Sealed center valve - water ballast issue

[WidespreadSailing]

So I just bought a 97 Macgregor. I have already taken her from Miami to Key West. She sailed like everyone said she would sail and she motored like everyone said she would motor. BUT the previous owner sealed the center valve. I am going to have to use a dremel tool to even get it "unglued".

Anyone got a good suggestions or even better a great solution?
Thoughts on any of the mods?

Thanks from a Newbie....
Cal

[FLembo18]

I can't help you out, sorry, but I would like to Welcome you aboard and wish you the very best on your future Mac-X sailing ventures.

Frank L.

[SeaGriff]

I have a 97 and there is no center valve. Or are you referring to the
air valve under the step.

[Ixneigh]

Next time you go down that way pm me if you like. I live along that rought.

Ixneigh

[WidespreadSailing]

I stand corrected.... It is the Air Valve under the step. The previous owner sealed it with some type of Marine Adhesive⁄Sealant. He always filled the water ballast even when he was moting.

I would like to be able to first correct this issue and then second possible "modify" this into a better work solution instead of having to remove the seat each time.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[WidespreadSailing]

I have a 97 and there is no center valve. Or are you referring to the
air valve under the step.

Yes I am referring to the Air Valve under the step. I am trying to come up with a 'new and improved' method for getting the air out / in. Any thoughts?

[March]

This is weird. If the air valve under the step is sealed (or plugged) how can the air from the ballast tank ever get out to allow the water to get in? On our 26X, if the plug is not removed (which has happened a couple of times) the ballast tank stays empty (or almost).
You might want to check if the previous owner has not installed a different air vent elsewhere, first. That air has to get out somehow.

[WidespreadSailing]

The previous owner would take it off the trailor move it to a marina and let her sit there for 4 summer months. He very rarely moved her and when he did he motored and was not concerned about fuel effectiency. Thus he plugged up the air valve under the step. I don't understand what his logic was but I want to improve it.

Have you seen or heard of a mod with an air pump or anything similar?
Do you use the rear entry point for the water or the one closer to the swing keel. My boat seems to have both.

[restless]

For filling on our 96 we use both. To drain we just use the rear, which if like mine is a bit small and rubbish.
My planned super neat mod to this involves putting in a bigger rv waste gate at the back, and then transferring the breather bung hole up frd to under the vee berth.
Now, on mine, there is a 'lump' where it would seem the next generation of macx breathers went. My cunning plan is to link this to the cb trunk so effectivly it will blow out of the mast support tube. The spanning pipework will have a nice stainless tap to lock it off.
The centre drain is a menace that needs keeping an eye on. ours leaks when beaching overnight. Set off with 1/2 ballast one morning... not good. I'll be happy to glass that part of the hull in when I get to do these bits, along with the weighted and non-clunking cb mods. I have posted a thread on this before.

[WidespreadSailing]

Restless wrote "My cunning plan is to link this to the cb trunk so effectivly it will blow out of the mast support tube. The spanning pipework will have a nice stainless tap to lock it off."

Just curious if you have done anything with the center valve re-location project. Thanks.

[Catigale]

Old thread rehash alert...



How about drilling a new one inch hole in the top of the tank and putting in a 4.99 expanding transom plug like the and boats??

One inch hole saw from Lowes ....about 15 USD.

[Tomfoolery]

How about drilling a new one inch hole in the top of the tank and putting in a 4.99 expanding transom plug like the and boats??

Unless there already is one, under the hatch at the aft end of the vee berth, like the later , and the OP isn't aware of it .

Glass a cup around it so small spills and leaks are contained, and go sailing. If the existing plug has a cup around it already, seal the original vent and move the cup.

Longshot, maybe, but worth checking into at least.

[Catigale]

An empty tub of XD100 oil would make a fine cup for the new ballast valve....

[Newell]

My 96X has the same ballast system as the 97. I put in the 4" gate on the starboard rear. Plugged the mid-vent and permantly closed the mid-valve and covered the hull depression with a plastic plate flush with hull. Tapped in a 1" ABS plastic barb into the fore ballast tank. 1" ID hose from it to anchor locker drain hose connected by a tee. Vent is now always open and fill and drain is open or close at the transom. Never have a problem. I often sail without ballast, but when I need to open valve it is one action and never leave the cockpit. Additionally I trashed the hump step and put in a modified X companionway ladder with a teak landing over the mid-valve apparatus.

[WidespreadSailing]

Yep - old thread... but it appears someone finally "took the bait".

Newell » Wed Dec 14, 2011 1:43 pm
My 96X has the same ballast system as the 97.

You've done what I needed to do. Got any plans or drawings on this. I'll be the first to admit I new to modifications on a sailboat.

Thanks.