Replacing Permanent Ballast in 26M

[rockman]

I was wondering if anybody has knowledge about the fixed ballast on the 26M.

Where is it?
Can it be removed?
How can it be accessed?

Now - I am sure you are wondering why?
I was talking to somebody about replacing some of the ballast with additional AGM batteries. By my calculations, the 300lb of ballast would equal a couple of hundred Amp/Hrs.

Just another thought....

[Mistral]

Simon, you had me worried there. I thought you need it to store the beer or the red wine.

Dirk

[Currie]

That's it there around the daggerboard trunk. Actually, it's *under* that area around the daggerboard trunk. The water-ballast tank goes over and around the permanent ballast (which is glassed into the hull). Think of the 26M as a permanent ballast with a boat built around it I'd opt for another route.

Cheers,

~Bob

[Inquisitor]

I'm a firm believer in making things do double duty on a boat!
The winch needs to lift the anchor and cook dinner.

BUT:

... it (being the lead ballast) surrounding the trunk is basically being used in a structural sense. There is no way that a grounded flimsy daggarboard is going to overcome/slice through all that lead. Therefore, besides all the resealing of the water ballast tank, you'd have to account for that loss of "strength" for the grounding case.

Nice thought though.

This might help the visualization down in the cross sections...

http://www.macgregor26.com/drawings/drawings.htm

[JustSail]

I believe the permanent ballast is just sand mixed with resin around the daggerboard trunk. There is no removing it unless you grind it out, which I'm sure will affect the strength for the daggerboard trunk.

[Hardcrab]

I think I read somewhere it was concrete.
Perhaps cheaper than sand/epoxy?
Don't know for sure.
I can't imagine Roger using lead, but maybe so.
300 pounds of sand or concrete might be a pretty big volume, (thinking of six 50lb bags of
concrete or sand).

[Night Sailor]

Simplest thing is to rectify your original mistake and trade the M in on a good X. Then you can add batteries everywhere you want....

[Divecoz]

Simplest thing is to rectify your original mistake and trade the M in on a good X. Then you can add batteries everywhere you want....

HUmmmmmmm your telling me there is 13 inches between the hull and the top of the sole liner in the middle of the X boat or .....???

[ubi_est_via]

[quote="Inquisitor"]I'm a firm believer in making things do double duty on a boat!
The winch needs to lift the anchor and cook dinner.

The Wench also needs to fetch the beer!

[Hamin' X]

The Wench also needs to fetch the beer!

But which winch wench.

~Rich

[Inquisitor]

Decisions... decisions...
Captaining has its hardships!

[puggsy]

SEAHORSE runs six...SIX... batteries...One for cranking and all the others for accessories...which i don't have yet...
At least I wont tip over....Puggsy

[Divecoz]

SEAHORSE runs six...SIX... batteries...One for cranking and all the others for accessories...which i don't have yet...
At least I wont tip over....Puggsy

puggsy...... where have you found to mount all those batteries?
How do you keep them all charged?

[Ixneigh]

What about adding to the ballast with four sealed batteries?
Once the ballast tank was opened, you could then use it for fresh water storage.
Might have to put some heavy stuff under the back bunk because the stringer drains to the tank would be empty.

On my fantasy "ultra power sailor" the ballast would be partially composed of five gallon jerry jugs. As you used the fresh water just fill with salt and return it to its spot.
Can anyone think of a way to do that on the M currently?

That would be an option for people who dont trailer often and had the boat for other reaseons such as shoal draft and fast motoring

Ixneigh

[Divecoz]

Hahahahaa Some of you guys come up with some of the Craziest ideas Too Much Time on your hands I suspect
It would be " Interesting " .....to know the actual logic behind adding the permanent ballast..we know it works and does add a degree of safety..
For sure it makes the trunk 10 times stronger in the area most susceptible to impact damage..
Its makes the boat heavier where its most needed to be.. ( with the obvious exception ) of the "keel" / Dagger Board..
Its got to be cost effective.. so its something cheap.. I mean , remember you can buy a new 26M from a dealer for about $20K and he's making money and Roger is producing it and shipping it and we know he's making money.. he has a size-able facility and numerous employees and...... he includes a trailer with every boat.. None of the above are High End.. But all of it works and last.. No Issues Ever Reported with these boats .. well none like was / is .. reported with Bayliners say under 30'..( I find that point of interest humorous) with the number of members "admitting " they now or have owned Bayliners and have the audacity to make negative comments in the structural integrity of Macgregors hahhahaa! 1982 -3 -4 Bayliner was responsible for more hull failures than all other US manufacturers combined and was under scrutiny by some.... government authority.. That 2 column article was in The Chicago Tribune IIRC and can no doubt still be accessed.. I read it in August 1985 at a Dive Shop.. Clipping was laying on a counter..and had been laminated ..
Lots of Manufacturers both good and bad have come and gone in Rogers 35 + years of building these boats.. As for altering the ballast..? Its been talked about here many times... Its Just Not Practical.. The physical configuration just does not lend itself to any modifications..Removal of the gate valve would add expense and Lots of time to launching and retrieval..
"" On my fantasy "ultra power sailor" the ballast would be partially composed of five gallon jerry jugs. As you used the fresh water just fill with salt and return it to its spot. Can anyone think of a way to do that on the M currently? ""
Where in the world would you place them? How would you hold them in place? They would raise the center of gravity a foot or more..hummm not good!
We just recently discussed , fuel tank alternatives and several guys admit they have an issue ( just a couple times a year with) lifting a 6 gallon fuel tank and getting it on board ... Now your asking them to lift 4 to 8.... 5 gallon ( same weight) ballast containers Up and through the companionway, and what? Just tip it over and spill it across the cockpit floor and out the motor well?? On a Regular basis? Really?