[bolger] Dual Weighted Leeboards
David
I agree with Ernie. A very heavily leaded leeboard reinvents the
swing keel. Swing keels are notorious for developing pivot problems.
Imagine what would happen if you lost one of your boards. Automatic
knockdown. Also, a design that was ballast positive (unsinkable), might
become ballast negative (sinkable) and need serious rethinking and
modification. I think of a sharpie as a catamaran. Tremendous hull
stability between a pair of very hard chines to which one adds water
tanks or lead just enough to allow, unlike a cat, ultimate recovery.
Great idea but stay within the guidelines.
Ed Haile
I agree with Ernie. A very heavily leaded leeboard reinvents the
swing keel. Swing keels are notorious for developing pivot problems.
Imagine what would happen if you lost one of your boards. Automatic
knockdown. Also, a design that was ballast positive (unsinkable), might
become ballast negative (sinkable) and need serious rethinking and
modification. I think of a sharpie as a catamaran. Tremendous hull
stability between a pair of very hard chines to which one adds water
tanks or lead just enough to allow, unlike a cat, ultimate recovery.
Great idea but stay within the guidelines.
Ed Haile
I've always wondered why they call that thing a leeboard. When I dunk
my skiff at the boatramp, I put the board down away from the dock I'm
tied to, then pick it up when I return later on. I never toutch it
inbetween. <grin>
Anyway, the biggest problem with a weighted leeboard IMHO is the weight
itself... on small skiffs like we build it would have to severly cut
carrying capacity to overcome just the weight of your own butt. (Mine
especially)
If you've ever seen "The Sharpie Book" (and I do recomend it highly)
you will see some designs in the back that are ballasted, but these are
25 feet and up big little boats. The ballast is carried inside along
the centerboard, as this is the tradidional way. I suppose you could
play with getting this ballast outside, but I see several problems
beyond the block and tackel needed to raise it.
Enjoy
Ernie
my skiff at the boatramp, I put the board down away from the dock I'm
tied to, then pick it up when I return later on. I never toutch it
inbetween. <grin>
Anyway, the biggest problem with a weighted leeboard IMHO is the weight
itself... on small skiffs like we build it would have to severly cut
carrying capacity to overcome just the weight of your own butt. (Mine
especially)
If you've ever seen "The Sharpie Book" (and I do recomend it highly)
you will see some designs in the back that are ballasted, but these are
25 feet and up big little boats. The ballast is carried inside along
the centerboard, as this is the tradidional way. I suppose you could
play with getting this ballast outside, but I see several problems
beyond the block and tackel needed to raise it.
Enjoy
Ernie
I have seen lots of flat bottom boat designs that incorporate 1
unweighted leeboard. What would be the problems with having 2, one on
each side, and having each leeboard with ballast at the end to help
prevent knock down and also make the boat self-righting?
David Routh
unweighted leeboard. What would be the problems with having 2, one on
each side, and having each leeboard with ballast at the end to help
prevent knock down and also make the boat self-righting?
David Routh