Quote:
Originally Posted by GreatKetch
NO! That does not work. Adding weight to both the bow and the stern of a sailboat (or any boat for that matter) might keep it on a level water line, but you greatly increase the rotational momentum of the boat as it pitches in waves. The result of this is to greatly increase the amount of up and down pitching of the bow in heavy seas.
Weight belongs near the center of a boat, NOT near the ends.
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Through the 50s, 60s, and 70s the argument about distributed vs concentrated ballast raged, and the net result - that concentrated is better - is correct, but for exactly the opposite reason you mention GreatKetch.
Distributed ballast results in lower rotational momentum, but greater rotational inertia. So, the boat is wetter, goes through the wave rather than over, then continues its
pitch (or roll, or yaw) after the force is removed.
The whippy, increased momentum of concentrated ballast is faster, drier, and more likely to give the crew the heaves.