Planning to add 200 lbs lead balast (old tire weights) in the spring to a 1973 ODay 22. Wondering if there is any information out there on what sort of stuff (epoxy?) to mix in to hold the weights together in the bilge so they harden into a solid mass. Thanks for your ideas or referals. Neil
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Why?
Why do you want to add balast to your boat? I would prefer to shorten sail a bit earlier and retain the light air performance you have now. Are you having a particular issue? Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Why do you want to add balast to your boat? I would prefer to shorten sail a bit earlier and retain the light air performance you have now. Are you having a particular issue? Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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R.W.Landau
I Agree with Justin
If in the end you do want to add the ballast, put it in a bag or container and place it about where you were going to install it. Then sail with it in the boat (light and heavy wind)before installing it permanently. r.w.landau
If in the end you do want to add the ballast, put it in a bag or container and place it about where you were going to install it. Then sail with it in the boat (light and heavy wind)before installing it permanently. r.w.landau
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Neil
Because...
I'm told that the first years models of the 22 were light, and it sure feels that way. O'Day increased the ballast by 200 pounds in the 22 in the mid '700's and they reportedly are the better for it. Thanks for the idea of bagging the ballast to temporarily try it first.
I'm told that the first years models of the 22 were light, and it sure feels that way. O'Day increased the ballast by 200 pounds in the 22 in the mid '700's and they reportedly are the better for it. Thanks for the idea of bagging the ballast to temporarily try it first.
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proto57
What O'Day said about the matter...
In the original O'Day owner's manual, they do have advice on the subject: "The O'Day 22 has 600 lbs. of lead ballast 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 evne 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 floatation at the same time in order to support extra weitht, should the hull take on water through a leak or hull puncture." I do have an early O22, a 1973, which I assume has the original 600 lb. keel. They added 100 lbs. on later boats... but I have to say that I never found it necessary to have more. I have to ask... have you sailed your boat yet? If not, sail it first, then decide. I concur with the other guys, that you should reef to fit the wind, and keep your boat peppy and lightweight as designed. I've sailed in some rough stuff, and reefed down the the mainsail to handle it. I was able to sail with a beam sea, in 20MPH winds at least, at hull speed... and not feel like I was even going to bury the deck. Another point to make would be that ballast added, as they suggest, would only be just below the waterline... and not have the same righting moment as the same 200 lbs lower down the keel anyway... you'd be adding all that weight, and not getting the all the advantage. Personally, if I ever wanted to do it (and like I said, I am not interested in doing it), I would cast two lead bars of 100 lbs each, and bolt them to the sides of the bottom of the keel. I would cast nice teardrops, then set them in epoxy, and run four or six 1/2" stainless bolts right through the keel. Now that would get your 200lb worth, if you wanted it. But I'm not recommending anyone do it... just musing "out loud". Rich.
In the original O'Day owner's manual, they do have advice on the subject: "The O'Day 22 has 600 lbs. of lead ballast 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 evne 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 floatation at the same time in order to support extra weitht, should the hull take on water through a leak or hull puncture." I do have an early O22, a 1973, which I assume has the original 600 lb. keel. They added 100 lbs. on later boats... but I have to say that I never found it necessary to have more. I have to ask... have you sailed your boat yet? If not, sail it first, then decide. I concur with the other guys, that you should reef to fit the wind, and keep your boat peppy and lightweight as designed. I've sailed in some rough stuff, and reefed down the the mainsail to handle it. I was able to sail with a beam sea, in 20MPH winds at least, at hull speed... and not feel like I was even going to bury the deck. Another point to make would be that ballast added, as they suggest, would only be just below the waterline... and not have the same righting moment as the same 200 lbs lower down the keel anyway... you'd be adding all that weight, and not getting the all the advantage. Personally, if I ever wanted to do it (and like I said, I am not interested in doing it), I would cast two lead bars of 100 lbs each, and bolt them to the sides of the bottom of the keel. I would cast nice teardrops, then set them in epoxy, and run four or six 1/2" stainless bolts right through the keel. Now that would get your 200lb worth, if you wanted it. But I'm not recommending anyone do it... just musing "out loud". Rich.
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Rich
Ultimately "Why?"
I guess it all comes down again to Justin's original response to you--"Why?" If you're concerned about stability ONLY, reef your sails or stay in port on heavy days. If you're not comfortable reefing sails, go ahead and add about 1,000 pounds of weight and buy a 40 hp outboard 'cause you're wasting your time trying to sail. On the other hand, having raced my '75 O'Day 22 this past year in as many PHRF races as I could find (almost every weekend for 11 months), I can unequivocally state that adding weight to an already-overweight boat is a bad mistake for any chance of light air performance (read "movement"). Granted, I am a certifiable fruitcake about racing and anyone in their right mind would not attempt to race a boat never designed for racing but, for what it's worth to normal-thinking human beings, adding weight to the O'Day 22 will do nothing but make it sink faster. The very limited gain in heavy air conditions will be more than negated by the "at anchor" effect achieved in even moderately light air. But, once again, it ultimately comes down to what you want from the boat. I would strongly recommend, if you're convinced adding weight is needed, that you follow the other advice given here and simply place the weight temporarily in the boat and try it out before going anywhere near the "E" word (i.e., epoxy). Happy Sailing Rich (in New Orleans) s/v TIME BANDIT 1975 O'Day 22
I guess it all comes down again to Justin's original response to you--"Why?" If you're concerned about stability ONLY, reef your sails or stay in port on heavy days. If you're not comfortable reefing sails, go ahead and add about 1,000 pounds of weight and buy a 40 hp outboard 'cause you're wasting your time trying to sail. On the other hand, having raced my '75 O'Day 22 this past year in as many PHRF races as I could find (almost every weekend for 11 months), I can unequivocally state that adding weight to an already-overweight boat is a bad mistake for any chance of light air performance (read "movement"). Granted, I am a certifiable fruitcake about racing and anyone in their right mind would not attempt to race a boat never designed for racing but, for what it's worth to normal-thinking human beings, adding weight to the O'Day 22 will do nothing but make it sink faster. The very limited gain in heavy air conditions will be more than negated by the "at anchor" effect achieved in even moderately light air. But, once again, it ultimately comes down to what you want from the boat. I would strongly recommend, if you're convinced adding weight is needed, that you follow the other advice given here and simply place the weight temporarily in the boat and try it out before going anywhere near the "E" word (i.e., epoxy). Happy Sailing Rich (in New Orleans) s/v TIME BANDIT 1975 O'Day 22
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Neil
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the replies. We have sailed the boat about a half dozen times. Have not reefed, so will try that before ballast. We were advised by Rudy at D&R Marine that the boat sails better with the +100 or +200 lbs, but maybe not according to this forum.
Thanks for the replies. We have sailed the boat about a half dozen times. Have not reefed, so will try that before ballast. We were advised by Rudy at D&R Marine that the boat sails better with the +100 or +200 lbs, but maybe not according to this forum.
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