Moving weight aft

[Mikey]

There was a lengthy discussion about weight distribution on the 31. Seems the consensus was that moving weight aft (if possible) would improve the angle of attach at cruise and therefore improve speed and fuel economy. My question is, if this is true, why not move the batteries to the area behind the rear engine compartment bulkhead? Put them on either side of the tank.
I have Cabrera's decks which gives me broad access to that area.
What do we think of that?
Mikey

[Harv]

Mikey,

Moving weight aft seems appropriate, however, when dealing with the batteries and other weight distribution, keep in mind that the more weight you remove from the centerline of the boat and move outboard will increase rocking and rolling. keeping weight centered and deeper in the hull will act to dampen the rolling effect.

[Terry Frank]

Mikey,

The two people who have the right answer for this question are Capt. Patrick and Mike Ohlstein. I seem to remember that when Mike repowered with the Yanmars he put 1000 lbs of lead in the bilge. If I recall it was somewhere near the front of the engines.

Br,

Terry