Ballast placement

[NCSUmoomba]

All, does ballast placement relative to the centerline of the boat affect the stability of the boat? For example, would 500# of lead/steel shot in the bilge of a DD boat along the keel line be more stable than 500# of fat sacs on the floor on the sides of the engine box? I am thinking about the formula for torque = force x lever arm, but I am not sure if this applies here. Thoughts? My Outback is kind of tippy when riders cut out hard.

[NCSUmoomba]

Anybody have any thoughts?

[kaneboats]

I believe it was the infamous EdG not long ago who noted that sand or other solid ballast will sink you while water in your sacs will only swamp you. After a loss I would not want to face my insurer if I was caught adding lead to my boat to weigh her down.

[NCSUmoomba]

Yeah, I know about the water being neutrally bouyant. I run anywhere from 1200-1600 pounds of fat sacs in my boat and have had no trouble. I was just thinking about swapping some of that weight for some solid ballast to get some of the weight down low and along the keel.