Final Jeopardy

[Highlander]

Or you could buy the extension handle kit I bought two yrs ago & have yet to install along with my front hatch adj. rod

J

[pokerrick1]

Very interesting ideas in this thread, but before you draw it to a conclusion Jim, the one thing not mentioned is the next time you need to open/close the ballast valve, don't open the captains seat, USE A BOAT HOOK OVER THE STERN Pull the valve up with the hook end, and push the valve down with the handle end.

Ray

Waaayyyyyyy tooooooooo smart for me

Rick

PS Also; keep the ballast valve lubricated so it slides easily

[ALX357]

Very interesting ideas in this thread, but before you draw it to a conclusion Jim, the one thing not mentioned is the next time you need to open/close the ballast valve, don't open the captains seat, USE A BOAT HOOK OVER THE STERN Pull the valve up with the hook end, and push the valve down with the handle end.

Ray

THAT IS THE SIMPLEST and best idea for operating the gate valve. I have a plastic hook type pole, and cut most of the nose off, so it presents mainly the hook and flat outer edge of the hook. It has worked great for me the last 5 years.
I even modified the boat hook to be no longer than the transom height, and attached to clips to the transom area near the valve handle, and tethered it to the rudder cleat with a releasable line, but that line is long enough to allow operation of the boat hook, which is basically dedicated to that job. I shortened the handle end, and reattached the handle, but it's shaft still can be extended if needed for a boat hook purpose as well.



If you are real observant, you will notice that the seat is hinged opposite to the factory side. I found it easier go up the ladder, lift the seat, and walk forward thru the transom and straight ahead on the port side of the pedestal, which path is clear of the seat skirt, and motor controls, and rather than have to make an "S" shaped path to the cabin from the ladder.
The re-hinge job is one I would NOT recommend to anyone else, due to the unexpected consequences of having to also re-locate the backstay to the port side, and the fiberglass & gelcoat work that had to be done to the seat to make it seat properly once re-hinged. But it shows a lapse of planning in the original design, to have the seat hinged on the same side as the ladder, where your lifting leverage on the seat is poor, and the back side of the seat is in the way when lifted.