26X: Water ballast leaking...?

[kurz]

Hello
My friends has a leaking problem:

When the ballast vent is closed, the ballast tank stays complete empty, even over night. No water in the boat.

If you open the ballast vent, water comes in after some hours.

It seems like it is prooved that it comes from the ballast tank. Yes or NO in this situation?

Does anybody has a good idea how to get the leak out?

Thanks - kurz

[island808]

Are you saying that water is entering the bilge?

Also possible your change in waterline with the ballast in is putting a leak below water level.

The test for leaky tank would be to put some dye into the ballast tank and see if you get colored water in your bilge.

[Russ]

We need some clarification. Is the ballast leaking into the bilge or just filling with water?

I don't think I've ever heard of a ballast leaking into the boat. Gate valves are notorious for leaking.

[Don T]

Hello,
Depends on the year but the gate valve or the center fill valve under the step (early model) might be leaking. That's IF the ballast tank is filling up.
If you have the center fill valve and you leave it open water will come out past the threaded rod and fill into your bilge. If either valve is leaking and the grommet at the top of the center fill valve rod does not seal it will leak into the bilge. I keep my rear gate valve lubed with silicone dielectric compound (silicone plumbers grease will work too) for a perfect seal and long life.

In any case it is not wise to leave the vent open as water can (does in my boat) leak into the bilge after the tank is full. When I'm heavily laden for a multi-week trip my center vent turns into a geyser.

[kurz]

Hello, thanks for responses.

Yes, water is leaking in the bilge.

I guess it is a 2003, so I never heard from my friend from center valves (actually he is on a longer sailing trip in the medierranean).

[island808]

Geyser... Yup. Today i had the kid check the ballast tank; as i keep it on the lift with the ballast in, wanted to be sure my valve was holding. With the heating and cooling, when my kid pulled the valve up front (2002 ) he got a face full. Just a little splash powered by warm air. Pretty fun. It can force its way out if your plug is shot. My original was dried up and it allowed a lot of water to splash up with all the sloshing back and forth.

[kurz]

Hi all

Now I know the reason why water was in the bilge.

The boat seller installed a battery loader. To mount the loader he put some screws IN the ballast tank!!! put some seal on... and it worked for 10 years. But the... water came in...

[Cougar]

At least the leak is located now. Biggest problem solved. Rather careless of the previous owner to mount a battery charger to the ballast tank.

[kurz]

At least the leak is located now. Biggest problem solved. Rather careless of the previous owner to mount a battery charger to the ballast tank.

Well it was not the previous owner, but the local seller/distributor made this mistake in a brand new boat!

[Catigale]

The correct install would be to glass in some wood to the ballast tank surface, then attach the charger with screws to the wood, so that it would not penetrate the ballast tank, of course.