Has anyone tried to let diferent amounts of water into the ballast chamber for light wind conditions? I filled my tank a little over halfway the other day in ~10 mph winds. It made for more of a "heeling adventure", which we, at times like. I have read that more heel (over 15-20 degree's?) will slow you down for racing...but it seems that in some conditions less ballast would increase speed. We are contemplating trying to measure different amounts under different conditions and conduct some informal "lake" trials, but were wondering if anyone else had some info on this...? Thanks, Richard
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Possible Danger
Others can (and I'm sure will) chip in if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that sailing with the tank partially full raised the risk of sloshing around and actually increasing the potential to heel beyond the desired amount. In other words, wind picks up, increases heel of boat, as water sloshes in that direction to catch up with boat, it then pushes initially even more in that direction. Could get nasty in the appropriate conditions. T J
Others can (and I'm sure will) chip in if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that sailing with the tank partially full raised the risk of sloshing around and actually increasing the potential to heel beyond the desired amount. In other words, wind picks up, increases heel of boat, as water sloshes in that direction to catch up with boat, it then pushes initially even more in that direction. Could get nasty in the appropriate conditions. T J
Hull Warranties
I'm pretty sure that somewhere in the fine print of your owners manual there is a disclaimer regarding operating the boat in manners not intended by the manufacturer for this reason. Another effect of the sloshing motion described by TJ might be damage to your holding tank, tearing it loose from the supports. Swinging five hundred + lbs of water from one side to the other on a tack will create a LOT of force vectors against that far wall when you switch tacks.
I'm pretty sure that somewhere in the fine print of your owners manual there is a disclaimer regarding operating the boat in manners not intended by the manufacturer for this reason. Another effect of the sloshing motion described by TJ might be damage to your holding tank, tearing it loose from the supports. Swinging five hundred + lbs of water from one side to the other on a tack will create a LOT of force vectors against that far wall when you switch tacks.
sloshing water
Never thought about the force of water sloshing back and forth...makes sense. Thanks
Never thought about the force of water sloshing back and forth...makes sense. Thanks
Sloshing? No problem!
Actually, the real danger comes from having 500 pounds of ballast suddenly shift to the leeward side of the boat. The boat would not be nearly as dangerous sailing with no ballast at all. Since when did heeling become a good thing? Don't mono hulls carry a bunch of extra weight (ballast) just to prevent excess heeling so they can carry more sail to push the extra weight (ballast) through the water? (see recusive logic) Heeling more than 25 degrees may be entertaining (and exhausting) to the crew but it actually makes the boat sail slower (less efficient keel / sail dumps air) and the boat tends to round-up (hard-over rudder is like driving a car with the parking brake on). The owner's manual has sufficient warnings against doing the ballast-half-full to cover the manufacturer's butt if property or life is lost while attempting this. Happy sails *_/), MArk
Actually, the real danger comes from having 500 pounds of ballast suddenly shift to the leeward side of the boat. The boat would not be nearly as dangerous sailing with no ballast at all. Since when did heeling become a good thing? Don't mono hulls carry a bunch of extra weight (ballast) just to prevent excess heeling so they can carry more sail to push the extra weight (ballast) through the water? (see recusive logic) Heeling more than 25 degrees may be entertaining (and exhausting) to the crew but it actually makes the boat sail slower (less efficient keel / sail dumps air) and the boat tends to round-up (hard-over rudder is like driving a car with the parking brake on). The owner's manual has sufficient warnings against doing the ballast-half-full to cover the manufacturer's butt if property or life is lost while attempting this. Happy sails *_/), MArk
I love that heeling feeling
I do realize that heeling excessively will slow the boat down...but it sure doesn't FEEL slow. Some days we will try to tweak as much boatspeed as possible, but much of the time we are just partying and playing. We even have a "window toast". When someone can get the window to submerge, we extort with a rebel like yell, reach down (and up) clank our drinks together and enjoy the ride. To attempt to prevent a plethora of responses concerning the safety of the above activities; I would like to state that, of course drinking and sailing WILL increase the odds of some unfortunate incident...and I would not be engaging in these activities off the coast somewhere. But, in our beautiful little lake I accept the risk in lieu of the enjoyment gained. I very much appreciate the advice on the filling of the water ballast tank, and will heed it. Richard
I do realize that heeling excessively will slow the boat down...but it sure doesn't FEEL slow. Some days we will try to tweak as much boatspeed as possible, but much of the time we are just partying and playing. We even have a "window toast". When someone can get the window to submerge, we extort with a rebel like yell, reach down (and up) clank our drinks together and enjoy the ride. To attempt to prevent a plethora of responses concerning the safety of the above activities; I would like to state that, of course drinking and sailing WILL increase the odds of some unfortunate incident...and I would not be engaging in these activities off the coast somewhere. But, in our beautiful little lake I accept the risk in lieu of the enjoyment gained. I very much appreciate the advice on the filling of the water ballast tank, and will heed it. Richard
Heeling Feeling 2
Richard - I empathize with you in this regard. Having learned to sail on Hobies, I had the most fun while flying a hull, and said that I didn't have a good day sailing unless I turned the boat over at least once. When we moved up to our H26, the Mrs laid down the law regarding excessive heeling. She seemed to think righting a Hobie and righting a Hunter were not in the same league.
Now that we've moved up to a 35.5, the speed has much improved but excessive heeling is still kept to a minimum. Actually, now that my kids are getting older, I'm thinking of keeping my eyes open for an older used Hobie for them to do some learning on. (And for me to have some fun on!) T J
Richard - I empathize with you in this regard. Having learned to sail on Hobies, I had the most fun while flying a hull, and said that I didn't have a good day sailing unless I turned the boat over at least once. When we moved up to our H26, the Mrs laid down the law regarding excessive heeling. She seemed to think righting a Hobie and righting a Hunter were not in the same league.
Now that we've moved up to a 35.5, the speed has much improved but excessive heeling is still kept to a minimum. Actually, now that my kids are getting older, I'm thinking of keeping my eyes open for an older used Hobie for them to do some learning on. (And for me to have some fun on!) T JMe too!
T J, I also learned to sail on a hobie...probably a correlation there between hobie sailors and heeling desire. I think I see the wind blowing from the office window. All this writing about sailing has gotten me a bit fired up...,time for a half day vacation! Richard
T J, I also learned to sail on a hobie...probably a correlation there between hobie sailors and heeling desire. I think I see the wind blowing from the office window. All this writing about sailing has gotten me a bit fired up...,time for a half day vacation! Richard
Ya, me too!!
Used to be a roofer and a framer. Been into finish carpentry for the last 20 yrs. Had to climb a ladder recently, outside, 30 ft. Forgot what it was like, not pleasnt. Love the thoughgt, heeling is fun, but should still be FUN!!!!!
Used to be a roofer and a framer. Been into finish carpentry for the last 20 yrs. Had to climb a ladder recently, outside, 30 ft. Forgot what it was like, not pleasnt. Love the thoughgt, heeling is fun, but should still be FUN!!!!!
tipping over and other fun events
Richard, The ballast in any sailboat must be captive or controllable. Some racing boats that use moveable ballast use it to prevent excessive heal and thus sail more upright. If you leave some water out of your tank then your boat would become very tender. The greatest danger would probably come on a strong roundup or broach when the semi-filled water load excellerates and slams into the opposite side of the tank. This adds to the force of the roundup. It could overstress the tank mounts or tank itself. Ray
Richard, The ballast in any sailboat must be captive or controllable. Some racing boats that use moveable ballast use it to prevent excessive heal and thus sail more upright. If you leave some water out of your tank then your boat would become very tender. The greatest danger would probably come on a strong roundup or broach when the semi-filled water load excellerates and slams into the opposite side of the tank. This adds to the force of the roundup. It could overstress the tank mounts or tank itself. Ray
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