Rib Ballast

[Sonar]

How would one introduce ballast to a rib.?
The only way I can think off is to drill a small hole 3/4" and pour in a mixture of lead shot mixed with resin.

However would there be any way of knowing if the mixture has adhered to the hull.

Unlike a hard boat.
Mixing shot blasting sand and resin then putting the floor back down.


Is the only other option lifting the floor and laying the ballast then a few lams over the top to hold it all in place.


Hopefully I won't need any but I just have to ask the question.

[GordyP]

Assuming that your talking about putting ballast in the bow - a box of some description that holds your anchor with a bit of chain secured into the bow is a good place to start.

[BruceB]

I call my ballast the missus, it is even easily moveable

[Jizm]

Surely you need to be certain of the amount and location before doing someting so tricky to undo. Does your boat have problem that are not easily remedied some other way?

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by Jizm

Surely you need to be certain of the amount and location before doing something so tricky to undo. Does your boat have problem that are not easily remedied some other way?

I don't yet know as I am still on building it.
Just asking the question
I feel sure I have everything right so far.

It will be awhile before it hits the water.
I am keeping as much as low as I can

Fuel tank may be as much as 180ltrs that's under the floor along with when completed
batteries sett as low as i can..
It's a wait and see thing...

[m chappelow]

Fit a water ballast tank in the bow like the atlantic 75s ,

[m chappelow]

Fit a water ballast tank in the bow like the atlantic 75s though youll need a tank and a pump ,

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Fit a water ballast tank in the bow like the atlantic 75s ,

That's a good idea..

I have left a space for under the deck just rear of the hard nose for storage with a floor hatch I could use the void
for that using a portable fuel tank bag

[Jizm]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Fit a water ballast tank in the bow like the atlantic 75s though youll need a tank and a pump ,

Have a word with cooke on here he may be of some help with ballast systems.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Sonar

I have left a space for under the deck just rear of the hard nose for storage with a floor hatch I could use the void

Thats perfect .. put your anchors and chain in there if youve got room and make sure its well protected by some rubber conveyor matting though to protect the hull from the metal work, you can get some lead shot or similar as extra weight if you need it but I would doubt that .. unless you do go for the 150

If you still got some design choices left, get the fuel tank as far forward as you can too , you will never regret that.

The last hull I used had this configuration, it allowed me to set the console further after, which gave a much smoother ride for the driver than any other 5.7 Ive used .. the boat in question had a fairly shallow dead rise by comparison to some Ive had, but handled like a peach because of the balance

[chewy]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Fit a water ballast tank in the bow like the atlantic 75s though youll need a tank and a pump ,

Won't need a pump, the water is forced into a scoop on the stern to fill the tank. Its simple but works well.

[butty]

was talking about this over the weekend with someone else.....

why do people want to mix resin and lead shot!!

when we use it as ballast in racing yachts we try and put the lead shot in a moulding and sikaflex / bond it into the hull, then if it has to come out, the job is alot easier than removing a block that is bonded to the hull!!!

can you not just pour the lead shot into the bow / anchor locker and then laminate over the top...

your anchor locker now has a lovely flat floor, and if ever needed to remove the shot, just cut out the laminte, put a new hoover bag in the vacuum cleaner and away you go..... all shot removed.....

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by butty

was talking about this over the weekend with someone else.....

why do people want to mix resin and lead shot!!

when we use it as ballast in racing yachts we try and put the lead shot in a moulding and sikaflex / bond it into the hull, then if it has to come out, the job is alot easier than removing a block that is bonded to the hull!!!

can you not just pour the lead shot into the bow / anchor locker and then laminate over the top...

your anchor locker now has a lovely flat floor, and if ever needed to remove the shot, just cut out the laminte, put a new hoover bag in the vacuum cleaner and away you go..... all shot removed.....

Even better idea many thanks

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Jizm

Have a word with cooke on here he may be of some help with ballast systems.

I knew it was only a question of time before I got dragged in ............

You'll need a largeish pipe running down the keel to the transom where you will need a "pick up and dump" fitting that is operated by a control cable and a hand throttle - usually forward to pick up, neutral to hold and back to dump - the tank will need a minimum of double sized vents to allow air and water to escape, this can either be a bow or central ballast arrangement.

Having said all of that I wouldn't bother - unless you're racing or the design is totally unbalanced in which case extra weight probable won't help!

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by Cookee

I knew it was only a question of time before I got dragged in ............

You'll need a largeish pipe running down the keel to the transom where you will need a "pick up and dump" fitting that is operated by a control cable and a hand throttle - usually forward to pick up, neutral to hold and back to dump - the tank will need a minimum of double sized vents to allow air and water to escape, this can either be a bow or central ballast arrangement.

Having said all of that I wouldn't bother - unless you're racing or the design is totally unbalanced in which case extra weight probable won't help!

I dont think I should be needing ballast I will just wait and see.