Is it possible for H26 ballast tank to not fill completely?

[rade0041]

Hello,

I just got my boat in this weekend. I feel like it is sitting too high in the water. I left the ballast valve open a long time. Is it possible for it to not fill all the way or have an air bubble trapped somehow? Or am I just crazy? Thanks!

 

[rgranger]

It does seem high...

I did a google image search

It looks like you are riding about an inch high.

Try rocking the boat back and forth and maybe fore and aft and see if you dislodge something (a big air bubble?)

 

[rade0041]

I was looking at the same images. Except for the one that looks like it is sitting on the bottom they all look lower than mine. I rocked it quite a bit while I was putting the mast up but may have closed the valve by then. I can see water in the vent hole for the tank. The stern is about where it should be but the bow is high. I guess I will have to see if I can get an air bubble out this weekend.

 

[rgranger]

Try a PM to Crazy Dave Condon. He is on this forum. He used to sell these boats and is a good resource on this site.

 

[Justin_NSA]

If it's not level when it fills, it might be possible to trap some air. My Mac 26S manual said you should be able to stick a finger in the vent hole and touch water when it's full.
Could it be the way your gear is stowed?

 

[walt]

I dont have that boat.. but for the tank to fill there has to be a vent open at the bottom of the boat for water to come in - plus a vent at the top of the tank for displaced air to come out. If only one vent out of the two is open, it may not fill all the way.

woops. just saw this

I can see water in the vent hole for the tank

Maybe everything is fine..

 

[rade0041]

If it's not level when it fills, it might be possible to trap some air. My Mac 26S manual said you should be able to stick a finger in the vent hole and touch water when it's full.
Could it be the way your gear is stowed?

Can't be the gear... nothing in there but the cushions right now.

It could be that it wasn't level when it started to fill. I had the tank valve open when I launched it. Here in MN the DNR will ticket you if you show up to the boat launch with the plug in your boat. I assume the same would go for having the ballast tank closed So I just leave it open. I suppose it is possible that it started to fill while at an angle on the trailer and trapped an air bubble. Maybe I should have closed the valve right before I launched it. If I can't work out an air bubble I may have to haul it out, drain it and launch it again I guess.

 

[rgranger]

Here in MN the DNR will ticket you if you show up to the boat launch with the plug in your boat.

WHAT!

Is there some hidden (to me) logic in that law or is this bureaucracy run amok?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

First are you opening and taking off the drain bail plug to the left for air to enter or escape the ballast tank? The second question is the wing nut once loosened, is the threaded rod moved down and if not, put your foot on it and push it down. Could be that the gasket is stuck to the hull not allowing the fill to completely open. Please advise. Then I will go from there. The only other thing is the bottom stripe is wrong on the boat and that has happened in the past but will need some measuring on the side of the hull to the water line from other owners (can anyone help us with this information)

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

rgranger, can you measure at the bow to the water line scum as your boat is on the trailer and one other point at mid ship or better yet the shroud chain plate area. Specifically from the lip of the hull to deck joint to the water line. Thank you sir.

 

[rade0041]

WHAT!

Is there some hidden (to me) logic in that law or is this bureaucracy run amok?

I know. It the whole invasive species thing. My cousin actually got a ticket for this on our lake here. I wouldn't have believed it otherwise. Apparently they assume that if the plug is in you must have never taken it out from that last lake you were in. Maybe it was just this one DNR guy that went a little crazy but since I use that exact same boat launch I don't take any chances.

 

[rade0041]

rgranger, can you measure at the bow to the water line scum as your boat is on the trailer and one other point at mid ship or better yet the shroud chain plate area. Specifically from the lip of the hull to deck joint to the water line. Thank you sir.

Dave, I assume you meant me (Rade0041). I am not near the boat now but can try to measure this weekend.

 

[rgranger]

rgranger, can you measure at the bow to the water line scum as your boat is on the trailer and one other point at mid ship or better yet the shroud chain plate area. Specifically from the lip of the hull to deck joint to the water line. Thank you sir.

I can but not until Saturday.

 

[rgranger]

Dave, I assume you meant me (Rade0041). I am not near the boat now but can try to measure this weekend.

I think he meant me...

 

[rgranger]

... invasive species thing.

That actually makes sense. I was picturing a 14' aluminum Jon boat with the drain plug in place and couldn't imaging any logical reason for ticketing a guy for plugging his boat BEFORE launching....

 

[Justin_NSA]

When we bought our Hunter at another KS lake, the hull had to be chemically washed to ensure that we weren't carrying any larvae to our lake. We already have an infestation so I don't see the point.
But yeah, ballast tanks are a concern for the park.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I meant both just to be sure to see if the water line on radoo41 boat is in line with rgranger boat. sometimes I have seen manufacturers screw up the water line and caught several to advise mfg. as such.

 

[Dennis Kitchen]

Many boats have the water line raised by bottom paint so;
1) it reflects fully loaded displacement
And
2) you're not having to clean the tannic acid stains off the gel coate every year at haul out.

 

[Kermit]

I have a hard time believing the tank would somehow only partially fill. Mine fills to within an inch or so and splashes a little water once full. My first thought was the paint job. That's my guess. That's assuming the fill valve and air vent are fully open.

 

[Capt jgw]

Those other pictures could also be of boats loaded to the gunnels with gear. OP said his boat is empty. Doesn't take a lot of weight to lower a boat that size an inch or two.
As to the invasive species issue, the horse is already out of the barn in a lot of areas regarding Zebra Mussels and Water Milfoil, but who knows what other species may be out there waiting to get in that we don't even know about yet.