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Thu, March 13 2025, 15:26 [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ]

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Date Posted: - Friday - 09/30/11 - 7:31pm
Author: Gene Trentham
Subject: Adding ballast

My M-31 sits bow heavy. I'm currently replacing the fuel tank and the new one will be lighter than the last, adding to the lighter stern. Has anyone added ballast to their Mariner? The keel is hollow from just ahead of the head shower tank to the stern. With the cockpit floor removed and the fuel tank out it seems to be a perfect time to be able to add some weight to the stern. Comments please..

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Replies:

[> Chain Rode? -- Bruce, - Monday - 10/ 3/11 - 12:54pm

How much chain rode do you have in the bow? I had 300 ft and had to add several lead ingots in the aft bilge to balance it out.


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[> [> Build a biger fuel tank -- Ardian M 31 Taygeta, - Tuesday - 10/ 4/11 - 9:13am

1 ) Keep the second anchor aft if you have one and heavy stuff in the port lasarete for balance because the water tank and batteries are in the starboard side. At list this is what I do. Keep the boat in balance always.
1 1/2 ) When you are on the boat sailing or motoring you are in the cockpit so that is when weight shift aft so look at the boat when you have a couple of people siting in the cockpit.
2) if you'll use the boat to go cruising you will motor a lot, so instead of having jerry cans on the deck would be better to have a bigger fuel tank. Wish I had thought of it when I was working in mine a few years ago.
3) If you use the boat for a week-end there is no need for a lot of chain in the anchor so get rid of some weight of the bow. Our boats are heavy enough extra ballast would be extra dead weight to push, make it slower and need more fuel or wind.
This is what I think.

Fair winds.


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[> Adding Ballast -- Terry Kelly, - Thursday - 10/ 6/11 - 9:04am

We have the same problem with Bridget (formerly Carpe Diem).

I bought 200# of lead which i plan to put port aft to counteract the sbrd water tank and batteries plus the 35# anchor hanging off the bow pulpit.

In our case, I think replacing the old perk with a yanmar is one of the contributing factors to her being out of trim, and I base the amount of weight on the fact that my 6'5", 240# son seems to do the trick when he stands port/aft.

Now, we'll have to wait till spring to see if it works!


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[> [> Adding Ballast -- Gene Trentham, - Saturday - 10/ 8/11 - 8:13am

Thanks for the feedback. I don't use chain rode other than heavy for the first 20'. Don't anchor much. I had the tank built to fit the hole I have to put it in which is the size of the cockpit sole. I toyed with the idea of cement and many thought such a permanent solution could be wrong. How much would be a guess. Less permanent would be the most inteligent and could add or subtract them when the boat is back in the water.


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[> [> [> Adding ballast -- Terry, - Tuesday - 10/18/11 - 9:28am

If there are boat builders anywhere in your area, you might be able to find lead ingots. We found 50#'ers at a boat builder in Rockport, ME for $1.15 a pound which I thought was quite reasonable.


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