Malabar Jr. lead keel

[gvido]

I know that this issue was debated in depth in one of the earliest threads, but I believe the premises were different (racing boat transformed to cruising boat).

Just got the quotation from the foundry for pouring the iron keel for Malabar Jr. Needless to say, it's prohibitive. The people at Alden Designs, say that I may replace iron with lead provided that I scale the keel appropriately. They also suggested to increase the weight from original 1500kg to 1800kg, and reduce the inner ballast accordingly.

So, what do you think about the idea:
same boat, same use (cruising), but lead instead of iron.

Regards,

Gvido

[kc8pql]

I'd rather have lead than iron. With lead you can use bronze keel bolts and never worry about corrosion.

[Don Kurylko]

Which Malabar Junior are you building? According to the book of Alden Designs, all the variations of the Jr. had keels weighing 4800 lbs (2182 kg). Perhaps you are building a version of design number 243 called “Little Warrior” which has an iron keel weighing 3400 lbs (1545 kg). This was the precursor to the Malabar Juniors.

Malabar Jr. number 762 was designed with a lead keel, which is shown on page 127 of the book. This may be of use to you in designing a new keel for your boat. Remember, it is important to maintain the same longitudinal centre of gravity as the original iron keel if you are going to preserve the overall LCG of the design. “Skeene’s Elements of Yacht Design” has the calculations necessary to help you achieve this.

[George Ray]

If you change to lead and did nothing else the boat will be stiffer and 'snappier'. The roll rate will be quicker. Removing internal ballast will solve that as would adding a bit of weight up high such as on deck. ?need a bigger windlass?. It is possible that the trim will be changed slightly but a shift of a small amount of internal ballast should solve that. Over ballasted "snappy" is harder on the people and on the rig but it does not sound like you are doing anything really radical and besides, most folks don't complain when their boat gets a little bit stiffer.

good luck

[gvido]

Thanks for comments.


Which Malabar Junior are you building? According to the book of Alden Designs, all the variations of the Jr. had keels weighing 4800 lbs (2182 kg). Perhaps you are building a version of design number 243 called “Little Warrior” which has an iron keel weighing 3400 lbs (1545 kg). This was the precursor to the Malabar Juniors.

Yes it's number 243. I wanted a "true classic" with gaff and all.


If you change to lead and did nothing else the boat will be stiffer and 'snappier'.


Sorry George, what do you mean by 'snappier'?

Gvido

[George Ray]

An underballasted boat (top heavy) will have a slow roll. You might find it smooth and comfortable or you might be scared to death that the vessel will keep on rolling and just turn over/sink.

An overballasted vessel will have a quicker roll. In the extreme it might be said to "snap the fillings out of your teeth". ... SNAPPY!
I have never been on a vessel that was obviously overballasted, but have read about such things.

[orphan314]

gvido, casting a lead ballast keel is very low tech. I've done my own up to twelve thousand pounds without any machinery to speak of. I'll do yours for $4000 total if you can get up to southern maine to fetch it.

[Dave Gray]

I think Gvido is in Slovenia so it may be a long ways to lug a lead keel.

[gvido]

gvido, casting a lead ballast keel is very low tech. I've done my own up to twelve thousand pounds without any machinery to speak of. I'll do yours for $4000 total if you can get up to southern maine to fetch it.

Thanks orphan314, but as Dave said, there are three seas between myplace and Maine (Adriatic, Mediterranean, Atlanit).

Gvido

[katiedobe]

Hey, Gvido, have you got any photos you can post of your boat? I would love to see the work.