Water Ballast

[Saluki86]

Can anyone share their experiences with a water ballasted boat?  Pros vs. Cons.  Never sailed one or crewed on one.  My reading shows that they are more tender and "quicker" to heel but don't heel further than a concrete or lead ballasted boat.  True??

Thanks,
Sal

[mattman]

Saluke86-I owned a Hunter 19 water ballast for a little over a year. The boat was 1000 lb dry and 1600 with water, though I have seen reports of 500 lbs ballast. I did not find the boat particularly tender-it did carry a reasonable sailplan-large main and blade jib. I did not notice the boat being more tender per se, but feeling more like a dinghy than a keel boat, and I think that is because it is basically a centerboard type boat with a cabin as opposed to a longer more traditional keel boat. Best of luck.

[Saluki86]

Thanks Mattman.  I am crewing on a water ballast boat this weekend so will see it first hand.

[Gerry]

I used to own a MacGreger 19.  It is more tender but worked well as a compromise boat.  I sailed both with water and without, depending on the wind speed.  Very easy to tow and handle on the hard.  I certainly like a keel better for sailing.