[Rhodes22-list] Level on Board

[Bill Effros]

Slim,

True enough.  However, the point of the exercise is not to truly level 
the boat, but to find the balance where your boat sails best.  I would 
like my cockpit seats canted a little more to the stern.  That would 
help the water drain better.  Also, I want the cockpit floor slightly 
canted toward the stern for the same reason.

When my little level indicates that I am fairly level, that is a very 
good starting point for my boat.  If my "lines" matched this reading, it 
would be a better visual indication for me.  As it is, they are just 
decorative, and create an optical illusion that the boat is inexplicably 
bow heavy.  If Stan is using his own bow lines to advise people to sail 
their boats bow heavy, it may be that the boat simply sails best when it 
is as neutrally balanced as possible, but appears to be bow heavy 
because the lines are not in the right place.

As soon as a bunch of people sit in the cockpit, the balance of the boat 
changes.  But it changes less than you would think because of the very 
broad aft section. 

I have a comparatively light motor sitting way out on the stern (63 
lbs.) and little weight in the lazarette.  It is hard for me to 
unbalance the boat forward and aft, no matter what I do with people and 
liquids in the cockpit.

This may not be true if you have a heavy motor, or carry liquids in the 
lazarette.

When I sleep in the cabin the boat becomes truly bow heavy (rain falling 
into the cockpit doesn't drain.)

If anyone goes into the head while I'm sailing it throws the entire 
balance of the boat way off.

Bill Effros




Slim wrote:

>Bill,
>
>This seems like a good idea to me and worth the hassle to get the boat
>balanced.  Putting the level on the companionway port to starboard sounds
>good, but bow to stern assumes the companionway is the "level" to target.
>Why not the cockpit floor?  Why not the cabin top?  Placing a 4 foot level
>across an 8 foot plank--you have an 8 foot level, and very accurate.  But
>putting a 6" level across a 2" board--you have a 2" level which is hardly
>accurate at all.  I would not assume the boot stripe is off by comparing it
>to a 2" level, especially when the "levelness" of those two inches are
>suspect.  That said, Stan, Roger and others have always maintained the boat
>performs better up wind if it's a little bow heavy.
>
>Slim
>
>On 8/12/05 7:44 AM, "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>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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>>    
>>
>
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>
>  
>