Hi Group, I'm not presently a Hunter owner but am very interested in a 260. I live and will sail on the Mississippi river which is a long way from clean. With the fluctuating water levels and low water levels generally I think a water ballast boat would work best. My question is - can one fill the ballast tanks with clean fresh water from a hose before launching. Is the extra weight a problem for the boat before it is bouyant. And, if the ballast tank is filled with clean water can it remain in the tanks for the season? The other option is filling the tanks with Miss. water - that's starting out badly I would think. From the Muddy Miss. Jim
Dirty ballast water
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Yep
I fill my WB tank with "muddy" Maumee River water each April/May along with a gallon of bleach (same as Rick). We've had a very hot summer up near Lake Erie (perfect for dirty water start growing things). When I cracked open my WB tank last weekend it still had that "Spring Breeze" smell from the clorine bottle last spring. I think it's agood way to go, and I haven't seen any corrosion on the SS parts yet, either.
I fill my WB tank with "muddy" Maumee River water each April/May along with a gallon of bleach (same as Rick). We've had a very hot summer up near Lake Erie (perfect for dirty water start growing things). When I cracked open my WB tank last weekend it still had that "Spring Breeze" smell from the clorine bottle last spring. I think it's agood way to go, and I haven't seen any corrosion on the SS parts yet, either.
Use a little bleach
I sailed out of Moline (Marquis Harbor) on my 26 for 3 years before moving to Wisconsin, I always flooded down from the river and added some bleach (quart bottle works nicely). You could fill with fresh water if you had a small nozzle, but it would take forever and would be tough to vent while filling.
I sailed out of Moline (Marquis Harbor) on my 26 for 3 years before moving to Wisconsin, I always flooded down from the river and added some bleach (quart bottle works nicely). You could fill with fresh water if you had a small nozzle, but it would take forever and would be tough to vent while filling.
Fresh water
I always use fresh water for ballast, filled from topside. But not before launching. She runs around the marina just fine without water until I get over to the slip and fill'er up.
I always use fresh water for ballast, filled from topside. But not before launching. She runs around the marina just fine without water until I get over to the slip and fill'er up.
260 water ballast
Do not fill the tank while the boat is on the trailer. You may or may not hurt the boat, but you will place an extra burden on the trailer and tow vehicle which will shorten the life of each. You can get away with having a full tank when recovering the boat on the trailer because you would usually be draining as you haul out. If in doubt yell for "Crazy Dave". (He's on vacation until Tuesday.) Steve
Do not fill the tank while the boat is on the trailer. You may or may not hurt the boat, but you will place an extra burden on the trailer and tow vehicle which will shorten the life of each. You can get away with having a full tank when recovering the boat on the trailer because you would usually be draining as you haul out. If in doubt yell for "Crazy Dave". (He's on vacation until Tuesday.) Steve
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