Powering without ballast

[awolfe]

I just noticed on this thread:

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2204


There seems to be several people concerned with powering without ballast. I'm bewildered by that. I very rarely ever power with my ballast full. If I am going to power, I first raise the cb and rudders, then open the ballast valve, shutting it about 5 min later. I leave the mast up and all sails on...lowered and secured, but on.

I have an X. Is there an issue with the M that I haven't heard about - or maybe an old thread I missed?

Jus' Curious...
Tom
'98X
Annies Song
Denver

[Frank C]

Whenever possible, I avoid motoring with ballast tank full. and "whenever" really means 95% of the time for my 26X. It is plenty stable with moderate crew & gear, even with all rigging.

Ballast makes sense when crew gets up to 4 or 5 adults (just my opinion). Also, if I choose to drop sails in heavy conditions and switch to motoring, I would not try to empty ballast until finding protected water.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

I've powered with empty ballast for over 1000 Nautical miles in my boat. Crew (Family) of 5 on board. It's a rare situation where I decide I need ballast under power. I've been out in all kinds of conditions without ballast. We just furl the headsail, and lower the main and put the sail cover on.

It takes 10 minutes for me to empty the tank under power. My older boat has the smaller valve on the port side. Don't trust that after a certain time it is empty. Look over the back and verify that there is no more water flowing out the valve. Closing it too soon will create the most dangerous configuration with partial ballast that shifts around in the tank.

[EZ]

I also often operate under power without ballast. I only operate without ballast when I have a crew of 4 or less.

I agree with Frank in that you don't wan't to try to empty ballast under severe weather conditions. I normally make sure I have plenty of gas to power back home with ballast if necessary.

[MAC26X]

We switch regularly between sailing and powering and usually power without ballast, even. I always sail with ballast and the valve closed. I usually power without ballast but leave the gate open, since I prefer the ballast when maneuvering in the marina, especially with a wind. The X tends to hunt on a plane without ballast, especially with an adult or 2 on the deck and 3-5 foot rear quartering waves on Lake Erie. This keeps the captain busy at the helm. I am considering a mod to reduce this.

[MAC26X]

I must be having an editing problem. The previous grammatically incorrect post is not what I typed. Some of the edits were missing?????

[norbert]

you can always edit it by hitting the edit button on the right of your post.

[Mark Prouty]

I just noticed on this thread:

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2204


There seems to be several people concerned with powering without ballast. I'm bewildered by that. I very rarely ever power with my ballast full. If I am going to power, I first raise the cb and rudders, then open the ballast valve, shutting it about 5 min later. I leave the mast up and all sails on...lowered and secured, but on.

I have an X. Is there an issue with the M that I haven't heard about - or maybe an old thread I missed?

Jus' Curious...
Tom
'98X
Annies Song
Denver

I am new to my 26X as of last summer and have also pondered similiar questions:

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... ht=squirly
http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... ight=drill

I have an X. Is there an issue with the M that I haven't heard about - or maybe an old thread I missed?

No one answered this question. I'm assuming the the M probably handles better under power with an empty ballast because of improved hull design and the fact that it has some permanent ballast.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

From what I understand this is true, the M handles better under power without ballast. The increased V of the hull gives a softer ride and doesn't pound as much in chop. You might find a bit more roll as it's initial stability is reduced a bit by the lack of the large aft flat surface. It does however have the extra resin low in the hull acting as permanent ballast that isn't there in an X.