Water Ballast Leak?

[rwmiller56]

Hi, everyone,

First, I would like to introduce myself. I'm Roger, and I just purchased a 2005 26M. My wife Nancy and I had been thinking about buying a 2004 or newer 26M for a few years now, and we finally got the price we wanted on the used market. We have the boat slipped on SF Bay. We've had the boat out several times under power. We are currently getting the sails in order. The mainsail needs battens, and the genoa needs a roller furler to deal with the strong winds on SF Bay. So far, so good. We love the boat, and are looking forward to sailing it soon, first with just the main sail.

Well, here is my first question:
When we first launched the boat, I filled the water ballast with fresh water. The level was about and inch or so above the vent plug. I installed the plug and bailed out the excess water from the pot. The boat has been in the slip about 2 1/2 weeks. I've taken it out under power 3 times over that time period. Last night, I removed the vent plug, and I noticed that the ballast level was about 4 inches below the plug (using the measuring tube). It seemed strange that I could lose that much water ballast in such a short time. Is this normal? Or is it possible that I have a small leak in the aft ballast drain valve?

Thanks,
Roger

[Rick Westlake]

My notion is that the stern valve hadn't completely closed - that has happened to me. You may need to lubricate the valve.

Next time you have the boat on the trailer, check the valve action: Is it sticky? Is it hard to pull the handle open or push it closed? And does it look as if it's sealing - does the "guillotine" slide down a fraction of an inch below the bottom edge of the valve gasket?

Even if it seems to be working fine, spray the "guillotine tracks" and the actuating rod with a good lube, like Sailkote. Work it a few times, spray it again and work it again ... when I did this, I found that it really made a difference.

Hope it helps - Rick

[c130king]

I have experienced the lower ballast level a few times but I don't think it is a leak. More likely it has to do with weight distribution on boat.

But who knows...

Jim

[rwmiller56]

Thanks, Rick & C130king, for the suggestions.

I'll check the valve, but I won't have the boat up on a trailer anytime soon. I know it looked closed before I launched the boat. I suppose all I can do now is give it a few taps with a rubber mallet to be sure it is seated all the way.

The weight distribution is an interesting point. There is now much more weight towards the aft of the boat than when I first filled the ballast.

I'm going to refill it this weekend, and keep on eye on it.

[extreem]

If the ballast valve were leaking while in a slip, the ballast tank would fill. I would suspect that the added weight aft would cause what you are seeing.

Is there a reason that you are filling with fresh water I would just open the ballast valve and let the tank fill, then close valve and install vent plug.

[rwmiller56]

extreem,
I am filling the ballast with fresh water because do not plan on changing the ballast water for awhile, and I don't want anything from the harbor growing in there. Besides, the fresh water is readily available and free at the slip. I just feel better about using fresh water rather than nasty bay water for extended use.

[SkiDeep2001]

methinks you will be surprised at what grows in the marina fresh water also.

[rwmiller56]

Now there's a happy thought. I think I took a drink out of the hose one day when I was really thirsty....

[KtownCruiser]

Make sure to check the ballast tank before and after taking the boat out. If there is a leak around the valve, the movement of the boat through the water will suck the water out while it is moving. I would suggest checking it periodically while out on the water until you are sure it is not leaking.

Also, if you want to keep the ballast water free of growth, drop a small piece of a chlorine tablet (as used in pools) into the tank about one a month.

[Kelly Hanson East]

Roger - if the rear valve leaks, which is common, it wont drain ballast out while at rest, it will let the tank fill. The valve is under the water line at all times at rest, so any leak (if the valve is open) will admit water and fill the tank, not empty it.

A much more likely explanation for the air in the tank is it that there was a trapped air bubble when you filled it, and when you checked it later on it had burped its way to the front of the tank near the valve.

[rwmiller56]

The low ballast level must have been because of a trapped air bubble. I refilled the ballast, then took the boat for a cruise, then checked the level again. It was fine. Thanks everyone for the help

[delevi]

Roger,
Welcome aboard. I'm also on SF Bay and own an 05 which I bought new in 04. The odds of an actual ballast leak are quite slim. I'm guessing your issue is attributed to the fact that the water wasn't filled from the aft valve as designed and despite the level up front, was never completely full. The bow dips about 3 inches when ballast is full. Your method may not have gotten the water completely full in the aft portion of the tank but showed full up front. Just fill with bay water per standard procedure. Don't worry about growth in the tank. Fresh or salt probably doesn't matter. If you like, you can pour a small water bottle filled with clorox into the tank. When full, make sure both the aft valve and vent plug are closed tightly. Chances are, your probably will be solved. One more suggestion about your sailplan. SF Bay gets a lot of wind this time of year as you already know. If your budget allows, get yourself a working jib and put that on the furler. Even with the 100% jib vs. 150 genoa, you will be roller reefing it much of the time. The partially rolled jib has significanlty better shape than a rolled genoa. You will get more speed, less heel, and better windward performance. Between November and February, when the winds die down, you can switch back to the genoa. At least that's what I do and works out nicely. The genny is also nice when trailering to lakes, etc, but can be a real detriment on the bay or out of the gate when it blows like there's no tomorrow. Also, if you plan to sail with just the main, don't be surprised if the boat points poorly into the wind and goes slow. It can sail just fine on beam reaches or lower on just the mian, but you really need a headsail to go upwind. Even a 1/3 sized rolled jib will make a huge difference. Good luck, and see you on the water.

Leon

[bubba]

I agree with rwmiller56 : The low ballast level must have been because of a trapped air bubble. We usually rock our M very hard when first filling the ballast it brings quite a few big bubbles up and then after going out in big swells which rocks the boat .

[Boblee]

A much more likely explanation for the air in the tank is it that there was a trapped air bubble when you filled it, and when you checked it later on it had burped its way to the front of the tank near the valve.Kelly Hanson East

Yep ours does it all the time.

[rwmiller56]

Roger,
SF Bay gets a lot of wind this time of year as you already know. If your budget allows, get yourself a working jib and put that on the furler. Even with the 100% jib vs. 150 genoa, you will be roller reefing it much of the time. The partially rolled jib has significanlty better shape than a rolled genoa. You will get more speed, less heel, and better windward performance. Between November and February, when the winds die down, you can switch back to the genoa. At least that's what I do and works out nicely. The genny is also nice when trailering to lakes, etc, but can be a real detriment on the bay or out of the gate when it blows like there's no tomorrow. Also, if you plan to sail with just the main, don't be surprised if the boat points poorly into the wind and goes slow. It can sail just fine on beam reaches or lower on just the mian, but you really need a headsail to go upwind. Even a 1/3 sized rolled jib will make a huge difference. Good luck, and see you on the water.

Leon

Leon,
Thanks for the comments on the sail plan. Yes, I know what you mean about the winds on SF Bay. There have been small craft advisories every day for the last 2 weeks or so. Today, we did sail her in the morning, out of Redwood Creek, in the south bay, where we have her slipped. With just the main, she actually did pretty well, since most of the Redwood Creek channel is on a beam reach. But we do need to get the furler set up as soon as possible. I am seriously considering adding a working jib.

Roger