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Written by Calum Polwart
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Tuesday, 18 September 2007 |
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Weighing your dinghy is remarkably easier than it might sound. It involves some engineering physics - but the technical bits don't matter - as long as you can do the simple maths you should have no problems.
It really is this simple:
(If you are weigjing your boat for class rules measurement - you should do this with loose gear removed (eg sails, rudder etc. But fixed equipment - floor boards, centreboard in place)
- First you'll need some scales - standard bathroom scales will do the job just fine.
- Take your boat on its trailer +/- launch trolley to a flat hard surface (a driveway is usually fine.) Chock the trailer wheels.
- Sit the towball end of the trailer onto the scales - record the reading in kg.
- Mark the possition of the boat on the trailer.
- Now move the boat backwards on the trailer/launch trolley. You are only moving the boat here not the trailer/trolley. The further back you can move it the more accurate the measurement. Aim for 12-18".
- Measure the distance you've moved the boat back in cm
- Now record the weight reading on the scales (it should be less than before)
- Now measure the distance from the point touching the scales to the trailer axle, in cm.
Take the differnce in the two weights, multiply the difference by the distance from the scales to the trailer axle, and then divide by the distance you moved the boat on the trailer. The result should be a weight in kg, and you should expect a result of more than 63.9kg
The most sensitive part is the distance the boat moves backwards - so check this measurement carefully.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 September 2007 )
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Technical 
