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A really good reason for the Water Ballast 250.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/19/2006 : 17:05:37

So, we were heading for the overnight anchorage in Biscayne Bay on a beautiful balmy night with light airs and crstyal clear waters. It was after sunset, but only just. Could see the other boats at anchor, we had been there before, it's a nice place.
First time we arrived from the NW, GPS declutter was on, under power doing about 3.5 knots. Peggy at the wheel, me on the bow...
whoooooah! gently came to a halt.
Realised that we were in shallows, no scrapping sound, it looked like soft mud.
The rudder was in a couple of inches of mud, prop was clear.

We were within an hour of lowest tide and it was rising, so we could have just waited it out till we floated off, maybe a couple of hours, the range is only a couple of feet.

But we have a C250WB - Water Ballast!
So we pumped it out with our battery powered air pump, and with in less than 10mins we were afloat!
Gently backed off, navigated to deeper water and carefully towards our anchorage.

The WB triumphed over our booboo!
Another lesson learned.

Thanks Catalina!

Paul -n- Peggy.

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2006 : 17:34:21

That's a pretty good tip...Good thinking!

How much less draft does the WB have with the ballast tank empty?

Was the rudder the only part of the boat that became stuck?

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/19/2006 : 20:06:51

I would guess we raised about 3" total(maybe more)
The rudder shows a mild rubbing (like with a course grit sandpaper)
The keel is looking ok. I think the rudder extends below the fully raised keel.

paul

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Ray Seitz
Captain

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USA
416 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2006 : 08:57:26

Paul your boat is newer and Catalina does change things but my rudder and CB (fully raised) are almost exactly the same, I think the number is 29" deep. I have managed to ground just the rudder before on a tack a little to close to shore

. I moved the crew forward and off we went.

Don I would guess with the waterballast out, the boat raises up 3"-5" and it sure feels different without the water.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.