Lease wrote: ... On the motoring front, I'm undecided. The boat certainly tracks OK and goes quicker without ballast,
... but the need to be smooth with steering inputs to avoid outward roll puts a question mark in regard to emergency maneuvers. Mind you, I have zip experience with motoring at higher speeds,
Lease,
Get out there without the kids and test it a bit. The X-boat will NEVER perform an "outward roll" even at her highest possible speed, as long as the CB and sails are tucked away. The 26X leans reliably and consistently INTO her turns, even with mast up. I have cranked the wheel hard at top speed of 20 mph, and the boat carves like a Nautique! There's no need to fret about an outward roll unless the centerboard is down.
Always close the vent valve at the bow when ballast is full. Not doing so would be risky and foolish. The boat hook was the way my dealer taught me to open and close the valve. Works great. My boat actually came with a hook.
I prefer to motor without ballst. There is about a 4-5 mph speed gain with my E-Tec 50, beter manuevarability and the boat just seems to ride higher on plane; less spray too. Other than the speed gain, it just rides much nicer. As for sailing, full ballast, always, no matter how light the wind may be. Even with my ballasted keel, I will never raise sails without full ballast. I'm not willing to risk capsize.
Easier said than done. They're the passport to get out of the house - kidding.
Thanks for the advice Frank; fifteen years of sailing experience doesn't mean much when the noise is on. The last time I was doing 18 knots on a boat I had the spinnaker brace in one hand, the tiller in the other, and a terrified grin on my face.
I ALWAYS sail and/or power with full ballast - - - loss of 1 knot speed is not worth any loss of stability. I also sail in Santa Monica Bay around Marina Del Rey and after 11AM there is almost always wind, current and some sea. Better safe than sorry. I like that advice "don't leave home without it (ballast). I also never thought of using my boat hook (double duh) to open and close ballast valve. I also ALWAYS insert plug after filling to keep sloshing to a minimum. I also CHECK the ballast level every two weeks or so even though I haven't touched it to be sure it is full.
