Weight Distribution

[Brerabit]

I’ve just taken delivery of my new Excel Volaire 3.9m and Mercury 20 Efi and thanks to suggestions on here, I’m all set to take it up to Scotland for a few days in two weeks for our first outing. Can’t wait…

On reading through the paperwork which came with the boat, it advises that if going out alone, to sit as far forward as possible. Perhaps I’m missing something but there is a limit to how far forward I can sit and still keep a hand on the tiller - which keeps me fairly close to the stern.

Should I get a tiller extension or take some ballast to even out the weight?

Apart from me (80kgs), a fuel tank, an anchor and a small rucksack, there would be no other significant weight in the boat on this trip.

[harrison]

Ooh nice.

Good news is the latest Merc with the fancy tiller is far longer than most tillers, so you should be ok without an extension.

To assist with weight distribution put fuel amidships and anchor bucket, spare fuel, kit etc. all up at the bow.

[Brerabit]

Thanks @Harrison sounds like a plan. There's a neat little arrangement for the fuel tank in front of the transom with a bonded in strap and protective sheet for under the tank. Do you think I should duplicate that because I've not got anything else to stop the tank sliding about. The floor has shallow longitudinal ribs (li-lo style) and the fabric has an embossed texture so contact with a hard plastic tank is sub-optimal.

[harrison]

Well if there’s a dedicated pad and strap use that to start with, it may be fine at the back. A 12l tank is not that heavy anyway, and you can carry spare fuel in a couple of 5l containers up near the bow or in the anchor bucket. If you have a 25l tank, perhaps just half fill it.

We use a flexi tub clipped to the lifting rings for anchor, spare fuel and kit. More kit can be placed in front and won’t slide back as retained by clipped in tub. You can get a fair bit of weight up front if needed.

Aldi flexi tub

[Brerabit]

Yes, it is only a 12L tank and the tub idea as adjustable ballast could work very well. The RD 390 is a bit wider than the T38 so it won't be such a nice snug fit but I can easily strap it in - Thanks

[chris moody]

In a normal sib with a bow, the builders flexi buckets are ideal. I always used one. However, now I have a boat with no front the flexi bucket looks silly so I use dry bags instead.

@Brerabit of your sib is wider use a pair of flexi buckets.

[Brerabit]

@Brerabit of your sib is wider use a pair of flexi buckets.

Or buy a bigger bucket!

Harrison is right about the tiller on the new Mariner / Mercury. I was lucky enough to ride with Harrison the other day in his T38 and I didn’t need a tiller extension at all.
On the older Mariner I need to use a 1ft tiller extension.

It is also worth sitting on the starboard side and tillering with your left hand. This is because the torque from the prop tries to twist the boat to anti-clockwise when viewed from the stern. I find I can only sit on the port tube when I have other people on board.

[Brerabit]

Thanks guys and really useful stuff that should help make my first venture memorable - for the right reasons