Where to purchase lead/composite for ballast in Victoria, Australia?

Discussion in 'Motorsailers' started by tomjack78, Sep 1, 2019.

  1. tomjack78
    Joined: Sep 2019
    Posts: 1
    Likes: 0, Points: 1
    Location: Victoria

    tomjack78 New Member

    I'm building a 35 foot motor sailer and need to buy two tons of composite lead for ballast. Anyone know where in Victoria I can purchase this? Thanks in advance.
     
  2. TeddyDiver
    Joined: Dec 2007
    Posts: 2,614
    Likes: 136, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 1650
    Location: Finland/Norway

    TeddyDiver Gollywobbler

    Composite lead? Easily available lead you find from shooting ranges for air guns and 22's. Hereabouts they ask 0,5€/kg. Some paper and dirt but they burn or float eventually..
     
  3. rwatson
    Joined: Aug 2007
    Posts: 6,163
    Likes: 495, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1749
    Location: Tasmania,Australia

    rwatson Senior Member

    "Anyone know where in Victoria" - not many of those here, and none with 2 tonnes of lead. You guys must shoot a lot.

    I did better going to tyre places for old tyre weights, but even 2 kilograms for a model boat was a lot to drive around 4 shops.

    Check online sites like Gumtree or Trading Post, otherwise, you are going to have to approach metal dealers.
     
  4. TeddyDiver
    Joined: Dec 2007
    Posts: 2,614
    Likes: 136, Points: 73, Legacy Rep: 1650
    Location: Finland/Norway

    TeddyDiver Gollywobbler

    Well, there're more inhabitants in Victoria than Finland and don't expect to find the whole lot in one place, maybe some 100 to 500kg per shooting range before they deliver their lead to scrap dealers melbourne shooting club - Google Search https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHZL_fiFI774FI774&ei=mFGXXZvyN8OGk74Pl9S6qAc&q=melbourne+shooting+club&oq=melbourne+shoo&gs_l=psy-ab.1.1.0l2j0i22i30l6j0i22i10i30j0i22i30.149416.160037..163574...0.2..0.288.4015.11j16j4......0....1..gws-wiz.....0..0i71j0i67j0i131j0i131i67.ljpVsUaFUb0
    It might take some phone calls and some driving but seems to me there are at least as many shooting clubs as here...
     

  5. Squidly-Diddly
    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 1,958
    Likes: 176, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 304
    Location: SF bay

    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    not sure about your location, but here in SF Bay some homeless guys, mostly into copper theft of abandoned or under construction buildings, got ahold of a derelict 40' sailboat and "beached" it at Candlestick State Park beach, where they proceeded to use chains, cables and sturdy pickup to haul the lead keel of several tons up onto roadway, whereupon they dragged on the street about another mile to their lair for further dismemberment. All this took about 2 weeks after beaching. I guess they made some good money.

    So I'd look into various derelict other sailboats. Here is SF Bay it has been a real issue. Economy will crash and suddenly lots of owners are trying to hide their boat from Repo-Man so they take it out to Delta, where it soon falls into dis-repair or squatters, and is then abandoned by owner, with some story for the Insurance. This should happen again soon, once this bubble pops like a pimple. :)

    What is "composite lead"? Just random plain lead that will be melted?

    How about replacing some of the lead with bank of heavy batteries, so you'd have lots of juice on hand? Just include space in the lead keel for batts, and a way to replace them about as often as you haul out to paint the bottom. If something goes wrong with the batts before that all you are out is cost of a few batts.
     
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.