Ballast:
If you use inside ballast of any kind do not lump it in heaps along the keel; spread it out as much as possible over the bottom. It should be spaced in the middle half of the boat, leaving the ends empty. No rule can be laid down for placing weight in a boat; you must experiment and find out how much and where to put it. Remember, that too much ballast is as bad as too little.
Ballast, kinds of:
Inside ballast is either lead, iron or stone. There is no question but what stone is the best ballast, so far as the effect is concerned, and lead the worst. Lead has the advantage of being always worth its money, second-hand lead bringing nearly the same price as new. Old iron is of little or no value. Lead stows snugly and is clean. Iron is very dirty, and the rust from it is a nuisance. The disadvantage of stone is that you cannot secure it. Inside ballast should be secured so as not to shift in case the vessel gets on her side. Heavy ballast should rest on the frame and not on the plank.
Bilges:
The cause of many yachts smelling below is dirty bilges. They are never properly cleaned from one season to the other. Before putting the yacht in commission the bilges should be thoroughly searched, cleaned and washed out, all the limbers poked open so as to allow the water to flow to the pump well. If the boat does not leak enough to keep her bilges sweet, water should be poured in at least once a week and pumped out again. Don’t sweep dirt or other rubbish into the bilge; it is liable to get into the pump and choke it.
Gasolene pipes:
To make the joints of pipes carrying gasolene or kerosene tight use common yellow soap. These pipes if used to carry either of these fluids to a stove should be frequently examined, so as to prevent leakage. If gasolene leaks into the bilge, flood it with water and pump out before making any light below decks.
Lead line:
Keep your lead line where it can be instantly laid hands upon. For a small boat a five-fathom line is long enough, with an extra five that can be bent on in case of need. A three-pound lead is plenty heavy enough.