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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Adding the weight to the bow

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/12/2006 : 15:26:51

I've decided to add the sand bags after reading your comments.I've purchased 200 LBS.of sand and separated it into 20LB.bags for easier
lifting.Should I place it as far forward as possible or did you find any particular placement that works best?Also I thought I read something about it could change the rigging tension.I would appreciate any feedback before I ask my dear wife to hand me the bags.I plan on putting them through the forward hatch.
Thanks,
Steve

Steve Wendkos
My Doll #692 Gone!

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2006 : 19:35:23

Steve, I just double wrapped the 50# bags with a sticky plastic and placed them in the v-berth area. I did try to get them as far forward as I could. I would just space them out evenly so you still have a little room on top of the bags if you need to put something else in there sometime.

Edited by - on

stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 00:26:22

Tom,I used 200 as noted;do I need more? I also wrapped them in Saran wrap as I saw your previous message.There in and forward.I have'nt tried it yet.
Thanks,
Steve

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2006 : 18:53:38

I would stick with the 200# and see how she handles with that, I have 300# up there and I'm thinking about removing 50#.

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 01/14/2006 : 03:08:36

Tom
We tried it today with the 200 ,and it was perfect.It was smooth through the swells and did'nt get blown around. She acted like a full keel boat in the way she followed the course.Thanks for the great tip.I might add 30 more to the port side to balance the engine.
Steve

Edited by - on

wallymackinnon
Deckhand

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Canada
18 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2006 : 19:09:18

Hello all;

I have been reading the postings regarding bow weight with a great deal of interest. My approach (so far) is to use anchor chain. The combined weight of my anchor, apprxoimately 35 feet of heavy chain and 250 feet of rode, in the anchor locker - plus another anchor and another 200 feet of rode in the foward berth locker probably does not add up to 200 lbs. but it does put a fair bit of weight in the bow and I have not noticed any major problems with control when the waves and wind get up. Plus I can make good use of the chain when I want to drop the hook and rest for a while. Of course, weighing anchor without a windlass is another story but that's why we bring guests along on our outings, right?

My weight distribution problem is more related to a "permanent" list to starboard that is caused by the Yamaha 9.9 high thrust hung on the back of my boat. After reading these postings I plan to add 100 lbs or so of sandbags in the (aft) port side of the boat, in the battery compartment behind the aft berth to compensate for the weight of the motor. However, I am now concerned that I could make the boat too heavy in the stern. I would appreciate any suggstions that any of you have about the way you dealt with this problem.

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2006 : 22:13:44

If it were me, I would not add anymore weight aft. I would try adding enough weight in the Port Setee storage area to correct your starboard list. Another option would be to relocate your battery to the port side.

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 01/17/2006 : 23:56:40

I concur with Tom;no more in the stern.I completed the ballast last Sat. with 10- 25lbs bags of sand into the forward hold.The boat handles like a dream,and we were in some pretty big weather Sunday.She tracks like a heavier boat.I went to Lowes and bought 5 -50 lb.bags then used those white sandbags that they sell.I used tape to seal them, then fed them down through the forward hatch.You can put more on the port side to get rid of the list.Hope that helps.
Steve

Edited by - on

welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2006 : 10:58:37

I also added about 240# of ballest to the bow. Placed as far forward as I could. I used 60# bags of cement wrapped in plastic. Here are my thoughts:

1) It put the boat back on her lines.
2) It puts the mast closer to the desired rake. When stern heavy mast rakes too far aft. Even with the added weight when tuning the rig the first time I had about 11" of rake (I corrected it to 4"-5"). I would guess with out the weight it would have been easily double (22"-24"). Talk about generating weather helm.
3) Boat sails and tracks better. I think this is due to #2 above.
4) Doesn't "hobby horse" in swells or boat wakes (compared with the lighter bow).
5) Boat feels more "solid" underway.

Edited by - on

welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2006 : 12:32:19

Added some pictures:

Prior to added ballest - note distance to boot stripe from water.

After adding ballest - note distance to boot stripe from water.
(Not the best picture - water is now about 1" below boot stripe.)

I think it was about a 5"-6" difference.

Edited by - on

s3tbuell
1st Mate

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47 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2006 : 17:01:36

has anyone thought about using a water tank up front? it would only have to be around 30 gallons to equal 250# and with this you could adjust for people in the cockpit and gear as well. and for the tow home

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Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2006 : 17:46:10

Not a bad idea Doyle.

I think they started putting 12 gallon tanks up there in 97. I believe a couple of people have added extra tanks forward already. It would be nice to have extra water and maybe run a pump and shower to the cockpit.

Edited by - Tom Potter on 01/18/2006 17:49:01

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2006 : 21:51:26

I added an extra 12 gallon tank (105.6lbs.)and intend to add two golf cart batteries shortly for house use. Once I get it all done I should be close to 250lbs. It will not leave much room in the v-berth area for storage except along the sides. Hopefully that should do it.

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tizer2
1st Mate

Members Avatar

Canada
33 Posts

Response Posted - 01/23/2006 : 23:18:10

I was thinking of adding 225 lbs weight in the bow, using bags of water conditioner salt (it's inexpensive, comes in 45 lb heavy-duty plastic bags with a carrying handle for ease of use). If the bag was punctured, the large salt nuggets would be easier to clean up than sand, but I'm concerned it might not be adviseable in case the salt leaches into the fibreglass if it became wet). Does anyone have any thoughts on the adviseability of this???

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stewendkos
Navigator

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USA
109 Posts

Response Posted - 01/24/2006 : 03:42:56

tizer,
I like the my 25 self-made sandbags I used vinyl tape to keep them secure.They have been through the paces and stay
put.Salt can be,as you stated,quite corrosive.

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2006 : 08:27:53

I also recall Oscar of Hull 618 (before he sold) going the route of filling pvc pipes with cement, rather than bags of material.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2006 : 09:39:08

I told my dealer about this and he has never heard anything about the problem or the remedy. He thinks if it were real Butler would send out a memo to dealers to reduce customer complaints. Since that has not happened then the customers must not be complaining. His deduction is that 250s are purchased by people new to sailing who do not know how to sail. We all know that is not the case. I hope you 250 owners are considering a petition of sorts to make Butler aware of the issue and request a design mod to address it. FYI to correct the port list on the Catalina 28 MK I Catalina began adding "bricks" of shot to the starboard side behind the settee back.

Edited by - on

kevinmac
Admiral

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USA
732 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2006 : 10:20:50

Hey, it is extra bouyancy so that when you add your golf cart batteries under the forward berth, the boat settles on to its lines!

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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.