H240 ballast tank

[familyrapp]

I bought an H240 las year and had no problems all season. This year I put it in the water, and the ballast tank only filled about halfway. I wasn't far from the dock, so I motored over to troubleshoot. I dove under the boat to verify the valve was open. I ended up closing the valve and filling the tank with a hose from inside the cockpit using the vent opening. I couldn't measure the amount of water, but it took at least 15 minutes to overflow. I capped it and left the boat overnight. Next day, the water was no longer at the top, so I used the garden hose again. This time it only took 2 minutes to fill. However, based on the waterline discoloration on the hull, the boat still looks like it's riding high - maybe 4-6 inches, and it's definitely heeling slightly to starboard. I inspected all of the storage holds and battery area and found no water. Where did it go? Any ideas? My son and I motored it for about 15 minutes under load to test some new fuel lines, and the boat seemed to handle ok.

thanks!

Mike

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Have spoken to the poster. Awaiting a few photos

 

[Boatnic]

Hello, I own a Hunter 23.5 which is nearly identical to the 24. I had to replace the gasket on my ballast because it was worn out. The valve is close to the centerline of the boat so I never heeled far enough for it to lose water. The water level in the ballast appears to be the same as the water level of the entire boat. The water in the ballast is not supposed to be higher than sea level I believe. When at this level it is not all the way to the top of the ballast interior port.
I hope this helps. However, I always defer to Crazy Dave, He's the guru on these boats!
Martin in Tulsa

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The poster was filling the waterballast with fresh water from the hose through the air vent. More water going into tank vs air escaping. Simply put when filling this way you have to aalow the air to burp or air to escape from the air vent. I think that is the problem but have requested a couple of photos to be sure.

I advised the owner I fill up the gas tank on my lawnmower and then watch the level of gas going down as air is escaping. That will occur when filling with fresh water via hose in the air vent vs fro the bottom of the hull

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

As I suspected noted above. You have to burp the tank to get the air out thru the air vent if filling with fresh water via air vent. Boat is fine.