Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: Mat_B on March 26, 2012, 08:33:43 pm

Title: Sand for Ballast
Post by: Mat_B on March 26, 2012, 08:33:43 pm

Hi

Looking for a little bit of advice...
hoping to take my scratch built tug out for its mayden voyage but it needs alot of ballast
would sand in sanwhich bags be ok?

Thanks
Mat

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on March 26, 2012, 08:48:21 pm

Wet sand might be better


ken

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: CGAux26 on March 26, 2012, 09:03:08 pm

Lead shot in sandwich bags.  Dense, pliable, easily adjustable for weight.  I use sandwich bags until I get the weight and placement right, then move the shot to vacuum sealed bags.

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: Rottweiler on March 26, 2012, 09:07:07 pm

Hi, if you could get hold of some "sand" used for grit blasting,it is much heavier than normal sand. whatever you use, make sure the "bag" you put it in is VERY strong,especially if you have to remove it each time to launch the boat.   Another tip would be to number each bag,so you will know which one goes where.Personally,I would rather use lead.
Mick

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: Mat_B on March 26, 2012, 09:16:24 pm

think I will eventualy get lead shot... but i need quite abit and dont really want to spend to much
will building sand do

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on March 26, 2012, 09:42:20 pm

Old lead batteries might do the job.     :}


ken

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: 6705russell on March 26, 2012, 10:24:46 pm

Mat
In most of my boats I use sand in sandwich bags, I always find it easier to position in the correct places and usually it as to fit in between electronics and other items fitted in the hull so it shapes well to the contours, all depends on how much room you have in your hull...

Russ

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: gwa84the2nd on March 26, 2012, 11:47:15 pm

for lead shot go to your local dive shop and get shot waight bags a lot cheeper then buying then eny ohter place  :-))

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: Mad_Mike on March 26, 2012, 11:50:10 pm

I use fish tank gravel in bags. i bought 2 kilos for about a quid and i still got half of it left.

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: Nige52 on March 27, 2012, 09:20:35 am

Wet sand weighs approximately 30% more than dry sand  :-))

Title: Re: Sand for Ballast
Post by: F4TCT on March 27, 2012, 10:27:12 am

I suggest wet sand, I use 20 litres of the stuff for my barge.

Previously used water but it didn't ballast low enough for the available space, the sand sorted that right out!

Dan