More on the movable ‘fish ballast’ idea proposed by Australian farmer and inventor Nico Sieling.

1The ballast is moved to windward on a vertical shaft inside the main keel.

2You would move the ballast bulb by a means of a pulley at the top and a vertical capstan and worm drive, which can be driven by a winch handle or electric motor.

3The bulb swings through 180° when you tack – you’d have to engage a clutch to stop it where you wanted

4A refined design is for bearings that allow a fish-shaped bulb to be rotated through 360°, so it could also move fore and aft to trim the boat.

I can imagine a few hitches with this idea, but if you’d like to know more you can contact Nico Sieling through his website www.rotacon . And check out that badass stumpgrinder.

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