Mike Denest

My Feedback: (1)

Fellas,

I have this Sterling kit and I'm looking at it to build this winter. The plans show or say nothing about adding ballast so is there a rule of thumb regarding ballasting? Or should I just locate the water line and start filling it with lead shot? Or, lacking that, designing a removable external weight. [sm=confused.gif]

Mike

LtDoc

Mike,
I'm not familiar with the Sterling kit, but ballasting is basically the same for any boat. Determine the waterline, then add enough weight so that the boat sits 'right'. Doesn't much matter if you use a keel or not (just makes a difference on where the weight is, but 'lower' is 'better').
- 'Doc

jhwhitesu52

[8D]Hi Mike. I have a Sterling model Kingfish B24 that has a lead keel supplied and just about every thing else supplied. I happened to see a Sterling America for sail the other day and was wondering if your kit came with everything else, (execpt ballast), sail material, hardware etc. Good luck with building. I'm looking forward to building my B24, but mostly sailing. Thanks

E.Waterman

My Feedback: (5)

is sterling still in buisiness, i'm just wondering. because the other day i was going through some of my father's stuff and found a sterling king fish kit . i think the date on it was '73.

thanx

jhwhitesu52

Sterling is no longer in business. The America kit I saw was on E-bay. The B24 Kingfish kit came from E-bay. Thanks

Mike Denest

My Feedback: (1)

Hi,
I haven't re-opened the box but from what I can remember, it is complete with sail cloth (dacron), fittings and other stuff but no lead. I've read the plan notes thoroughly and can find nothing on ballasting. I'll probably use lead shot and pour it with epoxy resin. However, from experience, I can see that with such a shallow draft and lots of sail area, the boat will be very tender in anything over 5 knots of wind. So, maybe and extended keel is in order. I'll try ballasting the boat in the bathtub/pool prior to sailing.

RobStagis

Well, it's sort of a 'fat' boat anyway. Build and waterproof the hull, chuck most of the gear into the right places, then start adding weight. You might be surprised hoe much it'll take. Remember that poured lead will be lower and denser than lead shot.

Alternatives, after ballasting (or maybe before) would be a lead 'shoe' along the outside of the keel, though that'll detract from maneuverability, or a detachable fin keel. Have fun