Pitch Control through Ballast shifting

[redboat219]

I would like to hear the wizards opinion on using ballast shifting as an alternative to using the dive planes for pitch control.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

A fools errand.

David,

[RonP-UK]

Couldnt agree more David, When underway the effect of ballast shifting is minimal and the dynamics of the boat have far more effect, in the early days of developing the old Salcon I had a tank fail, it filled up with water but due to a duff switch it wouldnt empty, so surface trim was nose up like a bloody fishing float, but as soon as she was underway she picked her bum up, levelled off and still gave me a days sailing.
How much ballast shift is that?

[Slats]

I would like to hear the wizards opinion on using ballast shifting as an alternative to using the dive planes for pitch control.

Why would youy want to when stern plane pitch controllers do such a great job?

[Subculture]

Suppose it depends on if you have any stern planes.

Ballast shifting works well at low speed, beyond that it's ineffective.

I've seen it used very effectively in a 1/32nd scale Holland, and also on some robotic fish.