Ballast Weight Calculator
Calculate ballast requirements for vessel trim, stability, and wake enhancement
Degrees
Ballast Requirements
Recommended Ballast
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Volume Required
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Placement
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Draft Change
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% of Displacement
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Tank Dimensions (if water)
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Fill Time (500 GPH pump)
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Ballast Material Properties
| Material | Density | Cu Ft per 100 lbs |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Water | 62.4 lb/cu ft | 1.60 |
| Salt Water | 64.0 lb/cu ft | 1.56 |
| Lead Shot | 710 lb/cu ft | 0.14 |
| Steel | 490 lb/cu ft | 0.20 |
| Concrete | 150 lb/cu ft | 0.67 |
Ballast Guidelines
Safety Considerations
Never exceed manufacturer's maximum weight capacity. Account for passengers, fuel, and gear.
Ballast should be securely fixed to prevent shifting. Loose ballast is extremely dangerous.
Water ballast tanks must have proper venting to prevent pressure buildup or implosion.
Placement Tips
Trim correction: Place ballast opposite the heavy end (bow heavy = stern ballast).
Stability: Lower is better. Place ballast as low as possible in the hull.
Wake sports: Asymmetric ballast for surfing (heavy side creates bigger wake on opposite side).