I am contemplating trailering my boat to Southern California from Phoenix and to sail it to Catalina Island. My question is whether or not this is a wise (safe) thing to do given the fact that the boat is a water ballasted Hunter 26. Has anyone out there done this, and if so, what was your experience. I am an experienced sailor, but my crew is not, and I have not sailed off shore in this boat before. Also, any hints on trailering this boat would also be helpful.
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Why not?
My previous boat was a MacGregor 26S (swing keel & water ballasted) that made the trip just fine. I plan on doing the trip many times in my new H260. Be sure to visit Two Harbors for at least one night. On your down hill runs lock the trans out of overdrive and set your cruse for 55mph. The combination of surge brakes & cruse control will maintain a constant down hill speed without the tow vehicle braking. I drive Fords and assume Chevy & Dodge vehicles will work similarly.
My previous boat was a MacGregor 26S (swing keel & water ballasted) that made the trip just fine. I plan on doing the trip many times in my new H260. Be sure to visit Two Harbors for at least one night. On your down hill runs lock the trans out of overdrive and set your cruse for 55mph. The combination of surge brakes & cruse control will maintain a constant down hill speed without the tow vehicle braking. I drive Fords and assume Chevy & Dodge vehicles will work similarly.
Water ballast?
Don't know much about water ballasted boats, whats wrong with them? This owner seems leary of a trip which I believe is not far from the coast of California. What are the negatives of a water ballasted boat?
Don't know much about water ballasted boats, whats wrong with them? This owner seems leary of a trip which I believe is not far from the coast of California. What are the negatives of a water ballasted boat?
center of gravity
The reason I posted this inquiry is not because there is anything wrong with a water ballasted boat. The reason for my question is that in a water ballasted boat the center of gravity is higher than in a keel boat, pound for pound. I have sailed both and a smaller, trailerable water ballasted boat tends to be initially more tender and I am curious about how it would handle swell conditions in the ocean. That beins said, water ballast is great for trailering and lake sailing. I don't have six foot swell on lake pleasant and I am curious about how a small water ballasted boat handles the swell on a run from the coast to the island.0`
The reason I posted this inquiry is not because there is anything wrong with a water ballasted boat. The reason for my question is that in a water ballasted boat the center of gravity is higher than in a keel boat, pound for pound. I have sailed both and a smaller, trailerable water ballasted boat tends to be initially more tender and I am curious about how it would handle swell conditions in the ocean. That beins said, water ballast is great for trailering and lake sailing. I don't have six foot swell on lake pleasant and I am curious about how a small water ballasted boat handles the swell on a run from the coast to the island.0`
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