Sterling 28 |Forum|Twister Class Association

I received the e-mail below and felt it appropriate to post it. I'd be interested in any answers. I have given a brief one below. 

 I am in the process of having a Holman Sterling 28 done up, and I have a question about ballast trim.   There are  30 odd ballast lead pigs, and I am trying to work out i) whether they are needed ii) how best to trim the boat so she sails as well as possible.    I am not sure whether your Association extends to Sterlings, which are of course very similar but not quite the same, or whether you have members who might have experience of trimming Twisters, but would be grateful for any thoughts your members might have.

 Thanks

 William Bourne

I'm sure that most, if not all, are needed otherwise they wouldn't be there. The general rule with Twisters is to keep them as light as possible and keep weight out of the ends. Relating to Twisters the only advice I can give is that there is a tendency [particularly for cruising boats with much kit aboard] for the stern to be lower in the water than ideal. I'd start packing from forward. When you look at the ballast it may be that you will see some organisation by shape or size; the ballast must not sit on the planks but on the frames. You may get some clue if you inspect closely. There may be some chocks for the ballast to rest on.

Peter Mulville