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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Water Ballast Air Vent Plug

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slaedlein
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/25/2006 : 22:07:46

According to the owner's manual, I need to remove the vent plug to allow water to enter the ballast tank before sailing. Not a problem as the boat did not come with a plug. What size plug should I use and where can I get one? Is it safe to sail without the plug?
The other question is what the other hole in the anchor locker used for? I assume it is to drain the locker, but because the two holes are identical, I am wondering.

Only a few more small projects before our first shake down. No name yet. Like Arlyn, I will let the name find the ship.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 22:18:22

Welcome to the group. Glad to see another Florida sailor around here.

There are several 'holes' in the anchor locker on the WB.
Stbd side is the water ballast air vent. Not sure if leaving it out would harm anything. I'll measure our 'bung' tomorrow, it's about the size of a wine bottle cork.

to port of the air vent is the air vent for the water tank.
And aft of that is the chromed cap of the water tank filler.
Then there is the hole in the base of the locker to allow draining of the anchor locker.

I saw some rubber bungs for the WB tank vent at a local marine flea maarket a few weeks ago.

Paul.

Edited by - britinusa on 04/25/2006 22:19:24

slaedlein
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 22:26:38

Thanks Paul, my 250 is a 1997, so there may be some differences. I will check again, but seem to remember only 2 vents in my locker.

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JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2006 : 05:00:24

I have a '95 and there are only two holes. One is the vent for the water ballast tank and the other is the drain for the anchor locker. Whether on the hard or in the water, I don't plug either hole. I don't know why you would. I did find some replacement wine bottle corks that fit perfectly in those holes. I use them to keep water from coming back into the tank after I pump it out prior to dragging the boat up the ramp. All that water makes a big difference in weight!!!!

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2006 : 06:55:29

My 95 WB sits right outside my kitchen window ready for launch 6 May.
I believe I still have the original plug in the vent for the water ballast. It is a compressable rubber plug with the over the center mechanism to lock it in place. I dont see any problem in not useing the plug either. The other hole for the anchor locker drain also serves as a drain for the channel around the forward hatch and any other water that drains in that area.

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AllenJ
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2006 : 15:28:03

The routine is to open the water ballast inlet valve and remove the air vent plug once the boat is in the water to permit the water ballast tank to fill. If you then close the inlet valve all is well. If you leave the inlet valve open and do not replace the vent plug then sailing in a stiff breeze may actually cause some loss of water ballast and make the boat handle a little more tenderly as a result. This has not happened to me but did happen to an acquaintence who sailed a WB 250 for 4 years or so. After his experience I generally close that inlet valve and replace the expansion plug once I am ready to get underway. (If you don't put that plug back and you are like me you will eventually lose it anyway!) Be interested to know if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Incidentally, the air vent on my 95 WB looks just like the drain hole, but is higher and on the port side of the anchor locker. Hope that helps.

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slaedlein
1st Mate

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USA
51 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2006 : 20:53:08

What a store house of knowledge!!! Thanks. Incidentily, I am also looking at my boat out the kitchen window and plan for a May 6 shake-down.

Any sugestions on how to pump the water out for loading back on the trailer

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JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2006 : 22:17:52

I use a 12 volt ultra cheap air mattress pump in the vent hole. You can find them for less than 10 bucks. Takes less than 5 minutes. Of course you open the fill valve first. I then shove a cork in the hole to keep the water from coming back in. Makes all the difference when you're trying to drag the boat up the ramp.

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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.