Lead in bow.

[Warren Holybee]

I know several of you have already done it. But yesterday, I did a thing:

 

[DGA]

Is the lead there to balance out because the Perkins was heavier than designed for?

 

[Warren Holybee]

Supposedly. I honestly think that engineering back then wasn't good enough to know exactly how the boat would sit, and that the hull wasn't "designed" for a specific engine weight.
But certainly, once the first hull was in the water they decided they needed it.

Did the 383/4 have a different engine?

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Sonata, M383, 1982 came with Perkins 4-108. My understanding was it was lighter than the Yanmar or whatever other engine was used. But Sonata has no evidence of lead to balance. She does sit bow high, even with her bow water tank full.

 

[Warren Holybee]

I think all but the first few 382's also had the Perkin. Mine had a Perkins, since repowered, and has the lead. What does bow high even mean? You can paint the boot stripe wherever you need it. If I had to guess, lead was added to get it to sit as it was drawn, so it "looks" right. But sailboats usually sail better with less weight in the bow.

With a windlass/chain and water tank, it is probably about the same weight in a 383/4. I had 30 gallons of diesel and 10 gallons of water in jerry cans near the bow, and it really hurt sailing performance and comfort. So, getting rid of that weight is a good thing.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Yes, less weight in the boats ends is definitely very beneficial. This is one reason I went with the hybrid, chain and line rode. Less weight.
Sonata's bow waterline sits a few inches hi of actual.
We have kept extra fuel and water jugs at the rail, forward end of the cabin house too.
M

 

[jimcleary]

The Yanmar 3QM30F weighs 630lbs. Only the first 100 or so boats have that engine. The Perkins is much lighter. According to Ted Brewer the lead in the bow was to balance the boats with the heavier engine.

Jim

 

[Warren Holybee]

I have hull #256, which had the lighter Perkins, and had the lead in the bow. I am pretty sure all the 382s have the extra lead.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Warren, do you have plans for the removed lead? Or might it be available?
Mitchell

 

[Warren Holybee]

It's available.

 

[Mitchell S Allen]

Let's talk

 

[Warren Holybee]

Let's talk

Do you have my number? When will you be down this way next? Having no other place to put it, it's all back where it came from ..

 

[DGA]

The Yanmar 3QM30F weighs 630lbs. Only the first 100 or so boats have that engine. The Perkins is much lighter. According to Ted Brewer the lead in the bow was to balance the boats with the heavier engine.

Jim

My god.... An iron big block Chevrolet, a 454 V8, weighs 590 lbs. If that isn't enough reason to avoid a Yanmar, I'm not sure what is.