[Rhodes22-list] Level on Board

[Bill Effros]

For $3.69 I bought a 6 inch level at a job lot outlet, and brought it 
out to the harsh marine environment.  The data yielded so far by the 
instrument have been interesting.

Water weighs roughly 8 lbs. per gallon.  Gas weighs roughly 6 lbs. per 
gallon.

I carry 2 3-gallon gas tanks under the port seat -- 36 pounds when full.

My fresh water tank is 15 gallons (I think) but overflows when heeling 
when full, so I try to keep it less than full.  Maximum Weight 120 
pounds on starboard side.

My waste tank is ... 10 gallons?  80 pounds maximum on port side.

I generally carry 2 2 1/2-gallon portable water tanks under the cockpit 
seats--40 lbs.

I leave some water in my bilge.

All of these fluids are constantly changing.

So I've got roughly 250 pounds (effective maximum) down to an effective 
minimum of roughly 100 pounds of fluids on board most of the time.

Remember that moving 100 pounds of anything from the low side to the 
high side has the same effect on the boat as a 200 pound person sitting 
on the high side.

Placing the level on the companionway entrance, both port to starboard 
and bow to stern, I find I can easily balance the boat in both 
directions with me standing or sitting near the companionway.  I wish my 
house was as level as I can make the boat.

The "lines" on the exterior of the boat are not level.  They make it 
appear the boat is bow heavy when it is actually level.

As soon as I and the boat start moving, everything changes.  I move my 
level to a position in the cockpit near me to see how I am doing.

I start from a roughly level boat by moving things around.  Once sailing 
I can keep the boat roughly level by altering the balance of the sails.

I find I can gain at least 1/2 knot in boat speed by keeping the boat 
roughly level.  Upright the boat doesn't "feel" as fast as when it is 
heeled and there is a lot of pressure--but you go faster.  Moving sails 
in (IMF and Roller Furling) also will speed up the boat if you keep it 
balanced.  (I know this is counter-intuitive, but try it.  You will be 
surprised.  Reduce sail for better balance, go faster.)

Since I start with a balanced boat, it is fairly easy to keep it 
balanced all the time.  I will be taking people out with me this 
weekend, and I will ask them to move around in the boat trying to keep 
it balanced.   I'm sure we'll go faster, and there will be fewer 
unexpected "wind shifts" if they help to keep the boat balanced.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Bill Effros