ballast.

mike · 17 March 2005, 13:42

we have launched the boat!!! Mr Rat and Daniel TD5 were sadly missed this weekend as the boat was set up to carry 12 pasengers and we needed the weight! No offence.

we do need some lead shot ballast in waterproofand leakproof bags so that I can go out solo safely.

can you suggest any sources other than caldwell for the lead?

thanks mike

Jono · 17 March 2005, 13:45

Local Church roof......?

I use Galv chain... and lots of it... in a "shit hitting fan" incident it also gives me the ability to anchor in about 100 meters depth..

Simon B · 17 March 2005, 14:22

? x 25 litre drums of seawater?

pettal · 17 March 2005, 16:17

How come ballast as I'd have thought an 8m rib would be plenty heavy enough to control??

Jono · 17 March 2005, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettal

How come ballast as I'd have thought an 8m rib would be plenty heavy enough to control??

...even with my "little" 7m rib, if you put a ferkin great weight on the transom and have the seating towards the arse end you will find her a touch "nose light"... about 150Kg in my case....

pettal · 17 March 2005, 16:26

Ah......point taken!

Glad I kept my console a fair way up the boat now as I do like a little play on my own! The bint reckons I'm suited to playing on my own (or was it with myself???)!

Daniel TD5 · 17 March 2005, 17:27

me and mr rat are not fat at all maybe we would have been the same weight
as four paying pasengers

but we want a free ride

mike i have two meters of lead flashing removed from my vailant it quiet a weight you can hve it next time i come down

the best ballast on you boat would be from plastic jerry cans as the don,t
damage any thing if they bump about just fill them up with water and off you go

can you get any flexie water carryers in the front seat pods
try
http://www.bristolplasticcontainers....html#jerricans

see you soon

dan

Ed the Duck · 17 March 2005, 17:52

Have used 59 litre Ortleib dry bags for holding water as ballast. They dont do any damage to the boat, and if they should come away when punching through a wave, arent likely to do break your crew. (they 'sploge' around things, rather than smashing them).

http://www.ryedale-rambler.co.uk/drybags.htm

When you are running with the sea, it's easy enough to trim the boat by empting the bags and folding them up. On days when you dont need the ballast, ideal for keeping stuff dry.

Only down side to having several black bags strapped to your deck is that customs seem to get interested.

Ed

codprawn · 17 March 2005, 18:34

What's wrong with sand??? Pretty cheap really and can be dumped in the sea without too many concerns!!!

Searider · 18 March 2005, 10:02

Surely a case where a bow tank would be well worthwhile fitting?

Having to ballast and then un-ballast the boat depending on load is a massive faff.

Jono · 18 March 2005, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

Surely a case where a bow tank would be well worthwhile fitting?

Having to ballast and then un-ballast the boat depending on load is a massive faff.

Retro fitting tanks is a pain.... what if you only discover the need after the boat is rigged?

Searider · 18 March 2005, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Retro fitting tanks is a pain.... what if you only discover the need after the boat is rigged?

Fair comment - depends on the arrangement of the boat though. It would be relatively easy to retrofit in my Scorpion - there is good access under the foredeck but impossible on the Searider.

mike · 18 March 2005, 15:35

[COLOR=RoyalBlue]

Thanks everyone, the boat has now been tested and with one person and 2 150 optis and 400 litres of fuel is understandably a bit bow light.

with 4 passengers its totally sorted but I want to have the option of ballast when I go out alone which is every day almost from may til october.

What I need is lead shot bagged and having calulated the weight required 60 kilos ie 4 small a4 sized bags are required. My problem is that I cannot find it anywhere except caldwells and they seem to have a no return policy on purchase requests since 6 phone calls and 4 emails have resulted in nothing but "we will call tomorrow responses" from the sales rep.

so if anyone can suggest another supplier I will be very grateful. Mike

Rogue Wave · 18 March 2005, 15:41

Big Fishing suppliers?

pettal · 18 March 2005, 15:43

Dive shops they use it for lead shot weight belts?

Scary Des · 18 March 2005, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by pettal

Dive shops they use it for lead shot weight belts?

at £3 per kgs

Sand is much cheaper

Des

codprawn · 18 March 2005, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Des

at £3 per kgs

Sand is much cheaper

Des

Yes and apparently there are even some places where it is scattered all over the place!!!

Searider · 18 March 2005, 16:02

Agree with that - but we're talking about an 8m boat with twin 150hp Optis (263kg each ?) - should this not have been considered by the competent designer / naval Architect / etc - refer to other thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono

Retro fitting tanks is a pain.... what if you only discover the need after the boat is rigged?

rads · 18 March 2005, 16:10

Re Lead Shot.

Some gun shops will sell it for "fill it yourseld" shotgun cartridge.
Cheaper than buying from a dive $hop.

HTH

David

Jono · 18 March 2005, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Searider

Agree with that - but we're talking about an 8m boat with twin 150hp Optis (263kg each ?) - should this not have been considered by the competent designer / naval Architect / etc - refer to other thread

True, true.... but in my case it was the *ahem*.. Feckin customer (moi), ...who added to the spec. as the boat was in-build, including hanging a largish aux. on the transom.... Customers, Eh? Don't you love 'em?