Speeding filling and emptying the ballast

[Mark Prouty]

Besides getting a larger valve, are there any methods to speed the filling and emptying the ballast?

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Don't know of any fast way to fill short of using a highspeed pump. You can hasten the emptying by using a high volume low pressure inflator at the vent hole.

There are certainly some high speed pumps out there that could probably be rigged, but is it worth the trouble to save 5 minutes?

I fill with both my transom valve (the early model small valve) and my under step bottom valve open. I drain under power with just the transom valve. It takes about 10 minutes either way.

[Frank C]

Besides getting a larger valve, are there any methods to speed the filling and emptying the ballast?

Emptying thru the larger valve is only 5 or 6 minutes, but I'm not sure I'd undertake the effort if it only takes you 10 minutes now. It seems a high-risk mod, not sure I'd like the ROI ... and it seems pretty doubtful to me that pressurizing the tank would have much effect on that time.