What is this hose for?

[Wingnuts]

I’ve already posted a couple of times on here and several people have been super helpful. I feel like I should give a little back story. I fell for the almost free boat trap. I found a 1990 Mac 26D for next to nothing and thought that it was a shame it wasn’t out on the water. It hasn’t seen water for over ten years, well except for the 1.5’ of rain water that was in the cabin. I grew up in Florida sailing every thing from small Hobie’s to a Hunter 360. I spent 8 years in the Navy as a diesel mechanic and worked in a boat yard while putting myself through college for a computer science degree. Since then I’ve owned countless powerboats but no sailboats. I’ve never owned or sailed a MacGregor or a water ballast boat so I’m a nubie I guess.

So now that I’ve got that all out while cleaning my new found treasure I ran across this 1.25” clear hose in the bilge under the aft birth on the starboard side. One end is not connected to anything and the other end goes up over the water ballast tank and disappears just aft of the water ballast fill valve compartment. The sailor in me is freaking out at the thought of an un-terminated hose just lying in the bilge. I’m thinking… maybe a vent for the water ballast but why so large, there is already a vent with a boat plug in it next to the ballast fill valve and why would it not connected routed overboard? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rgranger]

And you can't see where the other end goes????

What happens when you yank on it?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Assuming the mystery end isn’t accessible, try blowing compressed air into it or pulling a vacuum on it, either of which can indicate a path to its source.

 

[shemandr]

The PO didn't want to snake his hand under the tank either?!
Hoses in a lazarette often are cockpit drains. Did you look up for a nipple that it might have been formerly attached to? Might help with your accumulating water problem.
Are there any thru hull or thru deck fittings in the vicinity?
I've never owned a water ballasted boat is I can't help you there. Good luck.

 

[Wingnuts]

And you can't see where the other end goes????

What happens when you yank on it?

It’s attached to something at the end circled. No hose Is visible from the port side bilge access.

 

[Wingnuts]

Assuming the mystery end isn’t accessible, try blowing compressed air into it or pulling a vacuum on it, either of which can indicate a path to its source.

I thought about pouring water in the freezer end and opening the ballast valve and see if it come out. Was hoping someone would say “Oh yeah, that’s the Johnson rod hose and it’s supposed to be there like that” or something. Might have to do some more digging.

 

[Wingnuts]

free end

Auto correct

 

[Wingnuts]

The PO didn't want to snake his hand under the tank either?!
Hoses in a lazarette often are cockpit drains. Did you look up for a nipple that it might have been formerly attached to? Might help with your accumulating water problem.
Are there any thru hull or thru deck fittings in the vicinity?
I've never owned a water ballasted boat is I can't help you there. Good luck.

After 8 years in the Navy I don’t tell anyone some of the places my hands have been so yeah I snaked my hand in as far as I could and no luck. The water originally came from a disconnected cock pit drain hose and 10 years (I’m assuming) of rain. The previous owner noticed the trailer sticking up in the air when he was driving by where he was storing it.