Newbie Question: H2O ballast safety off S. Florida Coast

[miata97m]

Hi everyone:

I'm thinking of purchasing a trailerable sailboat (24-26 ft) to minimize the costs of ownership a bit.

In my searches (and budget) for sailboats I've come across Hunter 240, Hunter 26, Catalina 250, and Starboard Yachts 24 as possibilities. My concern is the water ballast feature of the Hunters and Catalinas. I read that these are quite tender and I'm wondering if these are more suited for lakes than coastal sailing? I don't foresee myself going too far from shore. i can imagine a trips down to the Florida Keys hugging the coast.

The crew consists of 2 adults, 2 small dogs. I understand that 'experience' will always make one more capable but that is something I don't have. I'm currently taking lessons and enjoying it very much. That said, I want to be cautious and learn how to sail with the boat and just enjoy sailing. If you have recommendations and/or boats you would not consider I would be interested to know why.

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

miata,

This topic has been discussed a number of times. Here is a current thread with some good information at the start. http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=127440&highlight=water+ballast

I hope that helps.

 

[kpgraci]

..to minimize the costs of ownership a bit

Let me know how that works out.

 

[miata97m]

Many thanks for the link. I read through the post and a others. I contacted our local marina asking for costs to moor a boat - approx $3500. per year. I'm trying to decide what the correct algorithm would be deciding whether to go with a moored boat or to have a trailerable one. If I understand it correctly, a trailerable with water ballast makes it easier to lower and raise the boat into the water. However, I have also read there are shortcomings (e.g. blistering (?), tender). The issue of capsizing does worry me. I don't think I would panic as much as it might convince my sailing partner not to go on the boat again.

Any thoughts on the stability of a 23ft vs 25ft vs 30ft boat? Is it a steep change in terms of what it is like to float? Or are the differences more gradual say between a 23ft vs 33ft?

Yes, I know the issue of cost. I know I will not win that one! That said, I'm on a limited budget (say 10-15k) with a contingency fund.

Again many thanks for your responses...it's a learning curve.

 

[Benny17441]

The water ballasted boats should be fine for your area. You have Byscaine Bay, Florida Bay, Hawcks Channel and the Intra-Coastal to explore. Besides that you will have a trailerable boat that you can take up I-95 to distant and exiting sailing venues. The boats are a little tender under sail but stable enough to handle some rough seas. If the wind gets too high reef early or just drop sail altogether. The good thing about your area is that if the weather turns there are many places relatively close to seek shelter. With the center board up it can go into fairly shallow water and find som nice anchorages. As you gain experience, you will gain confidence to handle the boat under various conditions. In fair weather some have crossed the Gulfstream to the Bahamas and travelled to the Dry Tortugas but you would need a failry wide weather window. Besides the Hunter we have a trailerable Starwind 223. The boat has a short fixed keel / centerboard combo. It is somewhat tender but very stable. This is the boat that gets to sail in the Outer Banks, the Chesapeake Bay, the Long Island sound and some Great lakes. The big boat just goes to the Bahamas and coastal FL. If I had to decide on just one that small Starwind may just take it.

 

[Sailm8]

We sailed our C22 all over the keys and never felt we were in danger. The biggest problem was finding suitable boat ramps to launch and retrieve. Also you need to factor in the time to rig and unrig and parking for you trailer and car/truck. We were very practiced at rigging on the trailer but it still took about 2 hours each way. The point is that you just can't say lets go sailing for a few hours. It is a much more elaborate undertaking. Make sure the trailer has an extendable tongue for short ramps.

 

[miata97m]

Many thanks for the responses.

Sailm8 - yes, I understood that it does take time to put the boat into the water but didn't quite realize that it took that long. That certainly does change the equation considerably as the hot sun here in FL might make that 2hrs seems much longer. Yes, the extendable tongue. I have that on my list now - thanks.

Benny - many thanks for your response as well. It certainly answered a number of 'key' questions.

 

[sesmith]

We have a 23.5. It wouldn't be my choice for a trip to the bahamas, but would be fine for coastal cruising in good weather. A little tender at 1st, but you get used to that and it sails well even in a fair amount of wind. Stepping the mast every trip gets old in a hurry. We got a slip after our 1st year. It is nice to be able to trailer it as the last couple of years we were able to haul it up to Lake Champlain, and spend a week on that lake too. Takes us a little more than an hour to launch it or pack it up. The last time, we took the mast down on the water instead of in the hot parking lot of the launch, and got 1 more swim in before we motored in and pulled it out.

 

[Benny17441]

Try trailering and see how it works for you. Just develop an efficient routine for preparing and rigging the boat and with practice you should be able to have the boat in the water in less than 30 minutes. Consider also the alternative of dry-docking. That is where you keep the boat at a marina on its trailer with the mast up. When you want to go sailing you just hich it up and drop it in the water. If you have the time available to go sailing during the week for an hour or two then it may be worth it to get a wet slip or a mooring but if not I would trailer it.