Ballast in tar

[Sophies]

I’m in negotiations to buy a steel Motorsailer- it’s has a ballast of stone ballast in tar . What do people think about this method of ballasting a 37 foot motor sailer with a comparatively large rig?

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Sophies

I’m in negotiations to buy a steel Motorsailer- it’s has a ballast of stone ballast in tar . What do people think about this method of ballasting a 37 foot motor sailer with a comparatively large rig?

Hey, essentially it has worked for centuries so why not?

[Sylph VI]

Originally Posted by Sophies

I’m in negotiations to buy a steel Motorsailer- it’s has a ballast of stone ballast in tar . What do people think about this method of ballasting a 37 foot motor sailer with a comparatively large rig?

Actually, from past experience with owning a 28 ft steel hulled sloop, ballast in tar or pitch is not such a great idea. Water will seep between the hull and the tar and cause corrosion, which is then very difficult to repair. Ideally, the ballast needs to be sealed in somehow, preferably with steel plates welded over the top.
Also, stone is not very dense so I would want a look at the boat's stability curves if they are available, though for a motor sailor this might not be as critical.
No doubt there are others with better qualifications than I who might have better advice. Did you get the boat surveyed?

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[NBs]

Hi,

seems like a rather special solution, I hope they stay in place and sometimes an excessive downward shift of center of gravity can also make the boat uncomfortably swaying, but can also improve stability.

NBs

[Orion Jim]

What will keep the ballast from shifting at an extreme heeling angle? Ballast stones set in tar just doesn’t sound like a secure method. What did the naval architect actually specify in the plans? This sounds like a cost saving measure.

[Sophies]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Hey, essentially it has worked for centuries so why not?

Thank you

[Sophies]

It’s not clear as it’s a Alan pape design home built, plans are lost to mists time . my surveyor has done a lot of head scratching. But essentially seems like a good boat.

[Sophies]

Thank you ☺️