During the sail on tack from Båly to Lista in southern Norway it was obvious that the ship was waether helm. The ship ought to balance when sailing on close hall so its neutral in relation to the rudder. If the weight is wrongly balanced in the ship the helmsman has to adjust the rudder constantly. This is not optimal for neither the sail or the helmsman.
When we began our voyage from Roskilde we had a full ballast in room 5 abaft the mast. In the first room in front of the mast we had water and in the second we had ballast in the bottom and equipment on top. The problem with water is that it is being drunk on the way and therefore it is important that it is placed in the ship so the balance of weight isn't disturbed. We have to accommodate 900 litres of water.
So before we crossed the North Sea we shifted the stone ballast abaft the mast to the room in front of the mast. Before the departure from Roskilde this room had been cleared of ballast to make space to as much water as possible. In the harbour of Lista we shifted the ballast from room 5 abaft the mast to the room in front of the mast and placed the water abaft instead. The ballast in the bottom of the rooms 8, 9 and 10 abaft the mast was shifted to room 2 in front of the mast, while the equipment that originally was placed here was placed abaft instead anywhere we were able to find some space.
It's of importance to get the ship more trimmed in front without the forebody getting to heavy. The Sea Stallion ought to be sailed without to much weight in both ends if you want a steady sail and be trimmed with the weight of the crew if needed in relation to the turnings. The ship is long and slim so weight in the ends will have a powerfull effect because of the long arm of weight.
After the weight adjustments the ship is in better balance, but still a bit waether helm, especially on port tack. This can be related to the friction of water against the rudder, especially at high speed. To be able to find the right balance the ship has to be tested more concerning tacking. If the ship continues being waether helm we have to take a look at the placement of the sail. The mast is leaning a bit forward, but will proberly take its place the next time shrouds and backstay are tighten. It's also a practicability to shift the tack corner a bit abaft to be able to get the centre of the sail more backwards.
When we are staying and wearing ship we have tried to move the crew forward to make the ship go faster against the wind and move the crew backwards to be able to fall off the wind more quickly. It's obviously helping, but it can't be used if half of the crew are sleeping, so it's still of importance that the ship "can take care of itself", so we are still trying to find the perfect balance between the hull and the sail.