Dave Thanks for the feedback on securing ballast. I thought that would be the response as regarding securing it. I just wanted to make sure. I believe I can band anything I use on the wall of the v berth compartment that borders the cabin another winter project. What with the Tiller extension, Hatch board upgrade for holding items, Cockpit/cabin table & securing trim ballast it will be a busy winter George "There is nothing absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats" -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Dave Scobie Sent: Monday, September 22, 2014 11:04 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Weight Distribution/Tiller Extension if you are sitting within a foot of the cabin/cockpit bulkhead you are doing well. i'm not a lightweight guy, 220lbs, and on my M15 she sat on her lines well with me sitting in this location. this is before in installed the electrical system (see below). a longer tiller can assist, with the already stated drawback of being a 'cockpit sweeper', if you don't like the angle of a tiller extension. i had a custom 'slightly longer' tiller made by John Owens, of JO Woodworks, for the Glesser's M15. this tiller is also made to be a bit 'higher' at the forward end. if you are interested in this tiller contact John - http://www.jowoodworks.com/ be sure to mention the Glesser's so John knows the tiller you are asking about. if you are considering adding weight be sure, no matter the weight, the ballast CANNOT MOVE. if it moves it will cause all sorts of problems. if you healing and it moves it will send you further over. if you get in a knockdown situation it will make things much worse. on my M15 my 'counterweight' was a Group 24 battery, 'wet cell' weighting about 45lbs, well secured forward under the v-berth between the flotation foam and the steel punchings 'hump' (the later if you have a steel ballasted M15, the lead boats do not have the hump). if you want a few more pounds use a AGM or Gel type as they weight about 5-10 lbs more. if you don't want to install an electrical system consider fiber glassing in 50# bag of lead shot. you don't need more than this. in summary you want to add 'trim ballast' here, not 'righting ballast'. the M15 is correctly ballasted for righting moment when sailing, or if the boat is knocked down. again, you don't want ballast to move, EVER. -- :: Dave Scobie :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com On Sat, Sep 20, 2014 at 11:46 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