The "rusty rings" in your bilge are connected to the boat's "external ballast" in the keel. The "pigs" are/were loose blocks of lead just sitting in the bilge. About 200 lbs worth to compensate for the missing Atomic-4. If you have an inboard engine, no pigs. Oink, oink.
Removing the pigs makes the boat more "lively," which might not be comfortable for some. But, if you race . . .
Ok, that was Herb's boat, I remember it well, was wondering what ever became of it.
Good boat, It was around here forever and I think sailed out of Fishing Bay YC .
where you keeping her ?
Beaufort?
Mike, Pete, & Bill
Mike,
Yes, it was Herb's boat. I bought her and brought her down here to the New River (Jacksonville) NC. Good sailing here on the river, Hang a right on the ICW and you are out Topsail inlet, or a left gets you to Beaufort.
They are supposed to dredge the New River inlet again here in a couple months, (I ran it once, last fall......I would not recommend it).
Herb was a good steward of 226, I hope the same may be true of me. I have re-tabbed the hull-to-deck joint around the transom, re-built the stbd corner that had been formed out of bondo (?) at some point, and am working my way forward up the decks grinding the gelcoat crazing and building epoxy as I go.
My intent is to do the jobs, whatever I work on, to be able to meet a couple standards;
Can I honestly say this is the right way to do this?
Can I feel comfortable taking this off shore?
Now, I know those are fairly subjective standards. I also know that 5 Sailors might have 10 answers on some issues. I am for the counsel I receive here.
Commander Pete said;
I am inclined to agree. I find de-pigged boats to be a bit tender, I rather like the stability of my boat. Ole Carl decided them pigs needed to be there, who am I to argue? No, the inquiry on my part is more about understanding what may be under that glass, and what all is SUPPOSED to be down there. Thanks to the input I have gotten, it is more clear now.I gotta ask--why take them out?
I remember seeing a rusty ring down in my bilge, glass all under it. Must be them pigs.
Who are they hurtin?
Bill said;
And I do. #226 finished 8th of 16 in our Fall series regatta, with a little help from PHRF, and a healthy field of DNF'sRemoving the pigs makes the boat more "lively," which might not be comfortable for some. But, if you race . . .
I wonder though, would not removing the pigs shorten the LWL ?
The boat heals, the water line grows . . . get the weight out if you race.
Dan wrote: ". . if it is a "counterbalance" for the outboard weight . . " No, it was added to compensate for the weight of the missing Atomic-4 to meet an old racing rule and supposedly to equalize the ob with the inboard models.
Couple of pictures
Here is the 'main' bilge access. It is the one just forward of the sink.
As you can see in the picture, there is about 12" here. Probably the same as most others. The difference is that this is about the deepest point in my bilge.
Last edited by c_amos; 02-27-2005 at 07:07 PM. Reason: Edit to re-size pictures
Nothing of much to see forward, just the other little piggie hiding there.
(sorry about the mess, the cabin is trashed as my poor boat is more of a hazmat locker/workshop at the moment.)
Last edited by c_amos; 02-27-2005 at 07:20 PM.
OK, here's a rookie, gentleman day-sailor question. I've found that it is great fun to bury the rail in a big breeze but my GPS indicates more leeway, less getting to where I'm going and more weather helm which I perceive as dragging the rudder. That's a long way of saying I think its slower. If I sail it standing up more it seems faster though less dramatic. Therefore, doesn't all that weight help?
Also, I seem to have one of the few Commanders where the ballast has not been glassed in and the lift-rings are intact. Guess I got lucky.
The lift rings were left in on all the boats. If gone, a PO has removed them.Originally Posted by SkipperJer
PS - Sail trim will compensate for missing ballast in terms of keeping the boat upright. Lighter is faster, but not necessarily as comfortable. If you race, ditch the loose pigs. If not, leave them there to keep the family happy. #76 has extra lead (160 lbs?) glassed in just aft of the head. It keeps the bow down, but she's not quite as fast as the other racing fleet Ariels. Not a big problem, however, racing PHRF.
I, too, have added about 90 Lbs. of lead weights down in the lowest part of the anchor chain locker, to keep the tail from dragging when we have sailing guests astern. It also keeps the nose down in a chop, but it probably adds to the hobbyhorse action, being closer to the end of the hull. A trade off, but not a huge problem. BTW, we finished fifth of seven, good enough to maintain our second place in the standings. It was a four mile race with three knots of shifty wind, not an Ariel's best day, but fine for the B division winner, a Hobie 33.
()-9
starcrest had those too
the eyes were not eroded so I was able to lift them both out.I believe I gave them to a boat builder for ballast.the lost weight was more than compensated for with the inclusion of all the canned goods water fuel etc
Last edited by eric (deceased); 07-21-2005 at 08:27 PM.
My Ariel had the atomic 4 removed, and has an outboard in the well. The prop shaft is still there and can spin....I have not removed it. Perhaps adding pigs would help her be less tender? Also, does anyone else have a pig in the bow? One of the previous owners put a large one in the bow and encapsulated it with foam. Perhaps to offset the weight of the outboard, but is seems to me this would increase the hobby horse effect, and she has it for sure.
Any ideas?
I do not have the budget to re power her with an inboard....and I find the 8 HP to still not be enough when fighting a current, and the 6 HP tohatsu sail pro was dangerously underpowered in my opinion....nowhere near hull speed.
Anyone try to fit a 9.9 high thrust?
Thanks!
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