How stupid would this be

[lml]

Downwind, 5-10mph winds, with asymetrical spinnaker, one hand on the sheet, and NO BALLAST. Has anybody done this? I've been sailing my 26x for a year, 2-3 times a week. I think I'm ready to try it.

 

[Glenn B]

Ahhh-Stupid......

Our boat will not self right itself without the ballast. They also claim it will not sink either-but the only one I have ever seen wet did not have a 50 Hp hanging off the stern and full of junk either..I have tried to sail a sunfish full of water before--not very stable..Even with the towing available..Think of the mess of cleaning it up if you did turtle-all your stuff floating, batteries in water, fuel tank leaking? At least you want to single hand the boat so that reduces the rescuers job by only looking for one. I think I know what you are trying to do--get on plane while sailing....I used to think it was cool to do wheelies on a motorcycle till I screwed it up and got hurt. Be safe.. I think that with the sails up and no ballast these Macs make for a tender ride.Not to mention a spinnaker. Read the manual and all the placarded safety precautions. I guess due to the nature of my job I learned not to take risks. I always try to think is the reward woth the risk? Sail Safe and Blue Skies

 

[Bill Graham]

Please think again

I have heard on a few ocasions this being done,but I always felt it was done by those who like to live life on the very edge, to flert with danger, to try and beat the odds. If your current life offers so little, or the Doc told you, you had only 6 momths to live then maybe you should give it a try. There was an incident out in Frisco bay with 6 people on board, the skipper just plain forgot to fill the tank. She flipped over and they became another statistic. All were rescued, but it was not a pleasent experience for anyone and who's responsible? The skipper! Roger is an engnieer and has other engineers working for him, they figuire out all the math and science so people can be safe and have fun. It would not be wise to court a disaster you know will surely come by circomventing operational protocol, but then again maybe the Coast Guard might be having a slow day and would appreiate another SAR call.

 

[John Dawson]

Thinning the fleet

Should make for a good story. As my friend Steve would say, "Impending marine disaster."

 

[MArk]

Darwin is smiling!

"If the 1400 lbs of water ballast is drained, the boat becomes an even faster sailboat. However, like most small sailboats or catamarans, without ballast it can be capsized if you are not watchful. For protected waters or when sailing near shore, the added speed can make for fun."The above is a quote from the MacGregor factory site (and MacGregor's own sales literature):http://www.macgregor26.com/sailing.htmThis is in conflict with the owner's manual and warning signs, but if the thrill is worth the potential risk to life and boat to you, I'd say go-for-it! There's risk in everything. Just don't expose yourself or others to stupid risks.If you want to see the results of taking really stupid risks, check out the Darwin Awards on related link...Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/),MArk

 

[Ken]

I agree

Two Springs ago I neglected to fill the ballast. Fortunately, I figured out "what was wrong" quickly. To say that the boat was squirrelley would be an understatement. Fortunately the winds were low.