I have a Hunter 240 and leave it in the water all of the time in Florida. I've have had it for 2 years now. I flush / change out the ballast water once a year with fresh (as opposed to seawater)and simply use a couple cups of clorox every few months to keep the water from smelling. I plan to continue to leave it in the water all of time for ????? years. Can anyone see a problem with this?? Does anyone else do this? Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
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David R. King
Water Ballast
Water ballast in the hull - all the time is an area of concern for me too. I have an h26. It is in tropical water all the time. I am reluctant to put chemicals (beach or anything else) in the ballast tank unless I know that they will help and not harm. Do you know that bleach is harmless? How do you put fresh water in the ballast tank? I don't have the owner's manual in front of me right now, but it is my recollection that the only available place to introduce a hose is the vent hole, and that leads more or less directly to the outside when the filler valve is open. David King
Water ballast in the hull - all the time is an area of concern for me too. I have an h26. It is in tropical water all the time. I am reluctant to put chemicals (beach or anything else) in the ballast tank unless I know that they will help and not harm. Do you know that bleach is harmless? How do you put fresh water in the ballast tank? I don't have the owner's manual in front of me right now, but it is my recollection that the only available place to introduce a hose is the vent hole, and that leads more or less directly to the outside when the filler valve is open. David King
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Mark Cooper
All the time
I've been keeping my 240 in the water for a year and a half with no problems. I change out the water- but haven't thought about fresh- and add a couple cups of bleach. No problems. I can't remember whether I read it hear, heard if from Greg at Hunter, on the TSBB forum or here on this site; but that seems to be the acceptable thing to do.
I've been keeping my 240 in the water for a year and a half with no problems. I change out the water- but haven't thought about fresh- and add a couple cups of bleach. No problems. I can't remember whether I read it hear, heard if from Greg at Hunter, on the TSBB forum or here on this site; but that seems to be the acceptable thing to do.
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Bill Welsch
I may be lazy but....
...this is our third full season (freshwater, in the water from early April through late Oct)and we have done zilch in the way of bleach, etc. We have experienced no smells or problems of any kind. Happy sailing... Bill Welsch S/V Renewal
...this is our third full season (freshwater, in the water from early April through late Oct)and we have done zilch in the way of bleach, etc. We have experienced no smells or problems of any kind. Happy sailing... Bill Welsch S/V Renewal
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Steven Gautney
I added auto anti-freeze . . .
I leave my 23.5 in the water 24/7 but put auto anti-freeze in the ballast tank via the vent last winter. I still have not drained but I will be hauling out this week for annual bottom paint and inspection (ballast will be drained). Do you haul your boat out for painting and blister inspection? Do you not have stuff growing all over the bottom?
I leave my 23.5 in the water 24/7 but put auto anti-freeze in the ballast tank via the vent last winter. I still have not drained but I will be hauling out this week for annual bottom paint and inspection (ballast will be drained). Do you haul your boat out for painting and blister inspection? Do you not have stuff growing all over the bottom?
Steve G, auto antifreeze?
Steve: I do not think that you should be adding Automobile Antifreeze to a ballast tank. I believe you could be a little more environmentally friendly by using the antifreeze that is used in water tanks (RV Antifreeze). Don't get me wrong, I no stinkin' tree hugger, but there is no sense in using poison if we don't have to. PS: Does the antifreeze keep the alge from growing?
Steve: I do not think that you should be adding Automobile Antifreeze to a ballast tank. I believe you could be a little more environmentally friendly by using the antifreeze that is used in water tanks (RV Antifreeze). Don't get me wrong, I no stinkin' tree hugger, but there is no sense in using poison if we don't have to. PS: Does the antifreeze keep the alge from growing?
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Dale Wile
Bleach, yes; antifreeze, no
I have added a full gallon of household bleach once each year since I purchased my 23.5 new in 1994. Never a problem. But, automotive antifreeze is another matter. What are you going to do with nearly a hundred gallons of water/antifreeze mix when you pull your boat and drain the ballast tank? I hope you don't dump it in any body of water in which I sail! It is against the law, and subject to stiff penalties.
I have added a full gallon of household bleach once each year since I purchased my 23.5 new in 1994. Never a problem. But, automotive antifreeze is another matter. What are you going to do with nearly a hundred gallons of water/antifreeze mix when you pull your boat and drain the ballast tank? I hope you don't dump it in any body of water in which I sail! It is against the law, and subject to stiff penalties.
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Tom
H240, In the water all the time
Thanks for your responses. FYI, I change out my water by opening the drain and adding fresh via the vent via hose. I let it run at full flow for about 1 1/2 hours while accasionally "shaking" the boat to mix it up. The process works well. Can tell via a flashlight into vent to watch water clear up. Then add clorox. Also, yes, I have both barrier and bottom paint. Any other comments relative to keeping it ballasted all the time?
Thanks for your responses. FYI, I change out my water by opening the drain and adding fresh via the vent via hose. I let it run at full flow for about 1 1/2 hours while accasionally "shaking" the boat to mix it up. The process works well. Can tell via a flashlight into vent to watch water clear up. Then add clorox. Also, yes, I have both barrier and bottom paint. Any other comments relative to keeping it ballasted all the time?
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Bob
Sailing w/water ballast
I know you were asking for advice on adding bleach to H20 ballast. I can't help as I'm just looking into water ballast trailerables. Can you please let me know how your Hunter 24 sails? My primary concern is the stability of the boat... do you feel the ballast "slosh around" when you tack or jybe? I'm assuming that the tank fills all the way to the very top or the ater would have room to move. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks- Bob
I know you were asking for advice on adding bleach to H20 ballast. I can't help as I'm just looking into water ballast trailerables. Can you please let me know how your Hunter 24 sails? My primary concern is the stability of the boat... do you feel the ballast "slosh around" when you tack or jybe? I'm assuming that the tank fills all the way to the very top or the ater would have room to move. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks- Bob
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dan vereker
h2o ballast
i leave my boat in the water 24/7 salt water too. if i remember corectly for any thing to grow it takes light. i believe it's pretty dark in the ballast tank. be more concerned with your bottom paint, and corrosion above. fair winds and good sailing. dan
i leave my boat in the water 24/7 salt water too. if i remember corectly for any thing to grow it takes light. i believe it's pretty dark in the ballast tank. be more concerned with your bottom paint, and corrosion above. fair winds and good sailing. dan
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Brad Amundson
I make good use of my (water ballested boat)
I have had it in and out of the water at least six times this summer. The boat has been on 4 different bodies of water including Lake Supperior (Apostle Islands) What a great boat for trying out different locations!! Its been fun! FYI everytime I pull the boat I clean the bottom if its been in the water longer then couple of weeks. To Bob: No sloshing Sailed the boat in 25MPH gusty winds last weekend which does keep you busy with the main sheet. All in all a nice sailing portable boat. Brad
I have had it in and out of the water at least six times this summer. The boat has been on 4 different bodies of water including Lake Supperior (Apostle Islands) What a great boat for trying out different locations!! Its been fun! FYI everytime I pull the boat I clean the bottom if its been in the water longer then couple of weeks. To Bob: No sloshing Sailed the boat in 25MPH gusty winds last weekend which does keep you busy with the main sheet. All in all a nice sailing portable boat. Brad
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