I posted the quote in sticky thread about the differences between the 26 foot water ballast boats. I will repost it here for discussion since that other thread is getting screwed up for its original intention. This has just a little to do with where you place bed but might be more interesting for how weight distribution in general affects the performance of this type of sailboat.
Quote from the sticky thread below
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I like the 26C rear berth myself. In the last few years of owning a 26S, I have been a little more focused on making the boat a better sailboat. These boats are light weight with rigs to match so keeping them overall light makes them faster, The weight distribution also likely has some influence and the models I go by for weight distribution are:
Model 1. CG should be in the middle of the boat for least horizontal acceleration of mass due to waves
Model 2. CG should be near the widest point of the boat. The ballast has its longest moment arm with the boats center of buoyancy when heeled at this point - giving the best bang of righting moment per weight
Model 3. When the hull moves through the water, it generates lift - even a displacement hull and if this lift is generated efficiently, it reduces drag of the hull. An efficient air foil shape creates its maximum lift in the forward part of the foil. The best place for the boats CG is near this most efficient place for the hull to generate lift.
Model 4. You want a smooth release of water from the aft end of the boat and maximum water line length so the transition from the bottom of the boat to the horizontal transom should be just above water line.
For performance, all of the above point to placing weight near the center of the boat or slightly forward. Beds tend to be "light and fluffy" so for a light weight boat like the 26 classics, are best to the rear and heavier stuff placed in the center of the boat or slightly forward. The rear berth of the 26S is best for weight distribution if the bed is kept relatively light weight (easy to do). .
And.. one thing that may really not be important except for piece of mind.. On these ungrounded mast boats, if lightning strikes the mast, it will 100% of the time arc from the bottom of the mast to the nearest water surface. Be careful about putting your head right under the bottom of the mast if you intend to sleep on the boat in an area where you may get lightning activity.
Quote from the sticky thread below
------------------------
I like the 26C rear berth myself. In the last few years of owning a 26S, I have been a little more focused on making the boat a better sailboat. These boats are light weight with rigs to match so keeping them overall light makes them faster, The weight distribution also likely has some influence and the models I go by for weight distribution are:
Model 1. CG should be in the middle of the boat for least horizontal acceleration of mass due to waves
Model 2. CG should be near the widest point of the boat. The ballast has its longest moment arm with the boats center of buoyancy when heeled at this point - giving the best bang of righting moment per weight
Model 3. When the hull moves through the water, it generates lift - even a displacement hull and if this lift is generated efficiently, it reduces drag of the hull. An efficient air foil shape creates its maximum lift in the forward part of the foil. The best place for the boats CG is near this most efficient place for the hull to generate lift.
Model 4. You want a smooth release of water from the aft end of the boat and maximum water line length so the transition from the bottom of the boat to the horizontal transom should be just above water line.
For performance, all of the above point to placing weight near the center of the boat or slightly forward. Beds tend to be "light and fluffy" so for a light weight boat like the 26 classics, are best to the rear and heavier stuff placed in the center of the boat or slightly forward. The rear berth of the 26S is best for weight distribution if the bed is kept relatively light weight (easy to do). .
And.. one thing that may really not be important except for piece of mind.. On these ungrounded mast boats, if lightning strikes the mast, it will 100% of the time arc from the bottom of the mast to the nearest water surface. Be careful about putting your head right under the bottom of the mast if you intend to sleep on the boat in an area where you may get lightning activity.
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