Hey Gang, For the H240/H260 water ballast, what is the best way to winterize it to protect from freezing? Also, we launched the H240 3 times this week in 2 locations. The Magic Tilt trailer sucks. Thanks!
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Drain it, then non-toxic marine/rv antifreeze
Unless you can get every last drop of water out of it. If you can, you don't need antifreeze, 'cuz it's not just freezing temps that do the damage...but water expanding when it freezes.
Unless you can get every last drop of water out of it. If you can, you don't need antifreeze, 'cuz it's not just freezing temps that do the damage...but water expanding when it freezes.
Valve Open
I always leave the ballast tank valve open a small bit on the bottom of the boat when it's sitting in the trailer. Is that good enought to get the water out for the winter or will I still need to put a marine antifreeze in.
I always leave the ballast tank valve open a small bit on the bottom of the boat when it's sitting in the trailer. Is that good enought to get the water out for the winter or will I still need to put a marine antifreeze in.
Leave valve open
On my 260, I leave the bottom valve open and remove the plug inside. This drains the tank completely. On your trailer, make sure you are extending the shaft. Sometimes it helps to partially drain and refloat to better position on the trailer.
On my 260, I leave the bottom valve open and remove the plug inside. This drains the tank completely. On your trailer, make sure you are extending the shaft. Sometimes it helps to partially drain and refloat to better position on the trailer.
What if you leave the boat in the water?
Oops, sorry guys - I forgot to mention that we were hoping to leave it in the water over the winter... Or is that the wrong thing to do? Do water ballast sailboats have to be pulled out in the winter?
Oops, sorry guys - I forgot to mention that we were hoping to leave it in the water over the winter... Or is that the wrong thing to do? Do water ballast sailboats have to be pulled out in the winter?
I sometimes leave my garden hoses out...
...in the winter. Sometimes they burst, sometimes they don't. I guess it depends on how cold it can get where you are. During a cold winter in Long Island, N.Y. the dealer left a 260 in salt water (presumably ballast had same) with no ill effect. Water and air temps may vary greatly depending on the body of water but you must take any coring into account. You can use antifreeze (I would use the non-toxic type) but that would be fairly expensive. I've never put antifreeze in an empty tank as Peggy suggested but it's not a bad idea to provide extra insurance. The short answer is that hauling for the winter is best if you get hard freezes, if not then... alan
...in the winter. Sometimes they burst, sometimes they don't. I guess it depends on how cold it can get where you are. During a cold winter in Long Island, N.Y. the dealer left a 260 in salt water (presumably ballast had same) with no ill effect. Water and air temps may vary greatly depending on the body of water but you must take any coring into account. You can use antifreeze (I would use the non-toxic type) but that would be fairly expensive. I've never put antifreeze in an empty tank as Peggy suggested but it's not a bad idea to provide extra insurance. The short answer is that hauling for the winter is best if you get hard freezes, if not then... alan
Water Ballast Freezing
Jason, I asked the same question myself after purchasing my H26. The answer I got is that Hunter will not honor any warranty where the water is left in the ballast over the winter and damage occurs. It also depends where you live. In areas where the winters are more temperate I don't think you need to. In my area the water temperature rarely ever gets to freezing or below.We leave her in the water all year long but just to be safe I pull her out and drain the ballast anyway. Gives me a chance to work on the outboard. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Jason, I asked the same question myself after purchasing my H26. The answer I got is that Hunter will not honor any warranty where the water is left in the ballast over the winter and damage occurs. It also depends where you live. In areas where the winters are more temperate I don't think you need to. In my area the water temperature rarely ever gets to freezing or below.We leave her in the water all year long but just to be safe I pull her out and drain the ballast anyway. Gives me a chance to work on the outboard. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Tank
When I left my 240 in the water during the summer, I poured a gallon of cheap clorox in with the valve open and then closed the valve. Otherwise the odors was be terrible. Even tough the winters in South Carolina are not bad and I have never seen a big lake get much ice, I just don't want to take the chance. My luck it would be a blizzard. After pulling the boat for the winter and draining the tank on the trailer, I don't give it anymore thought.
When I left my 240 in the water during the summer, I poured a gallon of cheap clorox in with the valve open and then closed the valve. Otherwise the odors was be terrible. Even tough the winters in South Carolina are not bad and I have never seen a big lake get much ice, I just don't want to take the chance. My luck it would be a blizzard. After pulling the boat for the winter and draining the tank on the trailer, I don't give it anymore thought.
No freeze problem in Carolinas
Have had my 260 in the water for 3 winters on the NC/VA boarder. Have not needed to winterize the balast tank. it is below the waterline and not subject to a hard freeze in normal conditions. I have drained the fresh water tanks and added RV antifreeze every year this system is capable of freezing.
Have had my 260 in the water for 3 winters on the NC/VA boarder. Have not needed to winterize the balast tank. it is below the waterline and not subject to a hard freeze in normal conditions. I have drained the fresh water tanks and added RV antifreeze every year this system is capable of freezing.
Fill them with cheap liquor
Fill them with cheap liquor and they wont freeze. In the summer you can flush it out or drink it. Also works on water tanks.
Fill them with cheap liquor and they wont freeze. In the summer you can flush it out or drink it. Also works on water tanks.
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