Which CM's Had No Ballast Swing Keels, & Which Ones Had Ballast Swing Keels?

I believe all swing keel models had weighted centerboards for ballast. Otherwise where would they get their ballast? I do not recall CM ever making a water ballast.

I think several had ballast built in the hull only, and the keel had the same weight as a rudder. I have not confirmed this, but it seems apparent from reading I have done.

I am curious what lead you to that conclusion.

Putting ballast in the hull would require one of two options:
1, a stubby keel that are typically thick and wide but shallow. They will typically house an unweighted centerboard.
2, a water ballast system.

To my knowledge, Macs were the only water ballast boats out there. Most designers look poorly on this option because the weight is too close to the center of gravity requiring more ballast than should be necessary thus slowing the boat down with all the additional weight.

I have a hard time believing Bill C. would have chosen this option. He designed better boats than that.

The other option would have increased the cost of production exponentially. The process of adding ballast or a stubby keel with centerboard over just giving them a weighted keel doesn't make sense for ease of trailering OR cost effectiveness.

We all know that the mission of Clipper Marine was to build low cost trailerable boats.

If you are basing your conclusion on a written description listing a centerboard as an option, remember that a swing keel like most of us have are, by definition, a centerboard. Even if it has ballast it is still technically a centerboard.

No water. I never mentioned water. Not water ballast.

In several places on the internet, and I think a post or two here, people refer to fiberglass keels on their CM's.

It is possible all swing keels on all CM sailboats were ballast keels, that is what I am trying to find out.

It is possible, people have lost their ballast keels, sold their sailboats without a keel, and people tried making a replacement out of fiberglass.

Interesting stuff. Lots of mysteries surrounding these old boats.

Diggs wrote:

To my knowledge, Macs were the only water ballast boats out there.

Santana had some. http://www.wdschock.com/boats/santana2023/s2023_specs.htm

Used to sail on one owned by a friend. When we pulled it every vinter we always got a laugh as people would see the water draining and he would say "Damn, I knew she had a leak somewhere".

April and I on Gary's Santana, "Sushi Bucket":

Friends don't let friends sail water ballasted sailboats.

The only exception is on the big maxis that flood the windward side of a hull in addition to their canting bulb keels to allow them to stay upright while sailing at speeds of 20+ knots.

Had a Mac 25, Last true Mac Sailboat before they went and retooled everything.

I was inches from putting 11 grand in a Mac X power sailboat, but got cold feet reading about what sailing should be. That is when I found CM's. Thank goodness I did.

Like this fella right here.

From what I understand, they filled the ballast on the leeward side of the boat to make her heel over so far at that slow of a speed.

Pretty crazy stuff!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2PQfJ2SAg4

Amazing what folks will do for a good photo opportunity.

Keel surfing dressed in a Hugo Boss suit.

Ill add that to the videos section. Lol

Diggs wrote:

Friends don't let friends sail water ballasted sailboats.

I will say that Gary has taken Sushi Bucket all over Lake Mich, Georgia Bay, Apostle Islands etc. Including the Straits of Mackinac in a shit storm one night that had him taking green water over the rail. Always last boat off the lake for the vinter in Milwaukee when I was up there. Never afraid to take her out in 20 knots. Well there was one day we were out in 6-8 foot waves, very confused, I was at the tiller and he thought I wasn't handling it well. He took over for a few minutes and decided we should head for the protection of the break wall.

Guy I'm working w/ now built a catamaran and two weeks later Andrew came through and he pumped two ton of water into the hulls to keep it from flying away. Boat is going in for a re-fit now after 24 years. Will post pics of his custom boat when I get wifi.

Have to watch that video when I get wifi too.