I’m flummoxed,
Our NS26C has always had a 1 degree list to port.
The P.O. has 200 KG of hunting lead shot in the Starboard aft quarter that we liberated.
Seems this may have been a correction for the problem.
So, the obvious…tank reservoir bias:
I have a full fuel tank (port) and a full fresh water tank to starboard.
Port fresh water empty, grey water (more methane than solids..adding a hydrogen loft).
Is there a commonality of this left leaning bias in the fleet, or do I need to search deeper?
Our 1982 #50 26C also list slightly to port. I will try to reorganize lockers etc and keep heavy stuff on the starboard side. Stove and fridge can not be moved. Pots and pans are under the stove and in the oven so that is an issue.
I usually try to use the port water tank first to help. When both tanks are full the cockpit slopes a little forward and the drains do not always get all the water.
Oh well, more things to do." Nothing quite so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats." ( Ratty from Wind in the willows.)
I recall that from when I had my 26C, haven’t checked on my 26U.
Since I tried to keep both water tanks full and the holding tank empty, I always attributed it to the stove having no counterweight on starboard, but can’t say I ever worried much about it.
– Bob
Me Gusta, N26U #233
formerly Solar Wind, N26C #143
Half-full diesel tank (port quarter berth), full water tanks (port and starboard settees), and a nearly empty holding tank (starboard quarter berth). It’s slightly worse since I replaced the old toilet with a lighter Jabsco unit.
I have my tool boxes, spare parts, and a spare anchor locked in the starboard lazarette because they are heavy. That helps a bit but she still leans. With the forward weighting of #35 and the port list, the port cockpit seat collects rain, pollen, and other things that fall from the sky. However, from a glass-half-full perspective, the starboard cockpit seat drains nicely
I’m still discovering things left behind after the previous owner passed. He was an amazing fellow. I feel like I get to know him more each time I visit the boat.
Working back from the bow: the anchor rides is probably centred. Do you have uneven weight in the forward lockers? Water tanks under each berth should cancel each other out. What do you store behind the berths and on the shelves? Can you shift heavy items to starboard? If you have a porcelain toilet it will weigh the same or more than the oven. The big ticket item will likely be the fuel tank vs the holding tank. Diesel is about 7 pounds per U.S. gallon so at 24 gallons a full tank weighs in at 168 pounds. The holding tank empty will weigh about the same as the empty fuel tank. How are your batteries arranged? Can you move heavy stuff from the port cockpit locker to the starboard?
Everything on a boat should have at least two purposes. 440 pounds of lead weight in a locker does meet that criteria. If all else fails buy more beer and store it on the starboard side. Buy enough to level the boat. As the beer supply is run down the holding tank will fill continuing to keep the boat level.
I’m not sure what surface you are measuring the 1 degree list from. Ill try to measure the level of the cabin sole when it goes into the water.
There is always a little puddle on the port forward corner of the port side cockpit seat. Not on Stbd.
The boat definitely is down at the bow according to the boot stripe. This is likely caused by a heavier than designed mast.
I have not worried about any list before - it changes with the tanks and where you sit - and which way the wind is blowing.
Note to self: Beer cures all ills!
I love Mark’s practical answer.
To answer the offered questions…yes, we’ve gone through every locker to put everything of weight to starboard.
While we don’t have an oven, we do have 2 fridges and a lot of extra teak around them that serves as a kitchen extension in our port stern quarter. I’d hoped that an empty port water tank would have compensated.
It is what it is…and sounds like it’s a “known bias” that we will correct in other ways…
Mark’s idea of (perhaps 5 + cases of “emergency beer”) in the starboard cubby behind the settee cushions sounds like a win-win to me.
Thanks to all in confirming this common eccentricity, and the practical, cheap and easy correction.
Joe, on a conventional sloop, this can be caused by the mast not being evenly and properly tuned. On a Nonsuch it could be the mast is not centered vertically. If out a 1/4 inch at the step could be several inches out at top of mast. Also if the keel is not evenly faired. And if you have a fixed, not folding prop, could be caused depending on where blades end up when engine is shut down.
Don
I wandered down to the boat this morning, and as usual there was a little puddle on the forward part of the port cockpit seat. I thought about the rigging spar bias Don mentions above…
Our boom is normally centred on the boat in the slip with 2 lines going to each aft cleat.
Releasing that, I swung the boom to starboard with the clew right over the attachment point of the lifeline gate.
Coincidentally the lifeline is the perfect length to go through the main sheet boom block and return to secure on the point of origin…so simple…and PRESTO…the boat is centred and the puddle drained…
