Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Beginners start here...! => Topic started by: richardistone on September 28, 2011, 10:52:17 am

Title: Adding Ballast
Post by: richardistone on September 28, 2011, 10:52:17 am

Hello

My recently purchased fishing boat sits very bow high in the test tank, though the stern looks OK. Is there a reccomended position to place ballast to correct this? Should it be as far forward as possible or closer to the centre of mass?

I've read in a number of places that water in a sealed container might be a suitable ballast rather than lead, any thoughts on this too please?
 
Thanks in advance

Richard Stone

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on September 28, 2011, 10:58:36 am

I would recommend lead as it's the densest for size. The farther forward you can place it, the less you will need. By thinking of the centre of mass you will be lowering the whole boat and as the stern is correct, this might be altered.

Hope this helps

ken

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: richardistone on October 01, 2011, 05:31:11 pm

Thanks Ken

I've added a few strips of lead, initialy two largish strips as far forward as I could (motor mount and foremast in the way) securing these with a good squeeze of silicon sealant. Then I took the boat to the domestic test tank and noticed a slight list to starboard so a few smaller bits of lead were stuck to the port side, finally another bit at the stern to correct the water line there.

Sailing test this afternoon was most satisfying  :-))

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on October 01, 2011, 08:06:04 pm

                                    :-))

Satisfying when she floats to the line. Well done


ken

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: irishcarguy on October 02, 2011, 05:50:44 am

Tug-kenny, You sure do your bit to encourage everyone, me included, thanks, Mick B.

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: Norseman on December 08, 2011, 07:40:01 pm

Hi Mick

I was having a coffee with a nice guy yesterday and looking at his bench/build. He was talking about needing lead for ballast. His power pack was going to be a 6v battery - I mentioned he could have two 6v batteries (in series or paralel, which is it?) that way he could have more working ballast than dead and hence longer run times. Depends on how much space is available I suppose. What do you think?

Dave

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: john s 2 on December 08, 2011, 07:52:47 pm

For 6v in parallel. In series 12v. Batteries always make good ballest and as you say can be wired for longer running time. John.

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: michael 1979 on December 11, 2011, 04:19:16 pm

I would rather an extra battery in parallel for the needed ballast and get the benefit of longer run time too. Also depending on the way your batteries are set up they can be taken out separately to help in launching and retrieval at pond side.

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: Norseman on December 11, 2011, 05:26:40 pm

Hi - a honey of a nickname like Apismelifera is just crying out for an avatar.

Dave

Title: Re: Adding Ballast
Post by: michael 1979 on December 11, 2011, 10:50:12 pm

Later. Have it here somewhere, just tuning it up a bit.