Neptune 24 Sails better with more weight!

Posted By: Irwin
Date: 6/11/07 9:52a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: OK! Here's my way of thinking about it! (Shane Wallace, Neptune 24)

Hey! I had 5 adults on a day sail this weekend on my Neptune 24 and found that the boat seems to sail better with more weight! There was a 15 knot wind and 3-4 ft. waves and with the added weight of the 5 adults (2 on the rail, 2 sitting on the top of the cabin, and me in the cockpit) it pounded less and obviously heeled less with everyone on the high side. Trim felt better too. I was sailing with a 130 and full main. The only concern i had is that when most of us were in the cockpit my bilge pump outlet (about 3 inches above the waterline) was totally submerged and made me a little uneasy. I was thinking that possibly the boat is designed to be sailed with a full water tank in the v birth which would add some leverage. (mine is empty. How much does 50 gal of water weigh?) Or has anyone added some ballast to help with the balance of the boat? Overall though it was a great sail, there was enough room and i had no leaks from the bilge pump outlet being submerged. Just curious if anyone else had this problem? How did you solve it? -Irwin