MacGregorSailors.com

I'm waiting for my 26X to arrive and I've already ordered a replacement center ballast valve, as apparently the original is broken.

I'm wondering though, why I hear that later models has a rear valve "only", and in pics it seems my 1996 model does perhaps also have a rear valve? I'm not certain but it looks like it.

Does that mean it has 2, and later models just had the one at the back, and MacGregor removed the "center" one?

And if so, do I really need the center one or would I be better off just sealing it off?

Are you supposed to use both to fill or empty the ballast tank really fast, or...?

My '99 has the step at the companionway that would have hidden the ballast valve if it had one under it. Later ones have a ladder and no step.

Mine only has the stern valve, which is just an RV black or gray water valve. And the vent up front, in the v-berth, of course.

Drifter wrote: ↑Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:41 am I'm waiting for my 26X to arrive and I've already ordered a replacement center ballast valve, as apparently the original is broken.

I'm wondering though, why I hear that later models has a rear valve "only", and in pics it seems my 1996 model does perhaps also have a rear valve? I'm not certain but it looks like it.

Does that mean it has 2, and later models just had the one at the back, and MacGregor removed the "center" one?

And if so, do I really need the center one or would I be better off just sealing it off?

Are you supposed to use both to fill or empty the ballast tank really fast, or...?

You've got two. Here's the one on the transom.



Don't know why there are two, but I'd find out before sealing either up.

The rear valve is where the water comes in.
The other "valve" is the vent.
Somewhere around 2000 (mine is a 2000) they moved (not removed) the vent from under the hatch step to under the front v-birth bed.
They also simplified the vent to a simple hole with a plug.
A real pain to pull up the bed, pull the plug, and monitor the tank filling.
Many replace the plug with a hose fitting and run the hose to some where above the water line, like the drain for the anchor locker, or to the cockpit.

It is a much simpler design, seems it would be hard to screw it up.

leefrankpierce wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 6:40 am The rear valve is where the water comes in.
The other "valve" is the vent.

I am sure this is the right answer.

Every X has a rear ballast valve to let the water IN or OUT of the tank. In order to let the air OUT of the ballast tank, as the water comes IN, (or vice versa) you need a vent. In older boats that vent was under the stairs, in newer boats it's under the V-berth.

Might want to check out page 13 of the '95 and '96 manuals.

https://macgregorsailors.com/resources.html

I bet that the previous owner had problems with the factory valve on the bottom of the 26X.
Prob installed a 26M style valve on the transom.

I would not plug any up.. the transom would prob be much harder to seal.. just leave it as is.. and check how the bottom valve seals and works.. (maybe its locked shut..)

AD

adudinsk wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 9:36 am I bet that the previous owner had problems with the factory valve on the bottom of the 26X.
Prob installed a 26M style valve on the transom.

I would not plug any up.. the transom would prob be much harder to seal.. just leave it as is.. and check how the bottom valve seals and works.. (maybe its locked shut..)

AD

Per Tomfoolery's post recommending checking the manual; that boat had both a transom valve and a valve in the hull from the factory. You could open both for a more rapid fill. You could open the transom valve for power draining.

Appears after this model, they abandoned the hull valve, keeping only the transom valve.

Well in the process of buying it the owner said it "needed attention" and after buying said it was broken.

My impression is the rod has snapped and from what I've read that's fairly common.

I'm aware there's a drain-plug type thingy under the step as a vent, but this 'center valve' is under the water-line and is not an air vent. It seems it's on a threaded rod and you tighten it up to seal 2 holes on the underside of the hull. And presumably loosen it to let water in.

Might want to check out page 13 of the '95 and '96 manuals."

That doesn't mention anything about the ballast, but perhaps you mean page 12 where it mentions the water should be no more than 3 inches below the drain-plug hole? Yes, but that doesn't help me understand why it seems to have TWO ballast valves.

On page 15 it shows a cut-away view of the center valve. It seems it's right next to the finger-poking hole under the step. It's a rather fragile-looking setup but I can understand the basic concept.

OK, have found it... In the manual it says

"If you want to speed up the filling process, also open the gate valve on the transom by pulling upward on the valve handle. This handle is located just to the right of the engine (as you face aft). Remember to close it after filling the tank."

Ooer. So i do indeed have two valves, and it seems later models they did away with the center valve and just use the transom valve? And moved the vent plug?

Just an RV black or gray water valve

That sounds impossible to find in Borneo... Aha, I find this... does this look like it will fit? I have no idea how it's physically attached on the boat?

https://shopee.com.my/Kokoa-75mm-RV-Dum ... 4648143835

Let's check BWY...

Good job I checked!

http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/h209-1v0.htm

"Fits all M19 and 26X thru mid 1997, Newer 26X and 26M use 3" valve. This valve comes with a plastic handle installed on it. Metal handles can be purchased separately with part H206-110."

So in later boats they removed the center valve and just made the rear valve a lot bigger.

Mmm.

Well i don't know if it really needs a new one but it looks pretty barnacle-eaten so I guess I'll order a new one.



Edit:
Just seen JimmyTs post about tomfoolery's post

Edit 2: $21 for the valve is cheap enough, but over $60 for postage is painful... I'll wait till it gets here, see if if really needs one.

Edit 3 - This is the same thing, right? A 1.5" RV dump valve:





I also see this one, with a funky cable..

It's actually item 12, water ballast, which is not the page number. But, we're getting a bit picky. If I can find it, anyone should be able to.

I think you are wise to wait and see what actually needs to be replaced, since your shipping costs are so brutal. Wow! Maybe you can get a break if they ship multiple items in one box? The price of living in paradise I guess. You are safe on the center valve though. Yours is toast.

Tried linking to some Amazon items, but just got a huge gap in the post?

Yeah, I best wait till it turns up... if it turns up!

I already have a good yarn about this boat and it's not even arrived yet... the Tale of the ROC number...

I'll bore/entertain you with the tale after it arrives. For now it's still a touchy subject...

Drifter wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:21 amI also see this one, with a funky cable..

In the picture of the stern, you can see a metal loop above the dump valve. That's there for the handle extension rod, to bring the handle up above that little step area next to the OB. Mine has an extra tall extra rod, which is very handy as I can just reach over the helm seat while sitting and open or close it.

I don't know how you'd support that cable at the handle end, though. I'd just use a rod.

When the does arrive, please photograph all of these valves; I, and others would appreciate it. A picture is worth a thousand words, and all that.

Sure, no problem!

You'll probably get sick of me constantly asking silly questions

Drifter wrote: ↑Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:11 am Sure, no problem!

You'll probably get sick of me constantly asking silly questions

It seems that the questions are never really as silly as some of the responses...