Has anyone developed a system to blow the ballast on a water ballast boat? I'm thinking some type of air valve and 12v air pump to mechanically pressurize the ballast tank to remove the ballast while the boat is in the water. Another option might be to pump the water out. As delivered, the boats use a gravitational system which requires that the boat be retrived before removing the water from the ballast tank. This means the boat draws more water when being retrieved than when launched. On marginal boat ramps, this could be the difference between a good day and a real barnyard day.
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Paul Housman
water ballast problem
Mike, the last time I drained my ballast we pulled her out on a ramp that was less than optimal due to the drop in water level on the lake we sail. We only pulled her up enough to drain the ballast( about 6 feet). After she was empty we backed her back in. My truck did not have the oomph to pull her all the way up the ramp with the ballast full. I read about others trying those drill pumps to do it. I think I'd rather spend my time working around my boat then huddled in the cabin with hoses hanging over the side. Paul S/v Linda Bell 95 H96
Mike, the last time I drained my ballast we pulled her out on a ramp that was less than optimal due to the drop in water level on the lake we sail. We only pulled her up enough to drain the ballast( about 6 feet). After she was empty we backed her back in. My truck did not have the oomph to pull her all the way up the ramp with the ballast full. I read about others trying those drill pumps to do it. I think I'd rather spend my time working around my boat then huddled in the cabin with hoses hanging over the side. Paul S/v Linda Bell 95 H96
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Corky
water ballast
I would pump it out from above. I have used two systems. One using a 12V pump hooked to my battery. The other plugged into 110. I would really be afraid of how much pressure it would take to blow out. water pressure increases 0.5 psi's per foot you desend. ( I sucba dive). Therefore at 18" draft you would to have 1.5 psi's plus into your tank to push the water out. That does not sound like a lot but the tank wasn't designed to be pumped out. I think it does help loading though I have done it both ways. corky
I would pump it out from above. I have used two systems. One using a 12V pump hooked to my battery. The other plugged into 110. I would really be afraid of how much pressure it would take to blow out. water pressure increases 0.5 psi's per foot you desend. ( I sucba dive). Therefore at 18" draft you would to have 1.5 psi's plus into your tank to push the water out. That does not sound like a lot but the tank wasn't designed to be pumped out. I think it does help loading though I have done it both ways. corky
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Tom
Pump air in or pump water out...
I have used a foot pump (used to inflate air an mattress and rubber raft) to pump air into the water ballast through the vent hole, displacing the water through the OPEN valve. Works well and you get plenty of excersize! A 12v High volume, low pressure pump is available from Seveylor that should work well, too. I know people that regularly pump the water out of the ballast tank by placing a hose in the vent hole and discharging it through the sink or out the cockpit, leaving the valve closed so that water cannot enter the tank from below. Fair winds, Tom
I have used a foot pump (used to inflate air an mattress and rubber raft) to pump air into the water ballast through the vent hole, displacing the water through the OPEN valve. Works well and you get plenty of excersize! A 12v High volume, low pressure pump is available from Seveylor that should work well, too. I know people that regularly pump the water out of the ballast tank by placing a hose in the vent hole and discharging it through the sink or out the cockpit, leaving the valve closed so that water cannot enter the tank from below. Fair winds, Tom
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Ray Bowles
Mike, the best method for retriving our H26
with the ballast tank full is the use the extended tongue feature on out Hunter trailer. We launch with the trailer in the short mode. When we pull out we extend the trailer tongue by about 8 to 10 feet. We get the boat out enough to drop the water ballast, drain and then refloat. Then we pull it up enough to get the bow into the trailer front vee stopper, tie down and go home. To mess around trying to blow ballast, when we have the extendable tongue, would in my opinion be too risky. The ballast tank is probably not designed for positive pressure, and just a little too much could totally destroy the internal seams. The pressure to blow the tank must also be high enough to displace the weight of the boat riding above the water line. Scarry!
with the ballast tank full is the use the extended tongue feature on out Hunter trailer. We launch with the trailer in the short mode. When we pull out we extend the trailer tongue by about 8 to 10 feet. We get the boat out enough to drop the water ballast, drain and then refloat. Then we pull it up enough to get the bow into the trailer front vee stopper, tie down and go home. To mess around trying to blow ballast, when we have the extendable tongue, would in my opinion be too risky. The ballast tank is probably not designed for positive pressure, and just a little too much could totally destroy the internal seams. The pressure to blow the tank must also be high enough to displace the weight of the boat riding above the water line. Scarry!
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Rick Webb
Shop Vac
I read a while ago that someone used a shopvac to blow the water out, made sense to me. As for the pressure created by doing this as long as the valve is open I doubt it would be to much for the tank to handle. After all what happen to the pressure in the tank when the temperature fluctuates all that water in there that is not very compressible is going to expand and put pressure on the tank much more than blowing air into the tank with the valve open.
I read a while ago that someone used a shopvac to blow the water out, made sense to me. As for the pressure created by doing this as long as the valve is open I doubt it would be to much for the tank to handle. After all what happen to the pressure in the tank when the temperature fluctuates all that water in there that is not very compressible is going to expand and put pressure on the tank much more than blowing air into the tank with the valve open.
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Matt
If just to get off the ramp
In some parts of Florida the ramps are short and the tidal range is looong. When I'm short on water below the hull I do what others sugest, winch her on the trailer within 2 feet of "home" pull the truck forward a few feet, slowly, with valves open and wait 2-4 minutes.The boat does NOT have to clear the water. then I back down the ramp until the aft quarter is suported again by water and I cranck her home. I am however interested if pumping out the balast can help give me an unfair advantage while racing (for fun) on light wind days... Good luck, and be carful on the ramps!
In some parts of Florida the ramps are short and the tidal range is looong. When I'm short on water below the hull I do what others sugest, winch her on the trailer within 2 feet of "home" pull the truck forward a few feet, slowly, with valves open and wait 2-4 minutes.The boat does NOT have to clear the water. then I back down the ramp until the aft quarter is suported again by water and I cranck her home. I am however interested if pumping out the balast can help give me an unfair advantage while racing (for fun) on light wind days... Good luck, and be carful on the ramps!
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HARRY PLAGANIS
Water Pump
Dear Mike, On our 26' we have used my 12Volt water pump to get the water out a few times if the tide goes out to far for the ramp at the ocean. It takes about 1/2 hour to get most of it out. The pump is also used for my on demand hot water heater, what a treat .
Dear Mike, On our 26' we have used my 12Volt water pump to get the water out a few times if the tide goes out to far for the ramp at the ocean. It takes about 1/2 hour to get most of it out. The pump is also used for my on demand hot water heater, what a treat .
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