Catalina 'discovers' lead as ballast.

[c_amos]

I was reading last months Crusing World (which I rarely do. Good Old Boat is about the only sailing rag that gets my attention).

There was an add from Catalina, they were touting this new keel material they were using for their bolt-on wing keels.... some revolutionary new formula called 'lead'.

They claim it is 2:1 as heavy as iron, and results in a stiffer, better sailing boat that heals less and points higher for a given ballast (something about carrying more weight lower).

Anyway, I wondered if anyone here has ever heard of such a thing, and if it might be of value to any with our old outdated technology Ariels and Commanders.

Maybe for an upgrade on re-fit?

;)

[carl291]

Craig,
I don't know for sure, might be worth looking into..:D:D.....it's called "lead" Huh???:D:D

[Frenna]

Lead! Awesome. I have been saving the paint chips from my toddlers window sill for years in the hopes of making my own ballast adjusting weights. I was hoping to use depleted uranium, but the last time I tried sneaking into sub-base bangor they told me any further cuts in the perimeter fence would go on my permanent record.

Of course we all know that lead needs to be alloyed with antimony to be any good as ballast, and gold is even heavier, but that leads to alimony. Iron, on the other hand, works just fine all by itself. Come to think of it, I think that is what my wife's skillet is made of. Next time I see it swinging in my direction I'll check the lettering on the bottom. I don't know where I'm going with this, but it can't be good.

That said, one of my former Cheoy Lee's had iron ballast encapsulated the way the Pearson Lead is. As it inevitably rusts, it expands with destructive potentional. Luckily the Cheoy's just shifted upward and not
outward, but I am glad to have lead in C231. Of course it also pegs the scrap value of an A/C at about $2500.00, but that would be heresy.

So, when we go around the table this thanksgiving, I will be making a toast to Pearson for using such a noble metal in C231, which I almost, but not quite, own.

[c_amos]

Lead! Awesome....


... Of course it also pegs the scrap value of an A/C at about...
... that would be heresy..

You must never.. ever.. speak that openly again. :eek:

[Al Lorman]

These snide comments about Catalina and lead keels miss the point. Fin keeled Catalinas have always had lead keels; they didn't "just" discover lead. I think the ad which caused the misguided snideness was Catalina's way of pointing out that many of the current Euro boats in fact use cast iron, which is cheaper and less effective.

[carl291]

Let me "lead" the way in being the first to apologize for any snide remark I have previously posted about any salad dressing! :rolleyes:

[bill@ariel231]

The jury will disregard the statement on scrap value (referee bill can you edit the record lest anyone get any bad ideas?).

[ebb]

Scrap value is a joke, you might get $200 for the ballast in an A/C - if you're lucky.

[Al Lorman]

This board has a really nice group of folks. When I posted my comments about Catalina and lead keels, I fully expected to be flamed. Didn't happen; instead, everyone was nice and witty. Must be something about the kind of people who are attracted to Alberg boats.

Al

[carl291]

Once again Ebb is spot on.
You would spend more in sawz-all blades than you would get for the scrap, last time I checked it was .06/lb if it was clean.

[c_amos]

Scrap value is a joke, you might get $200 for the ballast in an A/C - if you're lucky.

And be cursed for life.. and loose your hair, your hearing, never have an anchor hold in foul weather... might as well kill an albatross. :eek:

[Bill]

And be cursed for life.. and loose your hair, your hearing, never have an anchor hold in foul weather... might as well kill an albatross. :eek:

OK, that's it. Those threats require that we delete this thread . . .:p

[ebb]

Seen ballast from unfortunate lien sale boats - that is those that didn't get sold - in a forlorn heap at times on the tarmat in the yard. My 'yacht harbor' has the contract for making abandoned boats disappear into the landfill. I've seen 'em being towed in tied together in a string, still floating, to be slaughtered - neglected, tattered and stripped of their jewelry.

In the years I've been there have yet to see an Alberg sacrificed to the Husqvarnas.
I'd probably try to get aholt of Rico instead of throwing my body across the bow of a forlorn Commander or Ariel.
You don't know, there may even be a living curse on killing an Alberg.:eek:

Then the scrappers from Richmond appear and the metal disappears.

In the Commodities market the spot price for scrap lead (battery plates, lugs & wheel weights) is between $.25 and $.75. But that is what the button downs are trading it for today. The real price is what the recycler gives you in the yard. 6 cents a pound sounds about right. You'd have a hard time getting $5 for your used battery. Probably have to pay $5 to have it taken away.