Leaking ballast-tank

[Toomas]

Hi, I've read some notes about leaks in the 26. And I'm pretty sure it's the ballast-tank, that gives me about 4 inches of water under the kitchen-area and furthermore under the king-size bed.This happens when we sail and lean over a bit - not when we go by motor and lie still in the harbour.Before I put the drill&saw into the glassfiber I'd like to know, where I get the best view into the ballast-tank.Does anyone have a drawing or photo of the 26, where I can see how the tank is formed and placed in the hull ?Toomas

 

[Ken Shubert]

BE SURE, before you saw!

How about putting some dye in the ballast tank to be sure that's where the water is comming from? I was getting water in my H23.5 when I heeled to port because the loop in the bilge pump line wasn't high enough. Water was backing up through the bilge pump.KenS/V Wouff Hong

 

[Leo Brown]

ballast tank photos

check Photo Forum "Factory Tour", 260, April 2000, La Scala.

 

[Toomas]

A perfect view

Many thanks for the Photo Forum-advice, Leo.It might give me the answer. To the right, the previous owner has mounted a cooler for the ice-box. There is a great possibility that he has drilled through the "knee" on top of the tank.I'll unscrew it and check.I thought the tank was concentrated to the center of the boat, but now I know better.Thanks again - I'll be back with the correct answer later.Toomas

 

[Dave Condon]

leak

Suggest that you pull the cover plate underneath the salon table where the mast compression post goes through(held in place by silicon) and observe when sailing. Sounds like a leak between the fiberglass and the base of the compression post. If the tank was leaking, your boat would have taken on water while sitting in the water but you mention that this occours when sailing only which would make me think that you are experiencing what I have suggested to look at. Simple fix is to squeeze 5200 marine sealabt into thespace between the fibergalss and base plate.Crazy Dave