Wow, that's quite a saga. My boat, hull number WSSK02961074 (late 1974 hull with lead ballast) floats about 2-3 degrees down by the bow with half-full fuel tanks and two anchor rodes forward, each with 30 feet of chain and 250 feet of rope. I have a 40# Bruce and a 35# CQR. Oh, and I also have the SS bowsprit and boomkin.
The bobstay fitting is clear of the water by about 2 inches and the waterline aft is about 4-5 inches above the water. Filling the fuel tanks makes a slight bit of difference, but I attributed the difference to having replaced the old Volvo MDII with a new Betamarine BV1505, which I'm told is over 100# lighter.
Since the Caribbean is in my future I'm contemplating adding a 200 foot chain rode for anchoring in coral/rock conditions and storing it in the void below the lazarette. I have a cover on the access with wing nuts on the upper corners and it would be a simple addition with a new small "floor" to the locker. I'm hoping that the added weight will restore the trim. -Tom Koehl
