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I found a good amount of water in the starboard bilge, right under the aftmost seat in the dinette. I attributed this to perhaps the drain being clauged, as it was, and I shot some fresh water right in there when washing the boat down. It may have backed the sea water up into the bilge. I went ahead and pumped it out with my wet/dry shop vac.. about 1.5 gallons. After the next time out, I saw the water in there again, this time about 1/2 gallon pumped out, but the trip was also much shorter. I inspected the hull thoroughly and see nothing that could be an external leak. Is it possible my water ballast is leaking internally? Any ideas on where the water might be coming from? Thanks.

Leon

Sounds a bit scary Leon.

I hope it's nothing serious.

I hate to say it sounds like the tank, but...

I have the same problem.

i have the same problem, but its not salt water, then i think it is rainy water coming through the join between the deck and the hull

my ballast is already empty so no leak possible...

delevi wrote: Is it possible my water ballast is leaking internally? Any ideas on where the water might be coming from? Thanks.

Leon

Would this work? Drop some dye tablets into the ballast tank, and see if the bilge water shows any matching color. I would be a little fearful of a cracked ballast tank. A Mac will roll over if the bilge gets enough water to throw the weight over to one side during a tack.
Hope you find the solution to the problem

Me too Leon! I'm going to close my ballast valve , and then blow some air in under light pressure 4-5 psi. If it works I'll let you know. I tried shaking talc along the bottom , and then looked for tracks. Mixed results, meaning I'm not sure if it fell down to the bottom or was washed by trickling water? This weekend I'm going to try it again with baking powder because baking powder leaves nice big bubbles when in contact with water. I'll report any success.

Chain-plates, both sides for shrouds and also for the forestay. after I sealed mine I am dry on both sides. There was a small 3/4" hole in the wall between the storage under V berth and the front where I believe the flotation is and the water leaking by forestay chain plates ended under the aft starboard seat. but I am still getting water at the very back of the boat. I am yet to find from where.

Zoran

Zoran wrote:I am still getting water at the very back of the boat. I am yet to find from where.

On the 26M, check the hose, and hose clamps, from the OBM splash-well to where it tees with the hose from the sink, to the thru-hull.
I got a new 26M in that had water inside after a rainstorm.
Water apparently ran from the cockpit into the splash-well, thru the hose that was split, into the bilge.
I was scooping out the water and dumping it into the sink where it drained aft back into the bilge again.
When I realized I wasn't making much progress I checked the hoses and found the leak.

Bill, where did you say you put that tube for checking the water ballast on my boat. I still have'nt found it. All the best George.

Albion,

My boat came with a rigid clear plastic tube, which I presume was for checking ballast. I've never used it, and don't see why you'd need to.

When my tank is full, there is water in the dam under the vee berth. I just don't put the plug in until I see water there...

Thats for removing rum ballast of course...

albion wrote:Bill, where did you say you put that tube for checking the water ballast on my boat. I still have'nt found it. All the best George.

Under the V-berth; port side; aft of the vent hole;
I've been driving my Durango. They sure don't make them like they did my '53 Dodge M37's.

Thanks for all the replies.

I called the dealer and he seriously doubts that it's a ballast leak. They only recall 2 boats which had such leaks and they were factory defects and showed up right away. He told me to check the rudder bracket bolts going through the transom, the drainage hoses and the rub rail. Drain hoses and rudder brackets seem fine, though I'll apply some 5200 to the bracket bolts in & out and around the frame of the brackets. The rub rail seems to have plenty of cracks in the sealant so that may be the culprit. Will run 5200 all along the rub rail & shroud chain plates & forestay plate, just to be sure and then keep my fingers crossed.

For Bill: In the odd chance it's a ballast leak, do you know if MacGregor would stand behind it. I am out of the 2-year warranty.

Thanks again,
Leon

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:

albion wrote:Bill, where did you say you put that tube for checking the water ballast on my boat. I still have'nt found it. All the best George.

Under the V-berth; port side; aft of the vent hole;
I've been driving my Durango. They sure don't make them like they did my '53 Dodge M37's.

Bill, I am glad they dont make them like that M37 what an old clunker, bad brakes lousy suspension and even worse gas milage. And definitely no comfort.Just enjoy it.When are you coming to teach me how to sail my boat as I never got a chance for you to sail it with me?. Keep up the good sales & after market advice.George.