looking for the pros and cons of water ballast sailing vs. the older wing keel boats - not refering to trailering, but how aggressive the sailing can be, whether you can regularly use a genoa with a water ballast boat, etc. Thanks.
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Michael Bell
Suggest the archives...
...while your waiting for responses. There has been much discussion on the topic.
...while your waiting for responses. There has been much discussion on the topic.
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alan
I can compare a water ballasted 260 with...
...a winged keel 260 as I've been on both. The former is more tender. As far as using anything but a working jib, it's been done but requires modifications. Most would tell you to use an asymetical spinnaker. A genny would have to go outboard of the shrouds and wouldn't do well close to the wind because of that. alan
...a winged keel 260 as I've been on both. The former is more tender. As far as using anything but a working jib, it's been done but requires modifications. Most would tell you to use an asymetical spinnaker. A genny would have to go outboard of the shrouds and wouldn't do well close to the wind because of that. alan
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gary verburg
260 water ballast v. fixed keel
I haven't been on a fixed keel 26, but I own a Hunter water ballasted 26. The boat is a bit tender (it leans quickly) but holds. Reefing or reduction in sail is probably appropriate around 12 to 15mph depending on how much courage you have. Be that as it may, it light air, the boat sails easily and takes off relatively quickly. So, assess your typical sailing conditions before making a decision. For example, sailing on a lake with inconsistent light winds, the water ballast is a good choice. In the open ocean, even for day sailing, I would prefer a keel boat because the center of gravity of the boat is lower.
I haven't been on a fixed keel 26, but I own a Hunter water ballasted 26. The boat is a bit tender (it leans quickly) but holds. Reefing or reduction in sail is probably appropriate around 12 to 15mph depending on how much courage you have. Be that as it may, it light air, the boat sails easily and takes off relatively quickly. So, assess your typical sailing conditions before making a decision. For example, sailing on a lake with inconsistent light winds, the water ballast is a good choice. In the open ocean, even for day sailing, I would prefer a keel boat because the center of gravity of the boat is lower.
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Jeff Peltier
One of the trade offs
of water ballast is that it is inherently less stable. That is one of the compromises made for an easily trailerabe, shallow draft boat. Still a good boat, but a little more tender than a fixed keel. Jeff Peltier
of water ballast is that it is inherently less stable. That is one of the compromises made for an easily trailerabe, shallow draft boat. Still a good boat, but a little more tender than a fixed keel. Jeff Peltier
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Tom
Check HOW spec...
The HOW site has specs for Hunter boats so you can compare the 270 (keeled) vs 260 (WB). The figures there may give some indication of relative sail carrying capability. Although I am far from an expert, the WB version has a 6 foot long "Fin" that may be more effective going to weather. The WB keel offers variable draft which will allow you to move through shallow water where the fixed keel would impede progress! The WB has its mass distributed fore and aft while the keeled boat's mass is pretty much concentrated at the center of the boat. This will give the keeled boat the ability to turn and tack more quickly. The same physics apply that cause an ice skater to spin faster when they pull their arms in. I'm curious about the use of a genny on a WB 260, too. Even if pointing ability were off a few degrees, the faster through-the-water speed in light air might more than make up for it. Other considerations are lead costs more than water, and the keeled versions I saw also came with diesel engines and marine heads (vs outboards and porta pots for most WB). Good luck and fair winds.. Tom
The HOW site has specs for Hunter boats so you can compare the 270 (keeled) vs 260 (WB). The figures there may give some indication of relative sail carrying capability. Although I am far from an expert, the WB version has a 6 foot long "Fin" that may be more effective going to weather. The WB keel offers variable draft which will allow you to move through shallow water where the fixed keel would impede progress! The WB has its mass distributed fore and aft while the keeled boat's mass is pretty much concentrated at the center of the boat. This will give the keeled boat the ability to turn and tack more quickly. The same physics apply that cause an ice skater to spin faster when they pull their arms in. I'm curious about the use of a genny on a WB 260, too. Even if pointing ability were off a few degrees, the faster through-the-water speed in light air might more than make up for it. Other considerations are lead costs more than water, and the keeled versions I saw also came with diesel engines and marine heads (vs outboards and porta pots for most WB). Good luck and fair winds.. Tom
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toomas
What's your needs ?
As Gary said: in what conditions are you sailng most of the times ? I've sailed fixed keel boats for 25 years and enjoyed it very much. Finally my back gave up and I had to get a boat that was easy to handle - a 260 WB was my choise. I gave up the open water and hard wind sailing and concentrated on what I call "canoe waters". Now I often find new wonderful natural harbours in shallow waters. List the "musts" of your sailing-pleasure, then choose. (and as always, you won't get them all) toomas
As Gary said: in what conditions are you sailng most of the times ? I've sailed fixed keel boats for 25 years and enjoyed it very much. Finally my back gave up and I had to get a boat that was easy to handle - a 260 WB was my choise. I gave up the open water and hard wind sailing and concentrated on what I call "canoe waters". Now I often find new wonderful natural harbours in shallow waters. List the "musts" of your sailing-pleasure, then choose. (and as always, you won't get them all) toomas
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