Just thinking here.. has anyone thought of adding more weight (ballast) to their H23s? Thanks! Denise
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Water Ballast
Hi Denise, I read you posts on lauching your boat after winter and it sounds like you are things are going well. When I bought my boat, H-23, it came with six (6) plastic five gallon bladders that were placed among the stringers (port / Starboard and up front under the wodden base for the berth. This is not only good for windy days, but also when trailering so that the baot does not bounce around since it is soo light and it rides high on the trailer. Yo may purchase them from Harbor Freight, they have some different sizes, the 5 gallon ones will work great. My boat has been in the water since January and it is weather beaten by now, plus is too hot to sleep in it at night so it is coming out of the water after Memorial Day weekend for a while to clean, scraope the bottom and give it a little TLC for a while...
Hi Denise, I read you posts on lauching your boat after winter and it sounds like you are things are going well. When I bought my boat, H-23, it came with six (6) plastic five gallon bladders that were placed among the stringers (port / Starboard and up front under the wodden base for the berth. This is not only good for windy days, but also when trailering so that the baot does not bounce around since it is soo light and it rides high on the trailer. Yo may purchase them from Harbor Freight, they have some different sizes, the 5 gallon ones will work great. My boat has been in the water since January and it is weather beaten by now, plus is too hot to sleep in it at night so it is coming out of the water after Memorial Day weekend for a while to clean, scraope the bottom and give it a little TLC for a while...
spinfisher.. 264 lbs
since water weighs about 8.8 lbs a gal... Seems to me more ballast would make it faster! Not sure just yet if I will or not. I may try it just to see how it affects handling. thanks!
since water weighs about 8.8 lbs a gal... Seems to me more ballast would make it faster! Not sure just yet if I will or not. I may try it just to see how it affects handling. thanks!
weight vs heel
If you are heeling too much, you will loose speed and this boat will typically develop a lot of weather helm and "round up" to windward. Adding weight, if it is low enough, can counteract the heeling. But, you can accomplish the same thing (reducing heel) with sail trim controls without adding weight (drop the traveler, reef...etc.). All things equal, a heavier object will move slower than a lighter one under equal forces. In anycase, you are going to be limited by your theoretical hull speed (unless you surf down a wave - see recent discussions on "broaching"). Play with your sail trim before using up your limited storage space with bags of water. That way, when the wind dies down, you can change your sail trim and move better than lugging around extra ballast.
If you are heeling too much, you will loose speed and this boat will typically develop a lot of weather helm and "round up" to windward. Adding weight, if it is low enough, can counteract the heeling. But, you can accomplish the same thing (reducing heel) with sail trim controls without adding weight (drop the traveler, reef...etc.). All things equal, a heavier object will move slower than a lighter one under equal forces. In anycase, you are going to be limited by your theoretical hull speed (unless you surf down a wave - see recent discussions on "broaching"). Play with your sail trim before using up your limited storage space with bags of water. That way, when the wind dies down, you can change your sail trim and move better than lugging around extra ballast.
Resist the urge to add weight
IMHO there's no single absolutely correct answer to the question of more weight. A lot will depend on where you sail (sea and wind conditions) how you sail (racing vs. cruising) your sails (condition, size and number of reef points) your sail trim controls (adjustable traveler, adjustable jib leads, backstay adjuster, vang and cunningham) as well as the skill level (yourself - and your crew, if you have one) and your confidence in the boat. Personally, I'd try to figure out how to keep the boat on her feet in my customary sailing conditions rather than add weight. However, if adding weight is our only option, I'd give it a shot. It works for the water-ballast boats. Peter H23 "Raven"
IMHO there's no single absolutely correct answer to the question of more weight. A lot will depend on where you sail (sea and wind conditions) how you sail (racing vs. cruising) your sails (condition, size and number of reef points) your sail trim controls (adjustable traveler, adjustable jib leads, backstay adjuster, vang and cunningham) as well as the skill level (yourself - and your crew, if you have one) and your confidence in the boat. Personally, I'd try to figure out how to keep the boat on her feet in my customary sailing conditions rather than add weight. However, if adding weight is our only option, I'd give it a shot. It works for the water-ballast boats. Peter H23 "Raven"
Knowledge V Weight
I agree with the more weight-more sluggish POV. Sail control is the thing to focus on. There is nothing more tender than singlehanding a 216 in 19 mph wind conditions. Imevitably it always intimidates me but when I push through my concern and prepare for it (flatten sail, reef, decide I can move without the jib deployed, or use the outboard to augment control if needed) its a blast. Additionally, I NEVER regret formally learning to sail with ASA. Knowledge = confidence.
I agree with the more weight-more sluggish POV. Sail control is the thing to focus on. There is nothing more tender than singlehanding a 216 in 19 mph wind conditions. Imevitably it always intimidates me but when I push through my concern and prepare for it (flatten sail, reef, decide I can move without the jib deployed, or use the outboard to augment control if needed) its a blast. Additionally, I NEVER regret formally learning to sail with ASA. Knowledge = confidence.
but....
if there were 4 adults on board.... I wonder if the designers had that in mind? BTW I have a kenyon mast and boom. (33ft) The former owner told me my boat was once raced on Long Island Sound. but im more for sailing in comfort and not pushing things. Which is why I got the CDI and genoa. thanks for all the input! Denise
if there were 4 adults on board.... I wonder if the designers had that in mind? BTW I have a kenyon mast and boom. (33ft) The former owner told me my boat was once raced on Long Island Sound. but im more for sailing in comfort and not pushing things. Which is why I got the CDI and genoa. thanks for all the input! Denise
Denise
although the h23 is a little tender initially, she stands up to the conditions she was designed for very well. Peter is right there is no one answer to your question, but adding extra weight , while maybe gaining a little initial stability does not necessarily make the boat more stable when you start getting into righting angles, center of buoyancy and all that other naval architect talk that none of us really understand. If you decide to add weight be conservative, one thing always affects another. I would suggest first sailing for a season in different weather conditions, figuring out sail trim ( a lifelong undertaking) and then making your decision. But most of all, have fun. Fair Winds Dave h23 "Wind Dreamer
although the h23 is a little tender initially, she stands up to the conditions she was designed for very well. Peter is right there is no one answer to your question, but adding extra weight , while maybe gaining a little initial stability does not necessarily make the boat more stable when you start getting into righting angles, center of buoyancy and all that other naval architect talk that none of us really understand. If you decide to add weight be conservative, one thing always affects another. I would suggest first sailing for a season in different weather conditions, figuring out sail trim ( a lifelong undertaking) and then making your decision. But most of all, have fun. Fair Winds Dave h23 "Wind Dreamer
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