Center of Gravity 1985 Sovereign 24 Sloop

[shadetreevet]

Good morning:
We recently were given a 1985 Sovereign 24 foot sloop (series PSGPS24). I have a pretty solid dual axle trailer that I'll be adapting to carry and winter store the boat.

Is the center of gravity for this boat posted anywhere?

Thanks,
Mark in Olympia WA

 

[LloydB]

Maybe somewhere but the CG would more depend on crew number/size and gear on board so in a race you would move crew for best point of sail for the conditions.

 

[Brian S]

Perhaps you are looking for COG for purposes of trailering? In that case, keeping the boat as low as possible on the trailer is desirable, regardless of where the actual COG falls.

COG would also change depending on distribution of weight of items carried on the boat, with crew being the biggest and easiest to change, as LloydB points out.

 

[shadetreevet]

Perhaps you are looking for COG for purposes of trailering? In that case, keeping the boat as low as possible on the trailer is desirable, regardless of where the actual COG falls.

COG would also change depending on distribution of weight of items carried on the boat, with crew being the biggest and easiest to change, as LloydB points out.

Good morning:
Right. The info is needed so I can refit the trailer for the boat. The former owner is paying to have a crane lift the boat from the storage blocking and place it directly on the trailer. For trailering to my place it will have no added weight (motor,gear, etc.). I just want to be kind of comfortable that the weight distribution will be approximately correct when the boat settles on the supports I've prepared.

A second, related question, is how much of the weight should the keel support when the boat is trailered? I've been told that with shallow draft keels like this boat has (10 feet long, abouit 18 inches deep, ballast in the front half), it is important that much of the weight be supported by the keel so as to reduce the chance that the "hanging weight" of a suspended keel damages the boat while being trailered. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Brian S]

Mark, I think you are a little more concerned with fore/aft position of the boat with regards to trailer axle - which directly influences the tongue weight. Figure about 10% of all-up weight to reduce trailer weave behind the tow vehicle. (If it does start to sway, speed UP to stop weaving, then slowly reduce speed to keep it under control.)

I believe most keel boats want to sit primarily on the keel, with just side to side support not taking significant weight. What you say of a keel that does not have full length (of the keel) ballast does make sense. All my boats do have the keel supported along its length (even the centerboarder dinghy) so I've never thought of that...

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Mark;

As a former but retired sailboat dealer who has positioned boats onto trailers, I will speak from experience and knowledge.

first, I am not sure if your boat is a keel or swing keel. Brain S. hit on some main points. If this is a keel boat, the weight of the boat will be supported by the keel sitting on a keel tray. If that is the case, make sure the keel tray is fine but if not, then replace those boards. If it is a metal keel tray, make sure you add carpet so the boat will not slide as it will with a keel sitting on metal in transit is not secured correctly.,

If it is a swing keel, the weight of the swing keel will rest on the keel tray while the rest of the boat is supported by the bunk boards. Again make sure the bunk boards are not rotten and replace accordingly and apply new carpet (outdoor carpet of course) and make darn sure that the bunk boards are aligned with the curvature of the hull.

With all boats, you want for safety appx. 10% of the total weight of the boat and trailer on the tongue on the tow vehicle. If not, you will experience swaying more so on a single axle vs. a dual axle. So make sure the boat is positioned on the trailer but at the same time look at the tires(make sure they are inflated to specs) that the tires are not dry rotted or damaged.

Replace the winch strap if rotten or if it is line, that too if rotten. Make sure you have a safety chain for the bow eye as a back up but if not, use a heavy duty line. If chain is too long, you can always twist it to shorten it up. Make sure lights are working.

Most dual axle trailers will have brakes and if so insure they are working. Some states require inspection so check on what the requriements for titling and registration as well as inspection.

Always use a tie down across the cockpit only and twist the line a couple of times coming over the cockpit combing down the side to keep the strap from flapping in the wind. Go about 10- 20 miles stopping to inspect make sure all it tight and not loose.

Once you take ownership of the boat, liability will rest with you. Hope this helps and if you have any further questions, feel free to contact me via this forum's email.

crazy dave condon