My little H18.5 lists to starboard!! It has listed since I bought it, and it is very noticeable while sitting at dock, as the mast is not vertical above the water. The cause of the list is obvious -- the outboard motor and the lazarette (complete with anchors and other gear) are all on the starboard side. My question is, what effect does this have on sailing? I really don't know whether the sailing characteristics of the boat suffer because of this listing. The second question is, would it be worthhile to put, say, 100 pounds of bagged sand to port (obviously, as low as possible to keep the boat ballasted properly) in order to even out the way the boat rides in the water? I have heard of another 18.5 that also listed, and wonder if this is a characteristic of this boat, or if mine is one of a few that suffer from listing. Thanks for your help. Peter, S/V Katy Kaye
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RE: Listing 18.5
i launched my 18.5 for the first time yesterday and noticed that it does list to starboard slightly while motoring. i thought it was just a balance problem caused by me sitting on the starboard side to pilot. i'm about 200# and when i moved to the port side to pilot it was fine. it would seem to make sense that in such a small boat there will always be balance issues similar to those in a 1-design. on first inspection i did question why Hunter placed everything that was heavy to starboard (motor, fuel locker, ice chest, stove) but i'm sure there is some reason for it *smile* the gentleman i purchased my boat from made no mention of the listing or of any balance problems after having it for 5 seasons so i would assume it's not that important to performance or just part of the game. i'll take it for its first sail this week sometime but being a newbie i don't think i would know if good performance from the bad. at the very least under sail i won't know if it's listing or heeling so much
TTaylor 18.5
i launched my 18.5 for the first time yesterday and noticed that it does list to starboard slightly while motoring. i thought it was just a balance problem caused by me sitting on the starboard side to pilot. i'm about 200# and when i moved to the port side to pilot it was fine. it would seem to make sense that in such a small boat there will always be balance issues similar to those in a 1-design. on first inspection i did question why Hunter placed everything that was heavy to starboard (motor, fuel locker, ice chest, stove) but i'm sure there is some reason for it *smile* the gentleman i purchased my boat from made no mention of the listing or of any balance problems after having it for 5 seasons so i would assume it's not that important to performance or just part of the game. i'll take it for its first sail this week sometime but being a newbie i don't think i would know if good performance from the bad. at the very least under sail i won't know if it's listing or heeling so much
TTaylor 18.5Starboard List
Well, a starboard tack should be helped by that weight but when you change to a port tack, you may find that unbalanced situation could cause a slight problem since at this point that extra weight will not be helping. I suggest light winds for tests and then if you need added ballast before the force four and five tests. Hunter probably expected you to put some water and food aboard before getting under way. Good luck. Maybe Crazy Dave will give you a suggestion.
Well, a starboard tack should be helped by that weight but when you change to a port tack, you may find that unbalanced situation could cause a slight problem since at this point that extra weight will not be helping. I suggest light winds for tests and then if you need added ballast before the force four and five tests. Hunter probably expected you to put some water and food aboard before getting under way. Good luck. Maybe Crazy Dave will give you a suggestion.
Boy, we list...
We have the same feature on our 18.5. Even more so since we are using a 1960 OMC 10hp Seahorse. The companion 5 gallon gas tank in the rear of the cockpit helps a little. But with all of the gear in the lazarette, it looks kind of funny at the dock. As far as sailing characteristics, I attempt my riskier tacks on the starboard side. But there really is no noticeable difference. We just sail-like-hell all of the time. I wouldn't worry about it. I just concentrate on keeping the mast out the water. The rest sort of falls together.
We have the same feature on our 18.5. Even more so since we are using a 1960 OMC 10hp Seahorse. The companion 5 gallon gas tank in the rear of the cockpit helps a little. But with all of the gear in the lazarette, it looks kind of funny at the dock. As far as sailing characteristics, I attempt my riskier tacks on the starboard side. But there really is no noticeable difference. We just sail-like-hell all of the time. I wouldn't worry about it. I just concentrate on keeping the mast out the water. The rest sort of falls together.
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