[Alberg30] Ballast

[Hugh Freebairn]

I had a Columbia 29 which I put over 20,000 miles on in the Pacific and 
which I considered under balasted.  My solution was simple.  I used water 
balast in the keel.  My ols Columbia had a hge bilge which I filled about 
half full and there was a lot of difference in how she handled.  That being 
said, I whole heartedly agree that to punch to weather in 30+ knots you need 
a deep (50%) second mainsail reef and a nice flat 70% jib.  I sailed my 
Columbia to weather in the S. Pacific trades using this configuration (water 
in the bilge also).  As for my Alberg 30 "Aliage"  she is currently being 
set up to do just this again.  She had two lead bars on top of the pan on 
the floor of the vee berth which I immediately removed as totally 
ineffective considering how high they were and also that they were cracking 
the pan.

In conclusion the right sails will do the job and what's more the boat will 
self steer like a dream with the right sail balance even to weather in 30 
knots.

Hugh Freebairn, A30 "Aliage"


>From: "John Birch" <Sunstone at idirect.com>
>Reply-To: public-list at alberg30.org
>To: <public-list at alberg30.org>
>Subject: Re: [Alberg30] Ballast
>Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 14:10:57 -0500
>
>Albergs will always be more tender - but in my opinion it is one of the
>boat's strengths as they roll with the punches reducing the shock and peak
>loading to rig, equipment and structures. The boats will not point as high
>as modern fins by a couple of degrees, but in high winds, one is usually
>footing to weather as pointing becomes impossible in any type of boat.
>
>As for adding ballast - why not carry extra chain instead over the keel -
>giving you something more useful when anchoring. The "problem", as you
>define it is much more related to form stability than ballasting. I
>seriously doubt on a 400 series boat that loading extra weight that high up
>from the bottom of the keel will do much more than make the boat sit lower
>in the water and be slower in the lighter conditions. You won't get a
>meaningful improvement in the righting arm I suspect.
>
>The form stability of the Alberg is hull shape related and is what gives 
>the
>boat such a good roll capsize screening ratio as defined in The Desirable
>and Undesirable Characteristics of Offshore Yachts.
>
>A flat, bladed out main, and flatter headsail shapes will help considerably
>in reducing unnecessary heeling due to poor sail shape. You might also find
>the North Sails Racing Course/Seminar helpful - I did anyway. I hear the
>course is even better now. Hope this was a help.
>
>Cheers,
>
>John
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <baileyje at voyager.net>
>To: <public-list at alberg30.org>
>Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2001 1:25 PM
>Subject: Re: [Alberg30] Ballast
>
>
> > I guess I'm not sure what you mean by tender.  I was told that the A30
> > was tender at first but then stiffend up when heeled a bit.  Now, I've
> > only sailed for two years, and I admit the first year I didn't know
> > what the word "reef" meant.  I sailed in some real "fun" conditions
> > with the rail under for minutes at a time.  I even got the combing wet
> > one time.  I don't remember thinking I was going over.  So, I consider
> > the A30 a stiff boat, even though she likes to heel at first.  By the
> > way, I've learned what the word "reef" means and it does make for any
> > easier ride, if not as fun.
> >
> > John Bailey
> > "Zevulun" #33>
> > This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
> > > > Hello Gang,
> > >
> > > As some of you may recall, I have moaned in the past about being a
> > little dissapointed at my A30's ability to carry sail in a blow.  I am
> > in the process of crunching numbers to determine the benefit of adding
> > lead ballast beneath my liner pan under the cabin sole.  Anybody else
> > gone down this road?
> > >
> > > Gord
> > > KC426 Surprise
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
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