I have a Catalina 250wb and want to install a pump for the ballast because the boat is too heavy for my lift with the ballast full. Anyone installed a pump that could offer some advise? Thanks
Catalina 250wb pump for ballast
- Thread starter patraylin
- Start date
I would think there is a drain plug. Put it on the lift so it does not sink, pull the drain plug and then lift the boat slowly letting the water drain out of the ballast tank. Lift a little, let it drain, lift a little more, let it drain......
Thanks for your reply. Yes the C250 water can drain from the ballast but to do so you have to raise it completely out of the water thus my problem. I want to install a pump to dump the water out of the ballast but no sure how.
On the Mac 26S, you can open a valve on the bottom of the boat and apply air pressure to an access hole at the top of the tank. Its takes about 1 psi of pressure. I think someone once calculated about .8 psi minimum. A little higher than 1 psi will pump the water out of the tank faster but you dont want to go too high in case you do something dumb like I did once - forget to open the bottom valve. 1 psi means you can use a common 12 volt air mattress pump. On my boat it takes about 10 minutes and then I can see air bubble coming from the underside of the boat indicating that the ballast tank is empty.
There is a water inlet port at the bottom of the tank and a vent port in the anchor locker. The Catalina owner's manual indicates to open both ports and to load the boat unto the trailer and start pulling it out. Water should drain out in about 7 minutes. You may need a stronger lift or raise it real slow in stages.