I have read that adding lead to the keel of an Oday 22 can stiffen the boat considerably. How would I go about doing this? Can I do it myself or do I need professional help? Thanks in advance. Anthony Snider agsnider@unity.ncsu.edu
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From the manual:
I just got my O'Day 22 manual from Daniel, so at least I can quote from it. I have not done this myself (haven't even sailed the thing yet!), but here's what Bangor Punta said, way back when: "The O'Day 22 has 600 lbs. of lead ballast [more on later boats, I think-Rich] glassed into the keel, which is more than adequate; however, you can add more, if you prefer more stability. The easiest way to add is to pour lead shot (available at any good sporting goods store into the keel area through the bilge drain plug. You may even mix with catalyzed resin for a more permanent job, but be sure area is dry. We have customers who have added 200 lbs in this manner, but be sure to increase positive flotation at the same time in order to support extra weight, should the hull take on water through a leak or hull puncture." They make it sound pretty easy! Rich.
I just got my O'Day 22 manual from Daniel, so at least I can quote from it. I have not done this myself (haven't even sailed the thing yet!), but here's what Bangor Punta said, way back when: "The O'Day 22 has 600 lbs. of lead ballast [more on later boats, I think-Rich] glassed into the keel, which is more than adequate; however, you can add more, if you prefer more stability. The easiest way to add is to pour lead shot (available at any good sporting goods store into the keel area through the bilge drain plug. You may even mix with catalyzed resin for a more permanent job, but be sure area is dry. We have customers who have added 200 lbs in this manner, but be sure to increase positive flotation at the same time in order to support extra weight, should the hull take on water through a leak or hull puncture." They make it sound pretty easy! Rich.
small increments
Its funny, really, because most of my friends consider me to be a significant risk taker and this will be the second time in as many days that I advise someone to take things slowly.
If you are going to add balast, I would add it in small increments instead of at one time. At some point you are going to decrease performance noticably and you don't want to make the boat heavier than necessary to find the stability you are looking for. Also, be careful as you sail with shot in the keelson. If you are not familiar with the free-surface effect think about how tippsy a dinghy full of water feels. This is largely due to the mass of the water inside it continuing to exert a force on it even after the force that cause it to start moving has ceased. Your lead shot will behave similarly. If I were you I would do you project carefully, and as soon as you think you have the balast right use epoxy to stabilize it. As always, do as you will, not as I say, and please, please, please, keep your lawyers at bay. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Its funny, really, because most of my friends consider me to be a significant risk taker and this will be the second time in as many days that I advise someone to take things slowly.
If you are going to add balast, I would add it in small increments instead of at one time. At some point you are going to decrease performance noticably and you don't want to make the boat heavier than necessary to find the stability you are looking for. Also, be careful as you sail with shot in the keelson. If you are not familiar with the free-surface effect think about how tippsy a dinghy full of water feels. This is largely due to the mass of the water inside it continuing to exert a force on it even after the force that cause it to start moving has ceased. Your lead shot will behave similarly. If I were you I would do you project carefully, and as soon as you think you have the balast right use epoxy to stabilize it. As always, do as you will, not as I say, and please, please, please, keep your lawyers at bay. Justin - O'day Owners' WebWhy Do You Want To Do This?
My friend's OD22 is not that tender IMHO. You can't go back from this project. Consider alternatives first. If your boat feels too tender, reduce sail. Put in a reef in the main earlier, hank on a smaller head sail. Redistribute weight. Get it down as low as possible. Water tanks, batteries. Adding permanent weight to your keel could kill performance.SA/D is not guess work, there is some science behind it. Personally I wouldn't second guess the O'Day designers. Sorry for sounding sour on this one. Don
My friend's OD22 is not that tender IMHO. You can't go back from this project. Consider alternatives first. If your boat feels too tender, reduce sail. Put in a reef in the main earlier, hank on a smaller head sail. Redistribute weight. Get it down as low as possible. Water tanks, batteries. Adding permanent weight to your keel could kill performance.SA/D is not guess work, there is some science behind it. Personally I wouldn't second guess the O'Day designers. Sorry for sounding sour on this one. Don
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