Has anyone installed solid (lead, concrete) ballast in water ballast tank? If so, were new access holes cut into sole and tank?
Added ballast
- Thread starter Sailmate
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Ridiculous Idea
What a stupid idea. Is this some kind of troll thing? Why have water ballast if you can't remove the weight? Notice this turkey has no particular boat. This post should be deleted John S Boise going sailing in about 15 minutes and I will dump the ballast after haul out!
What a stupid idea. Is this some kind of troll thing? Why have water ballast if you can't remove the weight? Notice this turkey has no particular boat. This post should be deleted John S Boise going sailing in about 15 minutes and I will dump the ballast after haul out!
Maybe not
If the boat isn't trailered, why not have permanent ballast? Less space needed for the same amount of wieght so you could center or lower the center of gravity a bit to make the boat less tender. Theoretically.
If the boat isn't trailered, why not have permanent ballast? Less space needed for the same amount of wieght so you could center or lower the center of gravity a bit to make the boat less tender. Theoretically.
To the Boise knee jerk
H-m-m stupid eh? Thanks for showing your intellect to us all. My Mac is 95 swing keel who's performance I have enhanced with several innovations but still have the same old Mac problem (or any water ballated boat) - poor carry through when tacking and initial tenderness. I have 2 sailboats so I am no slouch or landlubber. My Mac is docked near my home and my other (20ft Mallard) is at my weekend cottage in Northern Antrim county in Michigan, so I don't care if the ballast weight is not removable. Mr. S. - perhaps water is not the only 'dump' you should take.
H-m-m stupid eh? Thanks for showing your intellect to us all. My Mac is 95 swing keel who's performance I have enhanced with several innovations but still have the same old Mac problem (or any water ballated boat) - poor carry through when tacking and initial tenderness. I have 2 sailboats so I am no slouch or landlubber. My Mac is docked near my home and my other (20ft Mallard) is at my weekend cottage in Northern Antrim county in Michigan, so I don't care if the ballast weight is not removable. Mr. S. - perhaps water is not the only 'dump' you should take.
Putting Cement in your Ballast Tank
Your idea is really, really stupid. I stand by that. I did not attack you personally, your idea is stupid. Now, if you want to start a pi#$ing contest, please fill your ballast with concrete. The concept of removable ballast is not in your brain. I do not make slighting remarks, I tell you what I think. And my Mac, with water ballast, never has a problem coming about because I fixed the rudder deficiency, see link below for the rudder you need. Or take a sailing class to learn how to come about. With a French name, I can understand your simpering insults, but try to contain yourself and stay on the subject. Putting concrete in the ballast area of a Mac 26 D S M X is rerally, really stupid. John S Boise
Your idea is really, really stupid. I stand by that. I did not attack you personally, your idea is stupid. Now, if you want to start a pi#$ing contest, please fill your ballast with concrete. The concept of removable ballast is not in your brain. I do not make slighting remarks, I tell you what I think. And my Mac, with water ballast, never has a problem coming about because I fixed the rudder deficiency, see link below for the rudder you need. Or take a sailing class to learn how to come about. With a French name, I can understand your simpering insults, but try to contain yourself and stay on the subject. Putting concrete in the ballast area of a Mac 26 D S M X is rerally, really stupid. John S Boise
Bilge not ballast
In my over fifty years of sailing I've personally watched a world famous naval architect of sea going trawlers, and a world famous builder of large world cruising sail yachts pour concrete from a concrete truck mixer into the bilges of freshly launched boats that indicated during their sea trials that they did not float properly on their lines. It is a well known and often done practice even to ships of a hundred tons or more. I wouldn't think of doing it in the ballast tank of a Mac, but I have no problem with the idea of more ballast in the bilges if a boat is seldom trailered for long distances, if it is used in gusty wind conditions or heavy sea conditions, that require sailing not motoring. Putting a few hundred pounds of lead or concrete ballast in the bilges of a Mac alongside the ballast tank runners that align fore and aft on the sides of the hull, near the centerboard or cabin area. (I mean the tubes connecting the forward and read ballast tanks) That decision might be arrived at based on the expected maximum load of cargo expected, the conditions to be encountered, and if the boat is often or seldom trailered with a barely adequate tow vehicle. Some people load their boats down with electronic stuff, ice makers, A/C units, life rafts, dinghies, etc, which raise the center of gravity and think nothing of it. Others will go without the luxuries and put more ballast down low in their boat's bilges just to improve the sailing character and comfort of their boat in the prevailing sea conditions. I do suggest that whatever ballast is put in be securely bonded in place so that it cannot vibrate loose from the hull, and cannot fall out or come loose in a knockdown or collision. The hull will carry the weigh without stress, whereas heavier dagger or centerboards will always increase stress in areas not designed specifically for them.
In my over fifty years of sailing I've personally watched a world famous naval architect of sea going trawlers, and a world famous builder of large world cruising sail yachts pour concrete from a concrete truck mixer into the bilges of freshly launched boats that indicated during their sea trials that they did not float properly on their lines. It is a well known and often done practice even to ships of a hundred tons or more. I wouldn't think of doing it in the ballast tank of a Mac, but I have no problem with the idea of more ballast in the bilges if a boat is seldom trailered for long distances, if it is used in gusty wind conditions or heavy sea conditions, that require sailing not motoring. Putting a few hundred pounds of lead or concrete ballast in the bilges of a Mac alongside the ballast tank runners that align fore and aft on the sides of the hull, near the centerboard or cabin area. (I mean the tubes connecting the forward and read ballast tanks) That decision might be arrived at based on the expected maximum load of cargo expected, the conditions to be encountered, and if the boat is often or seldom trailered with a barely adequate tow vehicle. Some people load their boats down with electronic stuff, ice makers, A/C units, life rafts, dinghies, etc, which raise the center of gravity and think nothing of it. Others will go without the luxuries and put more ballast down low in their boat's bilges just to improve the sailing character and comfort of their boat in the prevailing sea conditions. I do suggest that whatever ballast is put in be securely bonded in place so that it cannot vibrate loose from the hull, and cannot fall out or come loose in a knockdown or collision. The hull will carry the weigh without stress, whereas heavier dagger or centerboards will always increase stress in areas not designed specifically for them.
Well said
Night Sailor has it right. I was interjecting here just to suggest one might load some sand bags for the experiment. These can be adjusted, moved about, and removed when the time comes. could be cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner as well if need be. Adjustments would be forward or backward along the keel line to adjust fore and aft tilt. I'd also put them in the bottom of the bilge or interior lazarettes for the experiment. Sounds like fun, Steve P.
Night Sailor has it right. I was interjecting here just to suggest one might load some sand bags for the experiment. These can be adjusted, moved about, and removed when the time comes. could be cleaned up with a vacuum cleaner as well if need be. Adjustments would be forward or backward along the keel line to adjust fore and aft tilt. I'd also put them in the bottom of the bilge or interior lazarettes for the experiment. Sounds like fun, Steve P.
ballast
As I carry little in the way of creature comforts, and tend to sail on some quite windy days, and as I seem to need more weight upforward, I have been planning on adding some balast to my Venture 23. I was planning on adding concrete under the head, and floor in front of the head, and posibley under the vee berth, adding foam for the additional weight too. As the boat is very light (2000 lbs) I figured an additional 220 lbs wouldn't hurt my towing, in fact the added toung weight would help. I like the sand bag idea and will try it first.
As I carry little in the way of creature comforts, and tend to sail on some quite windy days, and as I seem to need more weight upforward, I have been planning on adding some balast to my Venture 23. I was planning on adding concrete under the head, and floor in front of the head, and posibley under the vee berth, adding foam for the additional weight too. As the boat is very light (2000 lbs) I figured an additional 220 lbs wouldn't hurt my towing, in fact the added toung weight would help. I like the sand bag idea and will try it first.
Sailmate, If you have insurance, will it cover a sunken boat, that is advertised as positive floatation? Just a thought. I wouldn't do it, but thats me. I do not have a problem tacking, unless I screw up. I can spend Her on a dime. But then, I learned to tack Hobies and Nacra catamarans, and they don't weigh as much as a fart in a paper bag. Any way, I understand about a heavier boat. It will tack better. Mac's tender, but once you get the water ballast higher than the waterline they harden up quickly. Maybe take more people or beer. 
Good luck.
Good luck.Re Sale Value
It changes the whole concept of that model. I don't think I would do something I could not un-do. Brian
It changes the whole concept of that model. I don't think I would do something I could not un-do. Brian
Consider this
I'm still not quite sure why you want solid ballast. The water ballast is part of the design and works quite well when left in the tanks with a little chlorine to stop any growing things there. One might consider a flexible water tank up front perhaps under the V-berth area. This would give you water for washing down or bathing and you can fill it up or get rid of it if you wish. This would not alter the boat design at all. If you think your boat is rear end heavy perhaps re-thinking what you have stored in the laz if anything would help. I suggest you just go sailing and crank up the I Pod. Cheers, Steve P.
I'm still not quite sure why you want solid ballast. The water ballast is part of the design and works quite well when left in the tanks with a little chlorine to stop any growing things there. One might consider a flexible water tank up front perhaps under the V-berth area. This would give you water for washing down or bathing and you can fill it up or get rid of it if you wish. This would not alter the boat design at all. If you think your boat is rear end heavy perhaps re-thinking what you have stored in the laz if anything would help. I suggest you just go sailing and crank up the I Pod. Cheers, Steve P.
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