Weight Of Boat

[freedom44]

I have been asked by the boatyard where I hope to store my boat this winter what she weighs as there is a 12 ton limit on the crane. The “design” weight, ie the one in the brochure etc is 10 ton. Does this assume that the tanks are empty and no sails nor other stuff on board. If I take off the obvious heavier items and drain the water tanks, would you reckon that a 20% margin is reasonable?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[pyrojames]

Probably. My design weight is just over 16, and she measured 19.3 last time on the crane with empty water tanks, but all the other junk on board.

 

[Twister_Ken]

The literature always quotes dry weight - no stores, standard equipment and not even a packet of biccies.

 

[Tranona]

Probably marginal. Typical cruising gear adds between 1.5 and 2 tons to the dry weight - which is probably not accurate from the brochure anyway. Fuel and water are of course the biggest two items. Full water and fuel on my 6.3 tonne boat adds .45 tonne.

So emptying tanks is a good idea, but you would be surprised how quickly all the other bits add up. Unfortunately no way of being certain beforehand, but suspect you might hear the overload bell as they lift her. All you can do is give the yard the information you have and leave the decision to them.

 

[r_h]

The literature always quotes dry weight - no stores, standard equipment and not even a packet of biccies.

...and that assumes the boat was built down to the designed weight. Few builders weigh the materials that go into a boat, although I concede it's becoming more common these days as the cost of materials relative to labour increases. That's the reason that people who race cruiser/racers competitively pay to have their boats weighed: the saving on their handicap is easily worth the cost.

That said, it's rare that the structure of a boat will weigh more than 15% more than its designed displacement.

 

[DJE]

Is she floating on the waterline shown in the brochure?

 

[freedom44]

Weight of boat

Thanks for your answers. I'll strip all I can off her and see!