H26 topping lift/boom rigging/ballast tank

[joegeodesist]

soft deck in my 26 too!

When I step down into the salon of my 1994 H26, the floor seems to give more than it used to. I haven't gained that much weight, have I?The situation is worse in the head; the floor is positively squishy, and makes a dreadful "burble burble" sound when stepped on.Sounds like water sandwiched below the deck. Problematic? Worth repairing or fatal? How is this repaired?

 

[Fred]

I don't think the under foot

burble is a problem. Mine got a lot quieter after I used the boat a bit. I think there was air trapped in the top of the ballast tank. The cabin sole doesn't feel soft. It's not rock solid like the floor in my house or in my old Morgan 41, but it's OK. I only weigh 150 lbs, so I may have to get a big friend down to test it.No water in between the cabin sole and ballast tank, but the whole thing flexes, because when the boat's on the trailer, there is maybe 3/4 of an inch between the inspection plate hole to starboard of the ladder and the top of the ballast tank.In the water with the ballst tank full, there in no space between the cabin sole and the tank top, at least not where you can see through the inspection hole with the cap off.Any comments or opinions from more experienced H26/260 owners?

 

[George]

Air in Ballast Tank

I guess it's possible air could get trapped in the ballast tank. Once I fill and plug it I don't check. At rest, the water comes with an inch of the top of the vent hole. I'm gonna check it again today.