Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I am wondering about the correct level of my boat. The galley sink and the ice chest both hold a little water towards the stern. Does that mean the boat is sitting stern heavy, and if so, is that a problem of any significance? Should I move he center of gravity forward.
Steve Digby 1983 Catalina 25 Standard Rig Fin Keel
Boats in the size range of the C25 are especially susceptible to that sort of thing, but even big 18,000 lb boats are affected by an imbalance in the boat. When 3-4 passengers are sitting in the cockpit while the boat is under sail, the boat will be oriented stern-down. If someone goes forward to use the head, the boat's orientation will change. Likewise, the boat's orientation is affected by the way you stow food and equipment.
Generally, a boat sails it's best on it's lines, but for ordinary cruising purposes, most people probably won't notice a difference in the boat's performance if it's off a bit. If you're a racer, you'll pay more attention to the boat's orientation, because it will affect the boat's performance slightly. In stronger winds, the boat sails better if it heels less. In light air, it sails better if it heels a bit, and if it is oriented slightly bow-down.
The best way to correct it is to move some storage around, or to move your crew weight around.
For ordinary cruising, I wouldn't pay much attention to it. Just enjoy sailing. If you're a racer, or enjoy maximizing boat performance, then you'll probably be more attentive to it.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind" previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22 Past Commodore
To add to what Steve said, You want the boat to be slightly stern down for water to drain off the decks and so the cockpit will drain towards the scuppers. I also doubt Catalina was very concerned about getting the galley sink and Ice box dead on level
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
I wouldn’t try to ascertain if your boat is sitting level by the sink or ice chest. Take a look from the water both port/starboard and fore/aft. You boot stripe will help you with this. I changed to a four stroke engine and heavier motor mount that changed the balance and I had to compensate for it. Redistributing weight and/or eliminating weight is the easiest fix.
Distributing your crew correctly will be a big help when under sail.
IMO – This is not inconsequential, boats as small as ours will handle and sail much better if they are properly balanced.
Sailing a C-25 properly balanced vs. an imbalanced boat is night and day.
Thanks for the replies. I replaced the 6 horse 2 stroke with a heavier 9.9 horse electric start 4 stroke and suspect that is the genesis of the balance issue. I hadn't thought about the trim issue related to light and heavy wind. Looks like I'll be shifting some of the weight forward. Although I have yet to race, I do concur with what a friend maintains, "If there are two sailboats on the water, there is a race going on."
Steve Digby 1983 Catalina 25 Standard Rig Fin Keel
Don't judge anything by the icebox. On This Side Up the drainage hole was the highest point of the floor, as was the anchor locker.
Derek Crawford Chief Measurer C25-250 2008 Previous owner of "This Side UP" 1981 C-25 TR/FK #2262 Used to have an '89 C22 #9483, "Downsized" San Antonio, Texas
I noted that Passage sat lower in the stern than desired so I thought about what heavier storage items I could stow in the area under the vee berth? Maybe a spare anchor, water jugs for drinking and washing, tool boxes, etc. Then I noticed the head sink through hull fitting which stopped me dead in my tracks. What if an anchor slid down the space in heavy seas and whacked the heck out of the through hull fitting? Blub!?!?!
Well, You wouldn't have to worry about the balance anymore I remember some guys posting pictures of thru hull protection. Plastic boxes or a piece of large PVC pipe epoxyed to the hull.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.