Ballast tank leaks 26M, unheard of ?

[oceanview2]

Just curious if anyone has ever heard of a ballast tank leak due to production defects in a 26M ?
I've read some posts ruling this out 100%
especially on this incredible vessel.

[cptron]

Mine doesn't leak

[raycarlson]

would be very easy to diagnose, just fill it up on trailer, shouldn't take long to find leak location if you think you have one.

[Ixneigh]

Haven't heard of anything so far

[Russ]

I've heard of several people who thought they had a leak and it turned out to be false. Never heard of a ballast leak. If you look at how it's constructed, it would be pretty difficult to have a leak.

Many easy ways to test. Drop one of those toilet leak test tabs in the tank and look for dye leaking someplace.

--Russ

[RobertB]

would be very easy to diagnose, just fill it up on trailer, shouldn't take long to find leak location if you think you have one.

Fit "it"? Can the trailer hold the weight of a with the inside filled with water? Just add the blue dye and see if blue water exits the dump valve

[kurz]

Can the trailer hold the weight of a with the inside filled with water? J

As long as you do not drive it around I dont see any problems. Driving around gives much more weight, for example on bad roads.

[EZ]

Years ago when I was shopping for my 26M, I had concerns on how they can ensure the ballast tank stays water tight. One of the dealers I spoke with was Mike Inmon.

He told me that the tank is designed for 1 PSI plus some safety factor. After assembly the factory tests the tank to 2 PSI.

[mrron_tx]

OV2 I have to add My to the don't leak" list also.... but I also have to say that nothing is impossible Hope You find that leak soon Ron.

[1st Sail]

First and foremost the track record of the 26M is excellent. Second, if the tank were to leak it can only leak into the cabin or to sea. Leaking to sea would be somewhat moot point. Also the fluid pressures are essentially neutral with the exception of healing or under power. IIRC the only instance of a ballast tank leaking in to the interior was when someone screwed thru the cabin floor installing batteries. In the year's I have been on this board there have been few complaints posted. However, I do reserve the right under the first amendment to complain about the weather and my land locked 26m.

[mastreb]

would be very easy to diagnose, just fill it up on trailer, shouldn't take long to find leak location if you think you have one.

Fit "it"? Can the trailer hold the weight of a with the inside filled with water? Just add the blue dye and see if blue water exits the dump valve

Under static (non-moving) loading the trailer is fine with the ballast tank full. Just don't bounce the boat over anything and you'll be fine. Simplest way to do this is pull out at a ramp after using the boat but don't dump water and then leave the boat sit in trailer parking while you sop up any water in the bilge with towels. If you're leaking into the boat, it will become apparent while you're drying out the bilge, and the same if you're leaking to the outside. Then dump the ballast on the ramp when you're done and before you transport the boat.

[raycarlson]

I'm pretty sure it's only about 1100 pounds of water in the tank, for those with one axle trailers go easy over speed bumps, if you have two axle trailer you can safely drive at freeway speeds anywhere without a worry if you want since your trailer is good for 9000 pounds you will still have extra capacity to spare..

[oceanview2]

Thanks for all the helpful and encouraging feedback. Will try the outhaul to the parking lot with the tank full. Dry the area under the rear berth. Check for leaks. Seems the most exacting way to approach this.

[seahouse]

Note that if you are tracking a suspected leak at the top rear of the ballast into the “bilge” that the wait for a leak on the hard with the ballast tank full might be a long one.

Raising the bow by parking on an upslope, such as the ramp itself (when you won't be blocking it for others), or by using the jack to raise the bow (be sure to tilt the motor up) will ensure that the top surface of the ballast tank is both wetted (it otherwise might not be) and somewhat pressurized at the stern area, allowing the leak to show up more readily.

I, for one, will be very surprised if you find a ballast leak that was not caused post-production.

Good luck oceanview2 ! - Brian.

[Russ]

Thanks for all the helpful and encouraging feedback. Will try the outhaul to the parking lot with the tank full. Dry the area under the rear berth. Check for leaks. Seems the most exacting way to approach this.

If you are finding water under the rear berth, that is fairly common and not from the ballast tank. There are lots of places water gets in there from up top.
Engine controls, rudders, bolts. You can drop a dye tab in the ballast tank, but my guess is you won't find a leak there. The "tank" is basically glassed in the hull and is very very solid. As mentioned, the only time I've heard of a ballast leak is when someone drilled a hole to mount something.
Water under the aft bunks on the other hand happens often.

--Russ