[Rhodes22-list] Level on Board

[Bill Effros]

Art,

Thanks for providing the paragraph I deleted.  I didn't want my work to 
be taken too lightly.

Bill Effros

Arthur H. Czerwonky wrote:

>Bill,
>According to your calculations, and assuming that Mount Gay Rum weighs in at 6 lbs. per gallon, wouldn't it be wise to add a few gallons to your manifest for your passengers to enjoy, as you will be shifting their weight and balance to and fro in order to adjust the boat attitude.  Now, as the Mount Gay is consumed, you will also be adjusting the passenger attitude.  Also consider how nimble they will become after a few rounds and a few shifts... Sounds like unstable equilibrium to me.  This could be just as hazardous as a half-filled water ballast tank on the MacGregor.  Will you be posting pictures after you get back to port?
>Have fun,
>Art
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Bill Effros <bill at effros.com>
>Sent: Aug 12, 2005 8:44 AM
>To: R22 List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Level on Board
>
>For $3.69 I bought a 6 inch level at a job lot outlet, and brought it 
>out to the harsh marine environment.  The data yielded so far by the 
>instrument have been interesting.
>
>Water weighs roughly 8 lbs. per gallon.  Gas weighs roughly 6 lbs. per 
>gallon.
>
>I carry 2 3-gallon gas tanks under the port seat -- 36 pounds when full.
>
>My fresh water tank is 15 gallons (I think) but overflows when heeling 
>when full, so I try to keep it less than full.  Maximum Weight 120 
>pounds on starboard side.
>
>My waste tank is ... 10 gallons?  80 pounds maximum on port side.
>
>I generally carry 2 2 1/2-gallon portable water tanks under the cockpit 
>seats--40 lbs.
>
>I leave some water in my bilge.
>
>All of these fluids are constantly changing.
>
>So I've got roughly 250 pounds (effective maximum) down to an effective 
>minimum of roughly 100 pounds of fluids on board most of the time.
>
>Remember that moving 100 pounds of anything from the low side to the 
>high side has the same effect on the boat as a 200 pound person sitting 
>on the high side.
>
>Placing the level on the companionway entrance, both port to starboard 
>and bow to stern, I find I can easily balance the boat in both 
>directions with me standing or sitting near the companionway.  I wish my 
>house was as level as I can make the boat.
>
>The "lines" on the exterior of the boat are not level.  They make it 
>appear the boat is bow heavy when it is actually level.
>
>As soon as I and the boat start moving, everything changes.  I move my 
>level to a position in the cockpit near me to see how I am doing.
>
>I start from a roughly level boat by moving things around.  Once sailing 
>I can keep the boat roughly level by altering the balance of the sails.
>
>I find I can gain at least 1/2 knot in boat speed by keeping the boat 
>roughly level.  Upright the boat doesn't "feel" as fast as when it is 
>heeled and there is a lot of pressure--but you go faster.  Moving sails 
>in (IMF and Roller Furling) also will speed up the boat if you keep it 
>balanced.  (I know this is counter-intuitive, but try it.  You will be 
>surprised.  Reduce sail for better balance, go faster.)
>
>Since I start with a balanced boat, it is fairly easy to keep it 
>balanced all the time.  I will be taking people out with me this 
>weekend, and I will ask them to move around in the boat trying to keep 
>it balanced.   I'm sure we'll go faster, and there will be fewer 
>unexpected "wind shifts" if they help to keep the boat balanced.
>
>I'll let you know how it goes.
>
>Bill Effros
>
>
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