What exactly is water ballast. I sail a Catalina 22 swing keel and would like to go up in size. The idea of keeping in the trailerable sizes is somewhat appealling. I still would like some headroom as my wife is 6'1". We have looked at Cat25 and Cat27, but I keep seeing posts that mention water ballast boats. What exactly are they, how do they work, and do they make good sailers? How big do they make them and keep them trailerable? Thanks for any help. RGallagher August Moon Catalina 22
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T
tom
Water Ballast is basically a water tank
They mount the tank near the bottom inside of the hull. There is valve that allows water into and out of the tank by gravity. I've owned a water ballasted boat and the work fine but not as well as traditional ballast. The only real advantage is they are lighter to tow.
They mount the tank near the bottom inside of the hull. There is valve that allows water into and out of the tank by gravity. I've owned a water ballasted boat and the work fine but not as well as traditional ballast. The only real advantage is they are lighter to tow.
Many boats have less headroom in the
water ballasted models (like a Catalina 250) because of the tank, that's the biggest they make. Others have bigger boats, Seaward Eagle is a 32 & may be largest (if it has water ballast, not really sure).
water ballasted models (like a Catalina 250) because of the tank, that's the biggest they make. Others have bigger boats, Seaward Eagle is a 32 & may be largest (if it has water ballast, not really sure).
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Doug L
Water ballast
The Seaward boats are not water ballast, they use a retracting weighted dagger board to give shallow draft when needed, but give you a weighted fin keel when the depth of the water allows. If money were not an object I probably would own one. Since money is an object, I just purchased a water ballast 1994 Hunter 26. My experience with the boat is limited so far, but it feels much like the swing keel Macgregor 25 I owned previously, as far as being tender. I do not think there is a trailer boat that is not tender, so if heavy weather is in your plans, you may wish to go with a real keel boat. However, if shallow draft, ability to be trailered, 5'8" headroom and decent accomadations for the weekend are what you are after and plan on keeping the sailing to decent weather conditions, I would recommend the Hunter 26 or the newer 260 as worth your attention. BTW, these boats are pretty wide, 8'11" beam on the 26, you are supposed to have a wide load permit to trailer it, but I do not think anybody does...
The Seaward boats are not water ballast, they use a retracting weighted dagger board to give shallow draft when needed, but give you a weighted fin keel when the depth of the water allows. If money were not an object I probably would own one. Since money is an object, I just purchased a water ballast 1994 Hunter 26. My experience with the boat is limited so far, but it feels much like the swing keel Macgregor 25 I owned previously, as far as being tender. I do not think there is a trailer boat that is not tender, so if heavy weather is in your plans, you may wish to go with a real keel boat. However, if shallow draft, ability to be trailered, 5'8" headroom and decent accomadations for the weekend are what you are after and plan on keeping the sailing to decent weather conditions, I would recommend the Hunter 26 or the newer 260 as worth your attention. BTW, these boats are pretty wide, 8'11" beam on the 26, you are supposed to have a wide load permit to trailer it, but I do not think anybody does...
Water Ballast System works great....
I own a MacGregor 26, and the Water Ballast system works great in order to trailer the boat to sites. We use it for camping, sailing, motoring, (all great family fun). You just simply empty the water ballast, and reduce the boat weight 1200 to 1400 lbs. Be sure and check out the MacGregor 26X or 26M. Both are roomey, and accomodations are comfortable.
I own a MacGregor 26, and the Water Ballast system works great in order to trailer the boat to sites. We use it for camping, sailing, motoring, (all great family fun). You just simply empty the water ballast, and reduce the boat weight 1200 to 1400 lbs. Be sure and check out the MacGregor 26X or 26M. Both are roomey, and accomodations are comfortable.
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Mark A
more on water ballast
I have a 96 model Hunter 26. My previous boat was an older model Ericson 25. I would say that the Water Ballast Hunter is more tender in heavier winds than the Ericson was. The Hunter tends jump on over to a 30 degree heel in a 15 mph wind and we start thinking about reducing sail beyond that. The water is convienent and inexpensive weight and dumping it makes towing a bit easier. We like the wide beam of the Hunter and the spacious interior. All in all it's a wonderful boat. We have a slip at Cave Run Lake in Kentucky, I would say one drawback to the water ballast is the need to pull and drain the boat each winter to keep her out of any possible freeze. As a towable boat, With a ton of interior room, I doubt you could find much better at the price. We are towing to a new lake next week and will stay on the boat for 5 days. Check out the Hunter 26 or the newer H-260. Mark
I have a 96 model Hunter 26. My previous boat was an older model Ericson 25. I would say that the Water Ballast Hunter is more tender in heavier winds than the Ericson was. The Hunter tends jump on over to a 30 degree heel in a 15 mph wind and we start thinking about reducing sail beyond that. The water is convienent and inexpensive weight and dumping it makes towing a bit easier. We like the wide beam of the Hunter and the spacious interior. All in all it's a wonderful boat. We have a slip at Cave Run Lake in Kentucky, I would say one drawback to the water ballast is the need to pull and drain the boat each winter to keep her out of any possible freeze. As a towable boat, With a ton of interior room, I doubt you could find much better at the price. We are towing to a new lake next week and will stay on the boat for 5 days. Check out the Hunter 26 or the newer H-260. Mark
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Ray Bowles
Water ballast won't freeze unless....
I have owned a 95 Hunter 26 which was water ballasted. They won't freeze in the winter unless the water they are floating in freezes also. The water in the tank remains at the temp of the water aroound it. They are somewhat tender but reducing sail helps this condition. A foam luft on the roller furling is a must to have any useable sail remaining when partially rolled in. The lack of a adjustable fairlead on the jib sheets is a minor problem when running the jib reefed. I also recommend adding a second reef on the main above the single factory reef point. The Hunter line of water ballasted boats are all very nice day sailers on inland waters and have the room for a couple for up to a week. The MacGregors are somewhat smaller and a little less money. The Mac 26X is neither a sailboat nor a speed boat. It simply is a wind assisted fast trolling platform. I'll start ducking for cover now. Ray
I have owned a 95 Hunter 26 which was water ballasted. They won't freeze in the winter unless the water they are floating in freezes also. The water in the tank remains at the temp of the water aroound it. They are somewhat tender but reducing sail helps this condition. A foam luft on the roller furling is a must to have any useable sail remaining when partially rolled in. The lack of a adjustable fairlead on the jib sheets is a minor problem when running the jib reefed. I also recommend adding a second reef on the main above the single factory reef point. The Hunter line of water ballasted boats are all very nice day sailers on inland waters and have the room for a couple for up to a week. The MacGregors are somewhat smaller and a little less money. The Mac 26X is neither a sailboat nor a speed boat. It simply is a wind assisted fast trolling platform. I'll start ducking for cover now. Ray
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RGallagher
Thank you for the info
I would like to thank everyone for the information. We sail inland but would like to do a little coastal cruising in the summer. As an educator there is a little free time from June to August. We have never sailed anything but inland water. I know we have a lot to educate ourselves on before we seriously plan. But, I also know we just need to do it so it happens. I was impressed with the Hunter 25.5 that the couple sailed to the Dry Tortugas. This had me thinking that maybe we did not need a 27 foot plus boat. I am going to look at what Hnter and Catalina offer in water ballast. Again thanks everyone for the help.
I would like to thank everyone for the information. We sail inland but would like to do a little coastal cruising in the summer. As an educator there is a little free time from June to August. We have never sailed anything but inland water. I know we have a lot to educate ourselves on before we seriously plan. But, I also know we just need to do it so it happens. I was impressed with the Hunter 25.5 that the couple sailed to the Dry Tortugas. This had me thinking that maybe we did not need a 27 foot plus boat. I am going to look at what Hnter and Catalina offer in water ballast. Again thanks everyone for the help.
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