Lighter boat in light winds--H260

[Tom Burke]

I am new to this forum, so pardon me if I ask a worn out faq. I sail on Lake Texoma and race my Hunter 260 from time to time. I know I own a cruiser, not a racer, but my high handicap can sometimes even the score. However, on light wind days, the 2000 lbs of water ballast put me a distinct disadvantage. I leave the boat in a slip, so pulling it out the water to drain the ballast would not be conventient. I have 4 gpm, 12 volt pump which would drain the ballast tank in about an hour. Of course if the wind picked up, I could quickly re-flood the ballast tank. Am I on the right track or totally nuts with this scheme? Has anyone else tried this?Tom

 

[Alan]

Water Ballast Question

Your PHRF rating is assigned to you after you fill in a spec sheet. This sheet will specify your ballast. Once the ballast is reported, it cannot be changed without a review. Therefore, whatever you reported as ballast is what you must sail with for that year or be subject to DSQ. Sure it's been thought about, but the rules prohibit moving or shipping ballast.