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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Another newby question-water ballsts.

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jlannutti
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/12/2007 : 15:14:12

The Marina finally splashed my 250WB - Hull 360 but new to me. While waiting for them to step the mast....that was part of the deal I made. I decided to fill the ballast tank. I must say I expected a much more dramatic event. I thoiught I would hear water gushing in, air gushing out and that I'd be scrambling to get the valve closed to prevent over-filling.

After removing the plug in the anchor locker I backed the wing nut off the rubber washer. It looked as though I had 1" - 1 1/8" of thread showing. I then pushed the threaded rod down. I am assuming that I pushed the intake plate on the boittom of the boat down the same distance which should let the water just pour in. I heard a barely audible sound of water and no noise of air escaping from the tube in the anchor locker. I could feel the air coming when I put my wet hand near the opening but not enough to hear. While I anxiously awaited the ability to see the water eventually move up the tube visible in the forward storage area I was disappointed. After about 10 to 15 minutes I finally started to move about the boat rocking side to side and fore and aft hoping to move an air bubble or something. I did eventually hear gurgling and the boat seems to be sitting properly on it's water line but I never did see the water level rise into that tube. The air no longer was detectable escaping. I finally popured in a few ounces of bleach, then about a pint or two of fresh water, and then closed it all up. I figure that once the mast is stepped and I motor the few hundred yards to my slip I'll try again.
Has this happened to anyone else?
Is there a likely obstruction from debris or growth in the tank or tube?
Any ideas?

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bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2007 : 16:58:36

Joe,

I dry-slip my boat so fill/drain my ballast every time I take her out. Sounds like you experienced a normal fill. It is a very quiet operation. The only way I know when the tank if full is by, like you, checking the threaded rod and closely listening to see if any air is still being forced out.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2007 : 06:30:47

Joe, Sounds normal to me also, I filled "Brandy" last Tuesday
and that's about what I expected to hear.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2007 : 07:41:14

As Bren said, you pretty much had a normal event! Someone suggest that I put a kettle whistle in the vent tube, but it's not worth the effort. Just leave the valves open for about 10 mins (about the time it takes to park the truck and trailer) once in the water, then close them up tight.

When you take the boat out of the water, it's a good idea to check that there's no garbage (seaweed etc) between the valve plate and the hull.

Paul

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jlannutti
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2007 : 08:52:49

Thank you all for the quick replies. I was a little concerned. A kettle whistle wouyld never work as the air comes out much too slowly. I feel more confidant now that there is no tube obstruction

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2007 : 09:05:11

Paul, With Brandy she settles about 2-3 inches in the water when filling the ballast tank. Very noticeable with the stripe running lendthwise. Brandy is not heavily loaded either.

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jlannutti
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2007 : 21:07:38

After my boat sat in the water for a few days I again opened the water inlet and the air plug...it gurgled and took on a little more water...seems fine now. The mast is still not stepped. The marina is less than cooperative. This purchase has been a nightmare from the start. I'll be happy with the boat eventually but they've sure sucked any new boat excitement out of the experience so far.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2007 : 21:17:25

Joe, you should have no issues raising the mast on the water if you decide on it. Is the mast on the boat? Getting it from the shore to the boat would be an issue, but one a bunch of buddies could ease.
Not sure if your model came with the removable baby stays used to stop mast sway during the raising/lowering process.

Get the boat under sail and that excitement will well up!

Paul

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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.