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I store our M26 on its trailer for much of the year. I frequently wonder whether to leave the rear (and V-berth) ballast valve open. In case it is considered relevant, our location is coastal Vancouver Island.

Leaning me toward 'closed' - is concern over small animal and insect entry. I could put fine-mesh screen over it.

Leaning me toward 'open' - is the thought that, since constant exposure to salt water is bad for the outer hull surface (eg. blistering); maybe it is also bad for the inner surface ... and one might hope that 'open' would gradually dry the ballast tank out.

There must be some evidence for one choice or the other ... but I have not found it on 'search'.

Kittiwake

My gate valve is currently open (I think!) but the next time I go out to the boat (backyard) I'm going to close it. If it hasn't dried out by now it's not going to and while I don't think any critters will crawl in there I'd rather not give them the opportunity.

FWIW

Russell

We close the inner plug to keep the stink out of the cabin.
We just crack open the gate valve to allow for any evaporation and to keep critters out.

Also FWIW

I just crack the valve to allow some air flow and still protect the open/close rod as much as possible. Sure don't need it bent.

A mouth ball at the opening will keep everything away from that valve. Rodents, bugs, etc. You could also wrap it in a wire mesh and a stocking.

I keep it crack open.

I use a rag as a curtain, in front of it, using Duck Tape to have it hold on. Keeps insects away in spring.

I then use a desk ventilator I install above the vent at the bow, I put a metal funnel on top of it ( the kind used for pouring car oil, with a long flexible neck) a towel to keep it air tight, a flexible hose that carries the circulating ballast air out, and leave it there for the winter. Once in a while I put snowshoes on, and go press my ear on the hull to listen to the noise indicating it is still working.

When I take the boat out for the winter, I raise the nose way, way, up to have the remaining ballast water at the lowest point. I then pump out the water. I dry out the remaining water with a Cham-Wow I put in and dry out about five times, until it is dry, dry, dry...

I then level the trailer, and put it on wood blocks to avoid puncturing the wheels bearings over the winter.

Then the ballast ventilator.

Finally, I have timers and heaters inside, to raise the inside temperature a little and hence have the moisture evacuated.

Ending it all with the snow protection. No shoveling, no damage, and access all winter long.

I leave it wide open. Keeps it dry. Critters will all get washed out the next time it goes in the water. By leaving it default-open, the boat fills with ballast automatically if I forget about the valve momentarily, which is what I want.

In The winter in our northern climate . Its not a free place for chipmunks or anything else to live for the winter.. I close it.. Might well wash out if one died might not? Its closed..

I travel with it wide open but only leave the outside valve open a crack to let air in/out when parked in her 'boat house'. Too many field critters would make it a home-- even with the barn cat diligently protecting Galactica!

...Doug

Great Looking Boat! Blue is my favorite hull color.

There you go Kittiwake,

Some do, some don't, some juusssst a little. So, no matter what your final decision is, you know you are not alone

By the way, I leave the ballast valve open all winter. If you are really worried about something making a home in the ballast, secure a wire mesh over the opening. I never have, but it may give you peace of mind.

Ray

~~_/)~~

Lubricating the gate blade and shaft prior to closing, then leaving the valve in the closed position, provides the best protection for all valve components including the seals in my opinion.

Marc

The aft valve is not located at the ballast lowest point.

I pump out 1-2 gallons of water every autumn. If you do not pump out that water, the ballast will not dry out even if you leave the aft valve open. The water will just freeze.

You have to evacuate the water and allow for or force a draft in the ballast if you wish to keep the fiber surface dry. Leaving a single valve open will not do it. Without a draft, the water will evaporate then condense inside the ballast, but will not leave it.

The reduced sailing speed allows for plenty of time for reflection.

GaryMayo wrote:Great Looking Boat! Blue is my favorite hull color.