithytove@earthlink.net)
Sat, 28 Aug 1999 21:07:27 -0700
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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Checked out my ballast installation today. Not very strong winds so not
able to give it a good workout. Did feel good though, very solid
feeling....I liked it. Tested overturning tendencies while at the
dock. First test stood on bow. Then stood on top of cabin holding mast
and deliberately rocked the boat...still very stable. Pushed it a bit
further, stood where mast stay attaches to deck, holding onto stay. No
problem. Leaned outboard while holding stay...boat leaned approx 10 deg.
Rocked it in that position...no danger. Cranked the keel up and
tentatively repeated all tests. No indication of incipient overturn at
any time. I honestly feel that I could walk up to the bow with the keel
up at any time and not have a problem, though I don't plan to that
intentionally. I am going to leave the ballast in until there is some
compelling reason to remove it. I have installed more than enough
floatation material to offset the extra weight, so the safety of the
boat has not been compromised (from a sinking point of view). The boat
did sit a little lower in the water as might be expected but it felt
better (to me) rather than worse.
Bernie Johnson.