water balast freezing

[dingerLex]

I live in Lexington, Ky and recently bought a Hunter 26 water balast boat to sail on local, inland lakes. Some winters we actually get an inch or so of ice in the marina waters for a few days with night air temperatures reaching close to 0 degrees F. If I leave the boat in the water on a mooring ball, will the water balast freeze? Does anyone have any experience on how many days of below-freezing air temps might cause the balast water to freeze?

I generally have sailed my Mac25 all winter long, and would like to do so with the Hunter 26 if I can leave it on the mooring ball during the winter months.

 

[George H260]

If it worked for your M26 I would guess it would work for the H26. However, Hunter is pretty direct when they say you are on your own if you let the tank freeze.

Please ignore those who tell you you should put anti-freeze in your tank. The fish will thank you...

One thing you don't want to do is compromise your tank. It's a simple thing to pull the boat if you think you'll get a hard freeze.