I'm a new racer and have a regatta coming up this weekend--always looking for that little extra, I was wondering if it would be prudent to sail with half (or less) water ballast in light winds. I've checked the rules high and low, and it seems to be legal--but will the boat be stable enough to stay on top of the water?
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Makes negative sense...
If you don't fill your tank entirely, and you are heeled over - where will the ballast be. The LOW side!
I'm willing to say that the first third of your ballast tank SUBTRACTS righting moment. The next third zeroes it out, and then the last third of the tank actually provides positive stability.
Sounds like a horrible idea.
If you don't fill your tank entirely, and you are heeled over - where will the ballast be. The LOW side!
I'm willing to say that the first third of your ballast tank SUBTRACTS righting moment. The next third zeroes it out, and then the last third of the tank actually provides positive stability.
Sounds like a horrible idea.
She'll probably stay on top of the water but the real question is in what attitude.
The less water you put in, the more you can be sure she'll float!!!
The less water you put in, the more you can be sure she'll float!!!
Not recommended.
Inadequate and shifting ballast can be dangerous. Follow the manufacturers signs and warnings.
Inadequate and shifting ballast can be dangerous. Follow the manufacturers signs and warnings.
It's probably illegal and definately a bad idea.
Besides being illegal :Liar:, It won't matter because the boat will sail terribly and you won't finish high enough for anyone to bother protesting.
I didn't fill my tank once so it would 'float' off the trailer easier. I forgot to fill it after launching.It was a really dum idea. Forunately the winds were 2 knots. If the wind would have had any velocity at all, I would have been in trouble.
I race my 23.5 for fun. The Hunter wareballast boat are good boats, I like all 3 models, BUT they ain't serious racers. If winning is truely your goal, try another boat.
Good luck in your race. I'll be in Miami racing my 23.5 this weekend.
Mike Howell
H23.5 Belles 3
Ladys Island, SC
Besides being illegal :Liar:, It won't matter because the boat will sail terribly
and you won't finish high enough for anyone to bother protesting.I didn't fill my tank once so it would 'float' off the trailer easier. I forgot to fill it after launching.
It was a really dum idea. Forunately the winds were 2 knots. If the wind would have had any velocity at all, I would have been in trouble.I race my 23.5 for fun. The Hunter wareballast boat are good boats, I like all 3 models, BUT they ain't serious racers. If winning is truely your goal, try another boat.
Good luck in your race. I'll be in Miami racing my 23.5 this weekend.
Mike Howell
H23.5 Belles 3
Ladys Island, SC
Potentially fatally dangerous
There was a notorious case on Lake Champlain involving a MacGregor without its ballast tank filled a few years back. It capsized at night after a July 4th fireworks display & 2 kids (and a dog) died because they got caught in rigging. The "captain" had borrowed the boat from a friend & was allegedly drunk.
Fill the tank...
There was a notorious case on Lake Champlain involving a MacGregor without its ballast tank filled a few years back. It capsized at night after a July 4th fireworks display & 2 kids (and a dog) died because they got caught in rigging. The "captain" had borrowed the boat from a friend & was allegedly drunk.
Fill the tank...
Re: Potentially fatally dangerous
I will not tryit!
The boat does not have a system for variable ballast, so if its not properly filled, it makes the boat unstable and further reduces the sail carrying capacity in a blow.
Actually, on our 23.5, I found that she sails better when I have crew(sitting on windward side)with winds above force3, than when singlehanded.
I will not tryit!
The boat does not have a system for variable ballast, so if its not properly filled, it makes the boat unstable and further reduces the sail carrying capacity in a blow.
Actually, on our 23.5, I found that she sails better when I have crew(sitting on windward side)with winds above force3, than when singlehanded.
Striping any unnecessary weight(except ballast)like cushions/xtra anchors/empty water tanks/cooking and camping gear(just clean EVERYTHING out), sailing with a clean underside and reefing early will help take this boat to its max potential. Then it's just practice, practice. Oh yeah remember to not get so serious that you don't have fun......really
M&K
M&K
(this is just a wacky idea)
Fill the ballast tanks with lead shot and epoxy resin, leaving some space for water. Then in light air, you can go water ballast-less!
Fill the ballast tanks with lead shot and epoxy resin, leaving some space for water. Then in light air, you can go water ballast-less!
Re: It's probably illegal and definately a bad idea.
Thanks for your post MH....go luck in the race/have fun as always..
Ill be going out on Beaver Lake with experienced friend, tomorrow with 9-13 kts winds. I'll reef at dock and see what its like from there.
WB will be full..lol....mark<><
Thanks for your post MH....go luck in the race/have fun as always..
Ill be going out on Beaver Lake with experienced friend, tomorrow with 9-13 kts winds. I'll reef at dock and see what its like from there.
WB will be full..lol....mark<><
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