Balancing the BOAT???????
#21
Registered
Cat,
We have a ballast tank in our boat but don't use it often. The thought was a ballast tank in the bow would allow us to run faster overall in the bumps while using less tab. I expect there is a balance of both ballast and tabs but we never figured it out. How do you measure the results? It seems we could exceed the speed we were comfortable with using either system.
I would like to hear move from others that use a ballast tank. Is a ballast tank mostly a band aid for a poorly balanced boat?
Steve, do you race with a ballast tank?
We have a ballast tank in our boat but don't use it often. The thought was a ballast tank in the bow would allow us to run faster overall in the bumps while using less tab. I expect there is a balance of both ballast and tabs but we never figured it out. How do you measure the results? It seems we could exceed the speed we were comfortable with using either system.
I would like to hear move from others that use a ballast tank. Is a ballast tank mostly a band aid for a poorly balanced boat?
Steve, do you race with a ballast tank?
The other nice effect I feel is you can run your CG a little aft to get the acceleration and top speed but if you need to settle things down a little water in the nose really helps.
Steve
#22
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bradenton Florida
Posts: 5,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think a balast tank is a bandaid ,,,,, because water conditions change so u can change how the boat runs. AND yes i have a 35 gallon water ballast tank that i can fill or empty during the race.It helps alot.
Calm water leave it empty and as soon it gets ruf lets say 4+ footers you fill it untill it runs and fly's perfect ,,,mine fills with in 36 sec. and dry's out in 42 sec with a pump for out and electric valve and water pickup for fill.
Also it add weight even empty about 60 pounds with mounting brackets and that got my CG right on the money in calm water.
Also mine has built in baffels so where ,,if its not full all the way the water does not slap around in there.
Cool thing + i built it myself .
Calm water leave it empty and as soon it gets ruf lets say 4+ footers you fill it untill it runs and fly's perfect ,,,mine fills with in 36 sec. and dry's out in 42 sec with a pump for out and electric valve and water pickup for fill.
Also it add weight even empty about 60 pounds with mounting brackets and that got my CG right on the money in calm water.
Also mine has built in baffels so where ,,if its not full all the way the water does not slap around in there.
Cool thing + i built it myself .
#23
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where do you get the water to fill your tank? Do you have a separate pickup? Do you come off of your water pump? It seems like a ballast tank or maybe a couple in different locations can be a good thing for a high performance boat.
#24
Registered
Just a quick note to all you "ballancer" guys.
Remeber where your fuel tank is and how much fuel you have. A full tank boat may have a CG in a different place then when it's 1/4 full. Also the hull design is critical. A steped or double step boat may need to be balanced different then a "no step" hull. A 38' boat with a relatively "straight" bottom (keel) will need the CG in a different location (may not work with the 25% rule) then a "curved" hull. A "ballast" system will help you in different speeds, but the best thing is to experiment and see what is the boat and you are at the best CG comfort level.
Remeber where your fuel tank is and how much fuel you have. A full tank boat may have a CG in a different place then when it's 1/4 full. Also the hull design is critical. A steped or double step boat may need to be balanced different then a "no step" hull. A 38' boat with a relatively "straight" bottom (keel) will need the CG in a different location (may not work with the 25% rule) then a "curved" hull. A "ballast" system will help you in different speeds, but the best thing is to experiment and see what is the boat and you are at the best CG comfort level.
#25
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bradenton Florida
Posts: 5,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try to get you a picture.
#26
Registered
Steve
#27
Racer
Racer
I believe where you set the CG should also take into account if you have a stepped boat. For example on my fountain I want additional weight in the back so my cg is set right at the first step from the transom. Moving it forward would have a significant effect on turning.
#28
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I believe where you set the CG should also take into account if you have a stepped boat. For example on my fountain I want additional weight in the back so my cg is set right at the first step from the transom. Moving it forward would have a significant effect on turning.
#29
Registered
I'd love to hear more about how to impliment a balast tank: adding and removing water, do you need to put something in to control the water going in? What sort of pump did you use to remove the water? What do you build the talk out of? Anyone try a bladder of any sort instead of a solid tank?
Any details would be appreciated.
My boat runs bow down and I'm trying to fix the hull to get the bow out of the water when it's smooth, but I've noticed that in rough water, the ride is a LOT smoother when someone is passed out on the v-berth. It would really be nice to add a couple hundred pounds when max speed isn't an issue but a smooth ride is.
Any details would be appreciated.
My boat runs bow down and I'm trying to fix the hull to get the bow out of the water when it's smooth, but I've noticed that in rough water, the ride is a LOT smoother when someone is passed out on the v-berth. It would really be nice to add a couple hundred pounds when max speed isn't an issue but a smooth ride is.
#30
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bradenton Florida
Posts: 5,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd love to hear more about how to impliment a balast tank: adding and removing water, do you need to put something in to control the water going in? What sort of pump did you use to remove the water? What do you build the talk out of? Anyone try a bladder of any sort instead of a solid tank?
Any details would be appreciated.
My boat runs bow down and I'm trying to fix the hull to get the bow out of the water when it's smooth, but I've noticed that in rough water, the ride is a LOT smoother when someone is passed out on the v-berth. It would really be nice to add a couple hundred pounds when max speed isn't an issue but a smooth ride is.
Any details would be appreciated.
My boat runs bow down and I'm trying to fix the hull to get the bow out of the water when it's smooth, but I've noticed that in rough water, the ride is a LOT smoother when someone is passed out on the v-berth. It would really be nice to add a couple hundred pounds when max speed isn't an issue but a smooth ride is.
That is to pump the water out, the water in line is forced in by itself, have a pick up on the trimmtab with a 12V seliniod valve that holds up to 400 PSI ,60 bucks, also got a water level gauge and 2 switches (1 for pump,1 for valve) 2 more hoses are mounted in the front part of the tank to let air out while water rushes in. And thats it.(also have a 1/2 inch shut off valve in the inline ,just in case!!!)
Just make shure that the balasttank is not mounted all the way in the nose of the boat,,it should be next to a bulkhead so no stress is aplied to the bottom of the hull.