Boat Ballast

[The Franklins]

We are looking at second hand narrow boats for sale, one that we really like has ballast blocks underneath the sofa bed in the saloon. Is this normal, or does it mean the boat has a problem?

[Phil Ambrose]

No, I have ballast under my units on one side of my galley.

Phil 

[WotEver]

Perfectly normal. 

[Fender151]

I have bed ballast on top of the bed, tis the reason I insist she sleeps on the right !

and hope to god she doesn't have a CWF login !!!

[Sea Dog]

1 hour ago, Fender151 said:

I have bed ballast on top of the bed, tis the reason I insist she sleeps on the right !

and hope to god she doesn't have a CWF login !!!

Passengers and crew aren't usually counted as ballast. If your missus reads this though, as deadweight you may be a different proposition! 

[OldGoat]

2 hours ago, The Franklins said:

We are looking at second hand narrow boats for sale, one that we really like has ballast blocks underneath the sofa bed in the saloon. Is this normal, or does it mean the boat has a problem?

The above would be not enough to ballast the whole boat - but (hopefully) are where they are to adjust the trim - so 'quite normal'.  I got my ballasting - fitted out on dry land- so adjusted the trim with lead offcuts. 

 

(no church was harmed in the process)

Edited September 18, 2017 by OldGoat