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How ya' gonna keep her upright when the wind blows?

There are four options here: one is not viable and one is a major health risk and potential for severe injury. There has been considerable research into the design and placement of ballast. You need to pick the option which best suits your needs:

Purchase a ballast with the boat

Purchase a ballast along with the hull. Most manufacturers offer a ballast as an accessory. The pro's are you generally can save a couple bucks and the combination in freight adds to the savings. The con's are the ballast they offer may not be the most competitive one available.

Each manufacturer has put together his own deal on the 15+ lbs of lead need in the basement of these things. The economies of being to satisfy the majority of their customers dictate the ballast style and design they offer. Best to ask him.

Buy an aftermarket ballast

Since the hull shape is strictly controlled by the class, it is relatively easy for a person who doesn't make hulls to make and supply a ballast that will fit in the boat. Advantages are they have done considerably work and design on coming up with the optimal ballast. Some offer various designs, based on your needs.

The only drawback may be due to manufacturing tolerances in either the ballast or the hull, they may not fit as tightly (or maybe too tight) as you'd like. EC12 racing is a combination of a lot of little things. If we can improve the ballasting by 1/2 of one percent, that may be just enough to help you win that one time it is so critical.

Some say, don't nit-pick. You be the judge, there are some good ones available.

Pictures from the Carr Web site. Great Ballasts!

If you order one, here's pictures of what you'll get

Pour your own

This assures that every little nook and cranny is filled. But it provides a whole bunch of problems (challenges).

	What design is going to be best?
	How do I install dams to keep the lead where I want it?
	Where do I get lead?
	Do you have the skills and experience to pour molten metal and not injure yourself or others?
	Do you have access to a float tank for the pouring?
	Do you have some extra braincells you're willing to sacrifice? Breathing lead fumes is not a healthy practice.
	Am I qualified and have the equipment to melt and pour lead?

If you'd like to see more about pouring your own, look at what's involved: Pour Party

One person has worked on a removeable ballast. Details here

Built up

Years ago, it was the practice to fill the keel with birdshot combined with wax or epoxy to hold it in place. This will make a floatable boat but the density of the final keel will be so much less than one of pure lead, your chances of having a competitive boat are slim to non.

If you're making a display model, maybe it will help hold the mast and sails vertical. If you're making a boat for competition, rule this approach out.

Updated: 10/10/2007