What kind of lead for ballast?

prestige · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 133 City: Kelowna

For those people who use lead for ballast, what kind do you use and where do you get it?

I would think lead bars or solid weights would not do well to be banging around on the boat.

Bags of lead shot would be easy to store and move around.

I've seen posts for leadheadz (shipping to canada - gulp?)
and melting down lead from used tires (gulp again)?

llenta · Addict Joined: 22 Jul 2003 Posts: 788 City: Davis

i have two different types of lead for my boat. I have 60 pound bars and 10 pound bars. Both weigh down the boat and neither of them move around when driving. The only difference is how long it takes to put them in place before and after we are done because it isn't something you want in your boat when you trailer it. It doesn't matter what kind of lead you buy, just make sure it is coated in rubber or some other kind of material.
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CALIFORNIA MDECIAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

MadDog · Soul Rider Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 465 City: Upstate NY

I use lead weight from a tire shop. Got them for free, filled up some 1 gallon plastic (on the border frozen margarita) conainers, add some sand to fill up the empty space. Easy to move around, don't have to worry about melting, and it was all free. I am also thinking of getting some 4" pvc and filling those the same way, put caps on the ends just to have some smaller containers for a few spots on the boat.

jvanick · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 11:32 am Post subject:

I've had no problems melting the lead and it makes a much denser, smaller package.

I've got some tricks that I use so I can melt it into a pvc pipe and not have the pvc pipe melt. A 3" PVC pipe about 16 inches long weighs in at about 50 pounds.

and they're a perfect size to stuff under the front seats.

I haven't had a problem with them moving or rolling around, they pretty much stay where you put them.

The trick to melting lead into the pvc pipe is to wrap the pvc in the foil tape you use for chimneys... works great...

-J

Zach M · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 1:38 pm Post subject:

I don't want to worry with melting the lead. I went to a 2 different tire shops to get their used tire weights. I bought 170 lbs at the first for $17 (10 cents a lb). I knew the owner at the second place and he gave me 270 more for free. We stuffed 4 inch pipe with them and capped them off at the ends. Also, we took visquene and poured 50 lbs on to it. We then created a bag and completely sealed it with duct tape. The fit perfectly under the seats. We've got 450 lbs right now, we might add another 100 lbs or so under the seats.

Sportster4Tec · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 1:40 pm Post subject:

The only bad thing about lead is you have to take it out to trailer the boat so if you add a ton its a lot of trouble to fool with.

Ralph · Posted: Aug 27, 2003 3:20 pm Post subject:

Are you sure you need to take the lead out to trailer? Surely a few 100 pounds wouldn't be a big deal, its just like a tank of gas.

wakejunky · Outlaw Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 147 City: Cal.

Are you sure you're using BOAT specific lead? You should only use lead specifically designed for use on a boat because of the water contact the lead may disengrate. Laughing

Chris

takin' names · Newbie Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 5 City: Houston, TX

I used some three inch solid steel rod. Cut it into two foot pieces, put that inside three inch PVC (so it would not tear up the boat) and capped the ends. Each one weighs in at 50 pounds, and I have ten of them. I even drilled holes in the ends of the caps and tied rope to them for handles so I can carry two at a time. Works great.