I single hand 95% of the time and put in a Catalina 22 tiller. With it I can touch the tiller when well forward. I did put on a forespar tiller extension as well so that i could sit on the coaming. With the longer tiller extension it works pretty well but I rarely use it. This seems to balance the boat well as I can comfortably lean on the cabin wall. When cruisng with a load or sailing with company I use a 5 gallon jug of water as movable ballast. In light air it will be well forward at the bows of the cabin. When the waves get up a bit this depresses the bow too much and you are plowing water so I move it back to the cabin floor where the porta potty goes or just aft of the porta potty. Thanks Doug Kelch "Seas the Day" M15G #310 I do have a heavy battery located in the forward part of the starboard cabin locker as well. I don't think I would put the cinder block in as they should be tied down and then are not moveable. On Sat, Sep 20, 2014 at 10:46 AM, George R. Iemmolo <griemmolo2@gmail.com> wrote:
Wrinkle Boat Mates
I normally sail single-handed but from time to time have someone along. I have found that even alone and sitting as far forward as I can weight distribution seems to tend to be too far aft.
This is leading me to consider adding weight forward. I was thinking a cinder block (40 lbs) in the forward compartment under the V berth. Would I have to secure the weight? In addition I would like to extend the Tiller so that I can sit comfortable as far forward as possible against the cabin wall. I have a Tiller extender but it is articulated at the attachment joint and I would like to have an extension that is a removable solid extension of the tiller. Has any one constructed one or know of anything along that line.
All comments welcomed.
George
Merry Helen II
96 M15 #602