Power Without Ballast

[Boblee]

I wasn't aware the Mac could do a tight turn

Try it you might be very surprised especially at full throttle but warn any passengers first, actually it pays to do it so you know what to expect, haven't tried it with the foils down though as really not interested in fixing them.
Would be very cautious about not turning the valve off on the ballast, half a tank is the most dangerous especially if the boat starts to lay over on the starboard side but if that is what turns you on go for it just make sure any passengers have lifejackets on.
As for not feeling unsafe without ballast when powering can think of quite a few situations when I did stop to put ballast in and it made a huge difference, one was in the Murray River (many bends) on a fairly windy day, another was in the Whitsundays when we got caught with a tail wind with a big tide accelerating round a point and a confused sea many others but not as memorable.

[Mac26Mpaul]

I just came accross a page I hadnt seen before. The boat apparently requires 100 pounds at the masthead to hold the boat on its side, WITHOUT ballast This would suggest the boat is almost self righting even without the ballast. I realize this is an empty boat with no sails etc, but still, this is pretty impressive if true I had always assumed that without ballast in, I could go over say 60 degrees and she would go right over just like other power boats, but maybe not!
http://macgregorsailboats.com/safety.html

[March]

Yep, that's what the ad says. My guess is, while under motor power, the sails are going to be furled. With fully deployed sails, if the boat tilts on its side and the main gets filled with water, all bets are off.
But even when motoring, a 60 degree tilt would be quite uncomfortable. I'd hate to think what would shift in my cabin past 45 degrees tilt and how the new center of gravity would make things pretty lively on board

[Newell]

I wonder if the forum historian could tell us how many times the ballasted/unballasted issue has been discussed? It seems to be a favorite topic and the ratio of those against it seems to be the majority opinion. Having never been interested in always being in the majority I have tested my boat's (X) sailing characteristics unballasted. As Tom said in winds of 15 or more there is little point in sailing without ballast. If the idea of unballasted sailing is threatening to you don't do it. In light winds I always sail unballasted. The X and the M aren't the greatest sailing boats, but they sail and can be fun with or without ballast.

[ualpow]

You could forget towing a skier or tube toy with a 50hp motor and ballast in

I tried pulling a tube for the first time this past weekend. I have a 30HP EFI Mercury and with full ballast I got 9.8 Mph with a 220lb rider on a round tube that was plowing. Next time I will try with empty ballast. I think a better designed tube will plow less and go a little faster.

[dlandersson]

Try it and get back to us.

I just came accross a page I hadnt seen before. The boat apparently requires 100 pounds at the masthead to hold the boat on its side, WITHOUT ballast This would suggest the boat is almost self righting even without the ballast. I realize this is an empty boat with no sails etc, but still, this is pretty impressive if true I had always assumed that without ballast in, I could go over say 60 degrees and she would go right over just like other power boats, but maybe not!
http://macgregorsailboats.com/safety.html

[dlandersson]

My problem with that here on Lake Michigan is that I can be in light winds one second and getting 3.5 knots with just the Genoa the next.

I wonder if the forum historian could tell us how many times the ballasted/unballasted issue has been discussed? It seems to be a favorite topic and the ratio of those against it seems to be the majority opinion. Having never been interested in always being in the majority I have tested my boat's (X) sailing characteristics unballasted. As Tom said in winds of 15 or more there is little point in sailing without ballast. If the idea of unballasted sailing is threatening to you don't do it. In light winds I always sail unballasted. The X and the M aren't the greatest sailing boats, but they sail and can be fun with or without ballast.

[Newell]

I usually get at least 3.5 kts unballasted in light winds, unballasted. If the wind jumps up, put in ballast. Yep you react to the conditions.

[vkmaynard]

I wasn't aware the Mac could do a tight turn

Like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSmEG9DiwVo

Victor

[dlandersson]

Note the white hull.

I wasn't aware the Mac could do a tight turn

Like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSmEG9DiwVo

Victor

[Catigale]

I wonder if the forum historian could tell u

Unfortunately, she hasn't reported to work since the Facebook IPO.....and all the moderators got options to buy Facebook at 500 per share...

Seriously , Newell, this topic has been thrashed pretty hard in the Fora ...I'll try post some links later....

[rick retiree]

Just got home from cruising Lake Michigan in a 2001 powered by a 50 Yamaha 4 stroke. It was so calm I syphoned the 1400 lbs of ballast and gained between 10 and 15 percent more Knots at same rpm. This computes to 10/15% better fuel economy, worth it on long trip with gas @ $4.20 (at the gas station), in Chicago area where nothing comes cheap except the politicians. How do you like your Yamaha? Just traded my 2001 Yamaha for an ETEC 60 to be installed next week.

[MAC-A-TAC]

Hello Phil Kelly,

Cruising at W.O.T. with the ballast empty has MAC-A-TAC doing 12-15 knots on plane. I am forced to give full attention to the helm in this situation because she likes to wonder a bit. other than that its no problem.

Godspeed.

MAC Out.

[Kevgrn114]

No ballast, full power, 20 mph. Hard over turns.
The turns went fine, the video is sideways. I'll do better next time.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3770940835408