Good advice Tom. G M Hyde Sent from my iPad
On Sep 13, 2015, at 8:14 PM, Tom Smith <openboatt@gmail.com> wrote:
Good grief. Glass sand bags in place? These are day sailors, not around the world racers.
Weigh the stuff you take aboard. For example, I have a tool/parts bag that weighs in at maybe 15 pounds. An anchor and chain and rode in a customized milk crate that comes in at another 15, and a stove and kitchen stuff and some cheap red wine for another 10. I'm guessing on a day sail I have 60 pounds of gear total. Stow as much as possible (in soft storage containers--not hard) midships under the v berth (put some indoor/outdoor carpet down there to keep stuff from sliding around), or heck on the cabin floor. Use the lightest ob you can get away with. Go. Sit forward on the opposite side as the ob.
An M17 isn't that hard to balance--and it certainly doesn't have to be perfect. t
On Sun, Sep 13, 2015 at 7:43 PM, Dave Scobie <scoobscobie@gmail.com> wrote:
As Tyler states any ballast type weight absolutely must be secured into the boat. Best way to do this would be to fiberglass the bags and place.
If you choose to try to balance the boat by using weight (but I would like to know what your helm or other boat handling condition is) don't put it all the way at the bow (as I wrote before). Any ballasting weight needs to be over the boats weight center. My recommendation would be under the v-berth just forward, preferably just aft, of the mast compression post.
:: Dave Scobie
On Sep 13, 2015 8:36 PM, "Tyler Backman" <casioqv@usermail.com> wrote:
I'd experiment with the sand bags and see how you like it, but it would be safer to permanently fix any added ballast, so that it cannot break free or shift in rough conditions. You especially don't want them to move during a knockdown and prevent the boat from righting, or cause injury or damage as they move around.
Tyler
On Sep 13, 2015, at 7:16 PM, Ron McNeil via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
I have a newer M17 with a Honda 5Hp on a motor mount. The boat is off balance especially when sailing alone. In order to level the boat I'm planning to add about 50lbs of sandbags near the bow. I'm hoping that the improved water line will improve the speed and help break through small waves. I'm also going to add some weight closer to midship on the starboard side since my motor and battery are both on the port side. Does anyone see issues with this?
Thanks, Ron McNeil M17/#675/jackpot