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[GaryM]

Hi
After reading a few excellent posts on where to put it.

The instructions for my Marie Felling states the finished weight should be between 40lbs - 45lbs.
My theory would be to weigh the hull, fittings, batteries - basically 'everything', then adding extra weight as low down as possible if needed (distributed evenly) prior to fitting the deck.
Would this be the way you guys do it?

regards
Gary

[boatmadman]

Thats the weigh ( ) Gary.

perhaps its wise to not add all the weight needed before fitting the deck, so you can trim the boat when its hits the water.

Ian

[GaryM]

Thanks Ian :)
I can get some lead shot now to put under the board the motors mounted on, I will leave putting it all in, but at least at this stage I can get it as low down as possible.

regards
Gary :)

[RipSlider]

Cheapest ballast ( unless ou know a man who knows a man who either has the flashing from a church roof or knows where to get a load of "unloved" lead shot ) is to ask nicely at a tyre fitters.

I get a couple of carrier bags a month of spare weights from a few local fitters. Drop them in an old saucepan, melt, ladle the filth off the top ( including the manky bits of rubber ) and you can mould to any shape you like.

Cheap mould: Mix sand ( builder sand ) with engine oil and put it in a biscut tin. Press the shape you want moulding into the sand and pour in the molten lead.

Standard instrustions about not breathing in fumes, wearing gloves etc apply.

Only takes 15 minutes end to end, and avoids having to mix vast amounts of shot with expoxy and making a mess.

Steve

[Shipmate60]

Steve,
There was another thread about melting lead which resulted in quite severe burms.
If you have to do this be extremely careful and wear heat resistant protective clothing.

Bob

[Colin Bishop]

I didn't think that lead was used anymore for tyre balance weights.

[GaryM]

Hi - gotta agree with Colin.  (although I only tried 1 tyre place)

I tried Tyre Sales, the guy said I could have some weights but they weren't lead - some sort of alloy.
I tried a Tackle shop but the cost was too much.
I thought about different types of metal - iron, brass, copper etc, in small sizes IE. nuts, screws etc.
I know ideally it should be lead.
Any thoughts on this? :-\  or any sites that sell lead shot?  I will try Quick Fit and others.  (failing this - anyone got ant ladders for sale )

regards
Gary

[DickyD]

Try finding a builders merchants who still sells part rolls of lead.
Plumbers or roofers have scrap lead.
Scrap merchants have scrap lead. 

[Shipmate60]

I still maintain that the easiest way to obtain lead ballast is in Gell Cells.
Large hulls like Marie Felling can be ballasted well with batteries as is my Imara.
Just a few ounces of additional ballast to trim her.

Bob

[Shipmate60]

Dicky, have you seen the price of scrap lead.
Even flashing has rocketed, just glad I still have some left.

Bob

[DickyD]

Dicky, have you seen the price of scrap lead.
Even flashing has rocketed, just glad I still have some left.

Bob

Haven't a clue about the price Bob, what I do have is a brother in law who is a plumber and another one who is a roofer.

[GaryM]

Thanks Richard and Bob.
Never considered a plumbers or Roofers - I'll try tomorrow.
Gel cells?  Where do you get them?

regards
Gary

[GaryM]

Just a thought.
Would concrete be a suitable ballast?
It could be moulded into most areas, it's heavy, solid and cheap.  Don't know about the heat generated or reaction with the hull.
Just wondering if anyone else had tried this.

Gary

[Colin Bishop]

Concrete is not as "heavy" as you might expect, certainly compared with lead, iron or mild steel bar but it can be useful in a larger model in which case it's best to cast blocks outside the model before fitting them.

[GaryM]

Thanks Colin
If I can't find any lead, I will probably use 'assorted metals' and resin them in place.

Gary :)

[Weeds]

I know ideally it should be lead. No NO NO ! Lead is toxic, you will poison the pond if your boat sinks.


[/quote]

[tigertiger]

I believe a good source of lead shot is a gun shop. They sell it to people who fill thier own cartriges.

I know a good cheap source of iron shot. The soft ankle and wrist weights you get for gym work, found in sports stores, are filled with iron shot. They can be very cheap as well.

[GaryM]

Thanks Tigertiger, and you have a good point Weeds.

If I do use the lead shot - it will be sealed into a compartment and if the boat sank it would only be down for a matter of minuets - I would be straight in after it! 
After so much work done I'd even go through shark infested waters
I'll try the sports shop first though. :)


regards
Gary

[DickyD]

I know ideally it should be lead. No NO NO ! Lead is toxic, you will poison the pond if your boat sinks.

Good God man , pull yourself together, how much lead do you think he wants ??

[MCAT]

You can also try the dive shops. they sell shot for the weight belts . you have to part with money but not to much.

Mick

[Model_Slipway]

http://www.leadshotballast.co.uk

[Stavros]

So Weeds what you are saying therfore is that we should not use lead acid batts or any form of batts not paint our boats just in case they sink and poloute the lake I have never heard such drivel in my life,as Dicky D said  pull yourself together.There is more chance of a fuel spillage form a speed boat polouting a lake than the quantities we use


Stavros

[John W E]

 Did we not use lead pipes to supply fresh drinking water to homes in the old days  ::)

aye
john e

bluebird

[Stavros]

Hear hear the world has gone mad you cant do this you cant do that,cant say this cant say that,you have got to be eco friendly well popycock to the lot of them I say just get on with life and .......s to teh funny people yes the so called enviromentalists who say do as I say and not as you do.Rant over well almost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Stavros

[GaryM]

Thanks Guys
Quite a few options available.

I've just fitted the motor onto a piece of ply board and noticed the gap underneath (between the hull and ply wood) and thought the space underneath could be filled with ballest, it's as low as I'm gonna get and a 'wasted space' if not used.

Thanks All
Gary