...the trick is knowing just when to take the boat out of the water for the year right? Winters in our part of the midwest have been milder the last couple of years so I thought we'd delay things. Who knows, sailing on Thanksgiving sounded pretty cool to me. Well, its cold. Mid twenties at night and forties in the daytime. Does anyone have a sense of how cold it has to be for how long before things like the water ballast, fresh water, etc start to freeze? Am assuming that as long as it gets above freezing during the day we should be ok. Is that wishful thinking? Any insights appreciated. Bill Welsch s/v Renewal
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Michael Stephens
nervous
We pulled our 260 out 4 weeks ago in a snow/sleet storm for fear of freezing the water ballast. This is a new boat and I have no experience with water ballast. I am also curious just what it would take to freeze the tanks. Now I just sit and plan next years trips and wait for launch day. Michael Stephens s/v Pure Heaven
We pulled our 260 out 4 weeks ago in a snow/sleet storm for fear of freezing the water ballast. This is a new boat and I have no experience with water ballast. I am also curious just what it would take to freeze the tanks. Now I just sit and plan next years trips and wait for launch day. Michael Stephens s/v Pure Heaven
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Phil Teter
lake temperature?
Bill: Water below waterline inside your boat usually will not freeze unless the lake freezes over several inches thick. Water above the lake level will freeze when the air temperature gets below freezing. There are always exceptions. I do not take my boat out in the winter, the lake usually doesn't freeze. I am a little south of you so don't have as cool winters as you. The air will have to be below freezing several days before the lake will freeze. See what other local sailers do. Phil
Bill: Water below waterline inside your boat usually will not freeze unless the lake freezes over several inches thick. Water above the lake level will freeze when the air temperature gets below freezing. There are always exceptions. I do not take my boat out in the winter, the lake usually doesn't freeze. I am a little south of you so don't have as cool winters as you. The air will have to be below freezing several days before the lake will freeze. See what other local sailers do. Phil
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ken.shubert
Too Cold
The seasons final retrieval ritual always includes sleet and snow. I retrieved my H23.5 last week and was surprised how warm it was in the cabin. The lake temperature was still above 50 degrees and the cabin temp along with fresh water and porta-pottie were at a safe temperature. There have been a few nights when the temp dipped to 15 or so but I feel better now that I know the cabin stays above freezing. The problem in Kansas and Missouri is the unpredictable weather. The last few winters have been mild but it's possible to have a week below zero. We joked about the New Years Regatta on Mark Twain Lake but last year it could have happened. If you do get caught it's possible to blow the ballast water out, add RV antifreeze or salt or a combination. I'm not too sure an electric heater in the cabin would be of too much help. How about a hot-water tank element in the ballast? Stepping the mast on an icy deck was nasty! Ken S/V Wouff Hong
The seasons final retrieval ritual always includes sleet and snow. I retrieved my H23.5 last week and was surprised how warm it was in the cabin. The lake temperature was still above 50 degrees and the cabin temp along with fresh water and porta-pottie were at a safe temperature. There have been a few nights when the temp dipped to 15 or so but I feel better now that I know the cabin stays above freezing. The problem in Kansas and Missouri is the unpredictable weather. The last few winters have been mild but it's possible to have a week below zero. We joked about the New Years Regatta on Mark Twain Lake but last year it could have happened. If you do get caught it's possible to blow the ballast water out, add RV antifreeze or salt or a combination. I'm not too sure an electric heater in the cabin would be of too much help. How about a hot-water tank element in the ballast? Stepping the mast on an icy deck was nasty! Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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BILL
Freeze
I live in western Mmissouri and checked on my boat today. The Lake temperature is around 53 degrees and we have had several nights in the teens and 30s during the day. I accidently left a jug of H2O on the dock and it was frozen solid. Inside the boat I had 1/2 gallon of fresh water in a jug in the sink and it was no where near being frozen. The bilge also was not frozen. I think your water ballast will be just fine until the lake freezes,assuming your boat is kept in the water. Once out of the water,drain ASAP. Aren't you glad you don't live in Florida so you can have all of this fun?
I live in western Mmissouri and checked on my boat today. The Lake temperature is around 53 degrees and we have had several nights in the teens and 30s during the day. I accidently left a jug of H2O on the dock and it was frozen solid. Inside the boat I had 1/2 gallon of fresh water in a jug in the sink and it was no where near being frozen. The bilge also was not frozen. I think your water ballast will be just fine until the lake freezes,assuming your boat is kept in the water. Once out of the water,drain ASAP. Aren't you glad you don't live in Florida so you can have all of this fun?
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Paul Housman
How cold is cold
I have a H-26 water ballast. The same question crossed my mind. I was told not to leave water in the ballast over winter. I pulled my boat out and drained her the end of October. Missed a few weeks of good sailing.I'm going to try a test this winter. I'll take a jug of water put it in the lake where I sail. I'll suspend it down under water about a foot and a half to see if it freezes. Better a jug of water than my water bladder. Paul S/V Linda Belle
I have a H-26 water ballast. The same question crossed my mind. I was told not to leave water in the ballast over winter. I pulled my boat out and drained her the end of October. Missed a few weeks of good sailing.I'm going to try a test this winter. I'll take a jug of water put it in the lake where I sail. I'll suspend it down under water about a foot and a half to see if it freezes. Better a jug of water than my water bladder. Paul S/V Linda Belle
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Dan Ebert
Check valve.
Just watch the check valve for the sink. I had to replace after freezing. Cheap product.
Just watch the check valve for the sink. I had to replace after freezing. Cheap product.
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Kevin Rudeen
Good question!
Bill, You ask a question that I ask myself! We have a H23.5 on Mark Twain Lake and have decided to pull it whenever there is a threat of sustained hard freezes. However, I also consider the temperature of the water in the lake. I am not sure if the air in the cabin influences the water temperature in the ballast tank significantly. Like you, there are a number of midwest winters that I have considered a treat to sail on Thanksgiving Day...or even New Year's Day, but one can always launch for a day of sailing! However, given that winters in the midwest and temperatures are rather unpredictable, we usually haul our boat out by mid November. I don't like taking chances on a ruptured ballast tank. But it would be nice to have some empirical data! Kevin s/v Wind Seeker
Bill, You ask a question that I ask myself! We have a H23.5 on Mark Twain Lake and have decided to pull it whenever there is a threat of sustained hard freezes. However, I also consider the temperature of the water in the lake. I am not sure if the air in the cabin influences the water temperature in the ballast tank significantly. Like you, there are a number of midwest winters that I have considered a treat to sail on Thanksgiving Day...or even New Year's Day, but one can always launch for a day of sailing! However, given that winters in the midwest and temperatures are rather unpredictable, we usually haul our boat out by mid November. I don't like taking chances on a ruptured ballast tank. But it would be nice to have some empirical data! Kevin s/v Wind Seeker
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Steven H.
Is the lake freezing?
If the lake water is above freezing the hull and its contents will be above freezing. If the lake freezes solid so will the water ballast.
If the lake water is above freezing the hull and its contents will be above freezing. If the lake freezes solid so will the water ballast.
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