Ballast at finger?

[canmac27]

Hi all,

I have kept the ballast filled on my 26M while it is moored on a finger at my sailing club. The water has dropped at lot this summer and the boat sits with approximately 2 feet of water below the hull. I was considering removing the ballast to lighten the boat and provide a little more breathing space underneath. Now my question is, what role does having the ballast filled play while on a finger? I figure the ballast helps steady the boat when encountering winds.

P.S. Often note that when checking the ballast level, that it is 2-3'' below the check hole in the forward berth. I open up the valve on the stern to top up before sailing. Is this normal. I don't think it is a seal leak on the valve as it is a new boat.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[mastreb]

There's no problem with docking unballasted. Also, as long as you can feel water through the vent hole with your finger, you've got enough ballast. How much ballast will flow in automatically depends on the weight of your boat. A new empty boat with one person aboard will not fill to the top of the vent hole, but a boat that's loaded down with gear and people will flood above the vent hole and fill the bowl with water.

[Russ]

I would leave it as is.

You have 2 feet under her. That's not bad in some situations. My last boat had about 6 inches under the keel at the slip.

Blowing the ballast out is only going to give you about 2 inches of extra room. Not with the trouble. If you have that low of water, you should move the boat.

[robbarnes1965]

I would leave it as is.

You have 2 feet under her. That's not bad in some situations. My last boat had about 6 inches under the keel at the slip.

Blowing the ballast out is only going to give you about 2 inches of extra room. Not with the trouble. If you have that low of water, you should move the boat.

Hey Ray!

Russ is right. Save the ballast emptying for if you actually do end up at bottom (does not seem impossible this year) I have a pump who's hose can be inserted in the vent hole if it's necessary. Plus, the ballasted boat is a little more resistant to windage.

As for filling the tank completely, do it when Lucy is on the boat and sitting at the back. It's not much weight but it will help. You can experiment with having her walk down and forward but I think back is best. Anyway, for the purposes of ballast, you are "full" when no more water is coming in.

We are so lucky having Macs on our lake this year. Staff at our club are going crazy this season trying to find slips with enough water for all the boats. Some guys have needed the crane to get out of their slips any almost everyone is hitting rocks that nobody knew were there before. My neighbor's stern was our of the water - prop and all - after leaving his boat docked for 2 weeks! We are paying for the nice winter with no shoveling...


Rob

[ronacarme]

I would leave the ballast tank filed when slipped, to slow wind puff or wave/wake induced rolling, and so reduce resulting snatch loads on the docklines.
Ron

[NiceAft]

Our boats float in a foot of water. Don't bother with the emptying the ballast. As long as you feel water in the vent opening, you have enough ballast. I keep mine full all of the time.

In the slip I have for Nice Aft, it gets really shallow at low tide. The marina is on the Delaware River, but when the tide is at its lowest, it gets very shallow.
This photo was taken at almost low tide. You can see how tall the pylons are.

Ray

[Captain Jim]

Ray, I thought you were on your way to Londontown.

Jim

[canmac27]

Sorry for the late reply all. Thanks for the great and reassuring advice. Rob, I think I'll take your advice and get Lucy walking the deck our next time out - water willing!
Looks like our club was built on a marsh at this point. Lots of weed. At least the herons are enjoying it!

Low water Ray