[MHml] 2 boats and a plan

[Bill Gibbs]

I am now the proud owner of a 2nd catamaran, the deal went through this
morning.  A Supercat 19 by Boston Whaler circa 1981.  It's in great shape
for being 25 years old. Amazing what being stored out of the sun will do.  
 
I immediately drove it to my harbor's launch ramp where I met with a group
of friends for static load testing.  I wanted to measure freeboard (bow,
main beam, aft beam) under different loads, simulating the motor, motor plus
fuel, various squat vectors, etc.  We looked pretty funny.  At one point we
had four people straddling the bow hulls (fuel load), another couple on the
main beam (the motor weight) as spectators were wondering what we were doing
with this seriously bow down attitude, as we measured moment arm lengths and
freeboard from the dock.
 
No surprises.  A SC 19 is 19 feet long and carries the main beam 8' back
from the bow, a mast forward beachcat.  This is probably pretty close to the
center of buoyancy as well, with the hull tapering up as you move aft.  Not
a lot of reserve buoancy in the sterns.  But overall, she has a lot of
buoyancy compared to other cats.  We had 1200 pounds on her and she'd carry
a lot more with proper weight distribution.
 
Someone suggested trailering loads might be the hardest on the boat.  It is
a concern.  Fuel and motor will do with some additional support from the
trailer.
It all seems doable.
 
So far so good.
 
Which reminds me of the story of the man who jumped off the very tall
building...
At each floor he was heard saying "so far, so good"    :-)
 
Bill
Afterburner
 
 
 
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