Quick question I've not been able to google successfully - is the 26M (centre board up) draft figure of 12" WITH or WITHOUT water ballast?
I'm just planning my inaugural splash and with my slipway it's pretty important; I'm already limited to around an hour either side of HWS.
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MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
According to the 26M book, it says the draft is 12". As they always advise the ballast tank to be full, it should be safe to assume the measurement is taken with the tank full. Remember that your outboard will probably be lower than that so you might have to raise it if it is on a drying mooring. Make sure your dagger boardand rudders are up too or else they might snag or get damaged if you are powering through a shallow bit.
Pat Saddler
GladNick 26M
Thanks Pat, it's true that is a logical way to look at it, and I hope it is correct.
However, the 12" draft figure is also good advertising since you can say it without specifying Ballast or No Ballast.
And further, if it's 12" with ballast, what would it be without ballast? And wouldn't this figure be even better advertising?
My feeling is that it's probably WITH ballast. What I really want to know, since I don't want to be stranded until the next spring (hyperbole I know:)), is: is the 12" draft figure WITH or WITHOUT water ballast?
I guess one way to figure it would be to look at the waterline - ie. the start of the wetted area or anti-fouling line.
This line must be the approximate waterline WITH ballast. So, if I just measure from here to the bottom of the boat, if it's 12" then that's the answer.
If its more, then I guess the resulting figure - ie. probable draft WITH water ballast - will be the one I need for my launching calculations.
As ever it's so helpful to be able to talk things through to facilitate thinking things through.
Many thanks!
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Hi Mike
Don't forget that you will actually be launching without ballast (and don't launch with the valve open, wait until you're moored to let the water into the tank).
Are you going to motor off the trailer, or can you walk it off with lines, and guide it onto a mooring? If the former, then your motor depth is actually the limiting factor, especially as hitting the bottom with a rotating prop is going to do a lot more damage than bumping the bottom of the hull! You will also need some daggerboard down as soon as you're clear of the trailer otherwise you'll find the boat is almost un-steerable. It's best to have at least one rudder down as well for the same reason. All these things limit the launching depth more than the technical draft of the hull.
However, if you can walk it by line from the trailer to a mooring then you can do that with everything raised, and get away with a lot less water.
You may need to take the ballast into account when recovering of course, if you've filled it after launching. All the other considerations I mentioned still apply though.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Many thanks Rick, I will probably be launching single-handed so the plan is to lead the boat and tie up next to the slipway.
As I'll be recovering from the same slipway at the end of the season I'd like to know how to position the trailer re the water. Since she'll be with ballast on recovery I want to launch fully ballasted to get a benchmark trailer level.
This was the main reason for wanting to know the ballasted draft so I can chose an adequate tide height.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Ok, I've been mulling over your comments Rick and have decided on a compromise launch procedure to enable me to:
1. Get a benchmark trailer position on the slipway (for recovery) WITH ballast, and
2. Tie up at and depart from the side of the slipway WITHOUT ballast.
What I'll do is back down the slipway filling the ballast gradually and then photograph and measure the trailer position/depth when she finally floats then FULL.
Having done with that I'll then drain the ballast and complete my departure - the bit where minimum draft is needed.
I'll look out for the rudders and outboard; indeed I plan the reverse off the side of the slipway.
Thanks again!
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50