Sandbags for Ballast?

[flienlow]

I have heard of folks using lead weights, and Water for ballast, but does anyone use sandbags? Sand weighs close to twice as much as water per Cubic foot. I imagine it would a PIA loading and unloading, however curiosity has got the best of me.

[Stazi]

Imagine if a sand bag tears? If it happened to me I would be beyond pissed!


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[c h r i s]

I have heard of folks using lead weights, and Water for ballast, but does anyone use sandbags? Sand weighs close to twice as much as water per Cubic foot. I imagine it would a PIA loading and unloading, however curiosity has got the best of me.

Yes I have. They are a pain in the ass. And they are dirty, and hold moisture. But a cheap and viable option if you're trying to dial your system in before committing to a more permanent solution. I'm now using some of mine as trailer stops in my storage unit and cursing the others I keep tripping over

[padge]

I wouldn't want anything other than water ballast if it were me


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[jmvotto]

Water all the way. ,lead a little to tweak some weight
Would not use lead or hard weight over 10 % of the overall ballast

[Stazi]

Water all the way. ,lead a little to tweak some weight
Would not use lead or hard weight over 10 % of the overall ballast

Agreed. Lead doesn't float. At least water equalizes, so in the event of a near capsizing, you boat would stand a fighting chance.


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[kaneboats]

Try explaining to your insurance company that you purposely put lead weight in your boat but did not intend to sink it. Hmmm.

[trayson]

I have heard of folks using lead weights, and Water for ballast, but does anyone use sandbags? Sand weighs close to twice as much as water per Cubic foot. I imagine it would a PIA loading and unloading, however curiosity has got the best of me.

In my old boat, I actually used concrete. But honestly, for the space it takes up, it wasn't worth it. I did have a couple spots under the gas tank in my direct drive that were the perfect size for a bag of concrete. so I put 2 bags in as permenent ballast. But that is only about 60 pounds each I think. It looked like I was smuggling drugs.


but bottom line, no, i wouldn't use sand bags. no way, no how. Lead would be the only thing I'd consider and I don't even use that. 100% water ballast for me. 3500 to 4000 pounds of it.

[mattsask]

Steel and lead are a way better option than sand. They weigh like 7x more than water. Like others have said though, I wouldn't go too crazy with hard weight.

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[sandm]

was at the 2012 polar bear. sat in the parking lot saturday night and helped scotty from sanger unload 1500lbs of lead out of a 237 so he could trailer the boat wherever home was.
took 30 minutes to unload and carry to the truck and that was enough to cure me from ever using lead. it would suck to have to unload/load it for each trip.
water ftw...