Ballast

lead weigh
Originally uploaded by Phil_Parker.

How much lead does it take to get a Caldercraft Clyde Puffer down to the waterline ? About 4.5kg.

To work this out I have the advantage of being able to borrow my Mum’s scuba diving weights. These are nicely marked and come in 1kg sizes. Simply pile them into the hull until it’s at the right level and you know how much lead is required.

The final ballast was cut from sheet and weighed on some Anthony Worral Thompson scales. Not his own you understand as he’d doubtless moan about lead poisoning or something, but some cheapo one with his mugshot and imitation scribble on the outside. I assume that having the cookery elf grinning out of the box put people off, hence the bargain price for a very nice digital weighing machine.