Water Ballast?

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Britta

I am ready to purchase a water ballast boat and am comparing boats. I have seen the hunter 240 and 260 and MacGregor 26S. What other water ballast boats are available in the 22 to 26' range? Any opinions that would help in decision making would be much appreciated!
 
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Ken Shubert

Compromise

Remember that WB is a compromise making trailering more practical. The ballast tank is a nuisance in cold weather and it's noisy to sleep on. WB boats tend to be "tender" in gusty winds and the tank reduces the headroom in the cabin. But we put up with this for the freedom of moving over land. We've sailed one for 4 years so they aren't that bad. Catalina had a version of their 25 with WB along with swing and fixed keel a few years back. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
 
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Mark M

Catalina 250

Catalina has offered the water-ballasted centerboard C250 model since 1994. They also sell it in a wing-keel version. For more information, visit the Catalina 25/250 National Assn. website: http://www.catalina25-250.org
 
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John Kagan

I choose the Hunter 260

I have also been investigating buying a water ballasted sailboat. I recently test sailed the Hunter 260. The Hunter 260 has significantly more cabin space than the Hunter 240 or Catalina 250. The Hunter 260 has wheel steering as an option which the Hunter 240 and Catalina 250 don't. The Hunter 260 is a better performing sailboat and has better quality than the MacGregor. The Hunter 260 is more expensive than the other choices but I believe it is worth it.
 
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Ray Bowles

I disagree about the problems Ken mentioned.

We have a 95 H26 water ballast boat that we sail at least 3 days and nights each week and usually 4 to 5 is the norm. There is absolutly no noise from the ballast tank when sailing or sleeping aboard. Is the boat tender? We reef the main at 10.2 mph average. We pull the jib in 40 percent at 13 mph. Last week we sailed 11 miles up wind with the main reefed at its first point (this would be a second reef on a Cat etc.) without the jib at an average of 2.6 mph upwind of ground covered. Tender, it depends on your ability to control your sail plan. A Hunter 26 or 260 is a well thought out boat and kicks fanny compared to the competition, other than a J boat. RAY s/v Speedy
 
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