Adding ballast to Wayfarer copy CL16?

Hi All,
Looking for a little guidance here...
I have my grandfather's old CL 16, a double hulled copy of the wayfarer.
I would like to be able to sail single-handed, but I am light (150lbs) and I can't seem to get it powered up by myself. Also, capsize recovery could be a handful, though I haven't tried.
In general, I am looking for a roomy and sedate boat for family outings, camp cruising and occasional excitement in rough water single-handed.
I am reluctant to move down to a smaller boat because I like the space, but I want to calm it down a bit for singlehanding and going out with the kids.
Would it be a bad idea to install large deck hatches in the cockpit sole either side of the CB and stuff in some bags of pea gravel or whatever? I could also open up the floor under the front storage cuddy for another bag there? Maybe 100lbs total? Would it work?
I've heard that when loaded with camping gear the boat behaves more like a keel boat (what I want).

Is it worth chopping up my boat just to give it a try?
Would this help with capsize recovery?

Ideally I would just get a Welsford Pilgrim, but I don't have time or money to build...

thanks
Ian

 

Ballast would help but have you tried reefing it?

 

Yes. I have one reef in the main.
If I take down the jib and reef the main, I can do ok, but slow. General feeling that I have to spill wind all the time to stay comfortable once it gets to 15kts.
Maybe I need a second reef or a smaller cruising sail?
Still feels like the boats needs a bit more load in it...

 

Try adding water ballast in plastic Jerry cans. Must be lashed in place.

 

Adding ballast may overload the boat and make it sink in case of swamping. Definitely a bad idea for taking children along. Otherwise, to go fast in high winds you can use a trapeze.

 

I know what you mean about needing more load: years ago we hired a Wayfarer when my wife was pregnant (and had never sailed) and we weighed about 100kg/220lbs between us. I put in one reef in a breeze and it was a real handful; Mrs. Craig screamed when it slammed in the chop over the harbour bar! I like the water ballast idea because you can add or remove containers to get the right amount (always keep them full) and will not make the boat liable to sinking as lead etc. would as gonzo mentioned.

 

Another way of hiking out with less effort, are hiking boards.

 

Ok. So I could just load up some jerry cans and lash em to the thwart. Won't be nearly as low down as my original idea, but safer as was pointed out. And I don't need to chop the boat up. In the original idea I would be relying on the retrofit deck hatches maintaining buoyancy.
Perhaps the best solution is to move down to a 14footer for solo sailing while I sort out a better setup for the family. I really do want to build something...

 

I have no interest in trapeze etc. Especially solo.

 

Take note of Alan Craig's advice about keeping the water containers full. If less than full, the water will slosh around and create an unpleasant and unpredictable situation.

 

If I was ballasting something like this, I'd make sure that the ballast couldn't move. Imagine a broach or something and all the ballast moves to the downhill side!

Is the daggerboard replaceable? You could make a really heavy one and secure it in place. Just remember never to drop it in deep water!

I could imagine making water ballast tanks out of fiberglass that conformed to the inside of the boat. Just make sure they are securely in place.

It would look kind of weird, but instead of building a smaller boat, you could make a lower rig for this one. If it was me, I'd consider a 4 sided sprit sail with 2 sprits. Presumably, as comoared to a 1 sprit, 4 sided rig, this would reduce sail twist, so as to reduce rolling and make mining easier. A three sided sprit sail behaves but would be tall.