best balast material

[dwarrick]

I have a 98 Mariah 260 cruiser our boat has a hard list to Stbd I feel because the AC was added<br />to this side it weighs about 60 lbs. With my water tank full whish is on the port side and an empty waste holding tank<br />on the stbd side it sits level. However when the waste tank starts to fill it leans hard to stbd. I have very limited <br />space to add any bulky weights any suggestions? I thought of using Divers soft weights but that would cost a fortune at<br />about 7 bucks for 5 lb weight of lead shot.

 

[crab bait]

Re: best balast material

mite want to add some kind of tank that can be filled with water via a hose , pump ( bildge pump ) or valve.. so you add water weight as needed.. then throw a reverse switch an pump out water as needed..

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: best balast material

Excellent idea Crab..two sorta small 12 gal fuel tanks converted to water with a water puppy, double "Y" valve to pump between the two, one starboard and one port, 'bout 100 lb transfer left to right or visa versa.....'course..nice set of external trim tabs would work for underway too........

 

[Solittle]

Re: best balast material

When you get a couple of bucks in your pocket give some thought to trim tabs.

 

[Mumblerone]

Re: best balast material

I'm surprised that a boat that size would be so sensitive to 60 pounds. Are you sure that's the problem? Could you be taking on water someplace. Strange things happen on the water.

 

[dwarrick]

Re: best balast material

Thanks for all of the suggestions the boat has done this since day one I have just been putting it off. The boat does have trim tabs so when I am on the move this fixes the list without issue. It is just when the boat is sitting in the slip or at rest It is just a balance of weight issue. My biggest issue is space when Mariah said equipped like no other they were not kidding but there is no space for water tanks. Both of my holding tanks are stainless steel 20 gallon tanks they take up the majority of my engine room the batteries are behind one tank. On the other side is the water heater is behind the other one there is about 6 inches of space in front of the tanks. one side has wiring and plumbing. the other side is the fresh water pump. <br /><br />But I think I found a solution and am planing on testing it next weekend I will let you know how it goes.