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250wb pump for ballast?

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patraylin
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/01/2016 : 13:43:29

I need to install a pump for my catalina 250wb because the boat is too heavy for my lift with the ballast full of water. Anyone done this before that can offer some advise?

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2016 : 14:42:17

Always good to empty the ballast tank before taking the boat out of the water

You may wish consider one or both methods...

1) Hand pump as per illustration (make sure you're up to it)

2) Battery operated air mattress pump as per illustration (Make sure... the batteries are full!!)

Procedure...

a) Open the hull inlet valve wide, insert either pump into the ventilation port which is located inside the anchor locker.

b) Insert tube and blow until air bubbles rise midships on either port or starboard side

b1) Close the hull inlet valve first and then stop pumping air.

c) Usually it takes approximately 7 to 15 minutes to nearly empty the ballast tank

To make things easier on your back we store on board and use an extra long clear plastic tube to prevent having to bend over while pumping

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

Edited by - zeil on 05/03/2016 15:55:57

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2016 : 08:34:27

I think Paul (britinusa) detailed how he does (did) this with his C-250 WB with an air mattress inflation pump. I don't have time to search the forum right now, but there are threads in here about it.

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

doublereefed
Navigator

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167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2016 : 10:47:54

I think I'll try the battery pump technique.

Do I need a new set of D's for every pump out?

Question, are the only in/outlets the fill on the bottom and the vent in the anchor locker? (Other than a little air around the valve handle when it's not clamped down?)

There was some discussion about damaging the ballast tank with air pressure. I can't imaging that the ballast is that fragile with regard to a little air pressure, particularly since the mattress pump will only build to a certain pressure before it just neutralizes. Just wondering.

Anything else I need to know?

Thanks!

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

Edited by - doublereefed on 08/25/2016 12:38:51

doublereefed
Navigator

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167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2016 : 12:40:13

Also, with the sails down and furled, can I pump out this ballast on the way back to the marina? 2-3 people in the boat? Or is best done tied to the dock before retrieving? I know it will be tender without the ballast...

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2016 : 14:56:44

Just to make sure it probably is the safest to air-pump the ballast tied to a dock. It only takes 10-15 minutes Have someone watch for air-bubbles midships either port, starboard or both and ready to close the valve before stopping with the airflow.

BTW we use both the battery powered Colman air-mattress and the double action hand-pump as illustrated in a previous post

However, we've motored a few times in the past without ballast for a few miles from the launching ramp to our slip location during calm weather in order to fill the tank at our slip with fresh instead of salt water.

In order to make air-pumping easier on your back we do friction-fit a piece of about 3/4 o.d. by 4 ft long or so of clear plastic tubing between the air-vent and the pump. It lets you take the pump out of the anchor locker to a more convenient space on deck.

Edited by - zeil on 08/25/2016 15:07:33

doublereefed
Navigator

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167 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2016 : 20:33:52

Henk & Johanna, thanks for the info and for the specifics. Eager to try it out. I think it will beat up the hull a lot less on retrieval, in addition to floating that much high to clear the bunks.

'95 C250 WB #61
Midway, UT

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2016 : 10:05:30

From what I've read in previous posts, you want a high volume, low pressure air pump like the air mattress pumps. A high pressure air pump might damage the ballast compartment seals and cause it to start leaking.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Edited by - dmpilc on 09/09/2016 10:06:11

zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2016 : 11:47:00

I have used a vacuum blowing air out the blow side not the vacuum in side,. with the right nozzle it works great. need one person at the vent with the vacuum and one watching for bubbles indicating ballast is empty and to close the intake valve.

Jay
Papa's Boat II
250WB #370
Blog:http://zebra50-boilingpoint.blogspot.com

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2016 : 11:53:22

quote:
Originally posted by dmpilc

From what I've read in previous posts, you want a high volume, low pressure air pump like the air mattress pumps. A high pressure air pump might damage the ballast compartment seals and cause it to start leaking.

You definitely want a leaky seal using only a low pressure pump such as those mentioned by Henk above. A tight seal or a high pressure pump could over pressurize the ballast tank and crack it. This doesn't seem like it could happen, but just a couple of PSI in the tank translates to an enormous increase across the "balloon" of the ballast tank.

Here's an interesting discussion about pressure testing fiberglass and metal fuel tanks on boats.

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.