Need comments from 260 owners with water ballast. Can anyone tell me exactly where the water ballast tank is located on the 260? Is it directly under the floor boards midships? I'm hoping that is the case because I can here water splashing whenever I step on the floorboard area of cabin. Is this normal or should I be concerned? Thanks Mark
Water ballast ????? Sinking feeling?!?!
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Suggest searching the archives
A lot has been written on the subject. Whether it’s water in the ballast tank that’s not completely full, or water outside the tank will be your main concern.
A lot has been written on the subject. Whether it’s water in the ballast tank that’s not completely full, or water outside the tank will be your main concern.
specific age and model of your 260
The tank is under the cabin floor from the cabin steps fwd to the base of the mast and side to side about 3-4' wide. Make sure to purge all the air out of the ballast tank, if you have any air in there it'll slosh around like a water cooler bubbling. I hope this is the issue but.......... A wet spot around/under the floor board at the galley usually indicates leaky hatch boards. The cabin slats and poptop will leak pretty well in a blowing rain, wrecking havoc on the flooring. Get a canvas cabin cover to keep it dry. Better check the through hull fittings too as there was a recall on certain ones. Is there any significant water at the bilge pump under the aft bed? Lets hope not. Good luck, Michael
The tank is under the cabin floor from the cabin steps fwd to the base of the mast and side to side about 3-4' wide. Make sure to purge all the air out of the ballast tank, if you have any air in there it'll slosh around like a water cooler bubbling. I hope this is the issue but.......... A wet spot around/under the floor board at the galley usually indicates leaky hatch boards. The cabin slats and poptop will leak pretty well in a blowing rain, wrecking havoc on the flooring. Get a canvas cabin cover to keep it dry. Better check the through hull fittings too as there was a recall on certain ones. Is there any significant water at the bilge pump under the aft bed? Lets hope not. Good luck, Michael
H260 Leaks
I agree with michael, you probably have water trapped under the sole. The water will eventually dry up but once you verify the source of the water seal the edges of the sole. We've collected a lot of information on this subject and placed it on the H260 knowledgebase. Go to this link: http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?cat=4
I agree with michael, you probably have water trapped under the sole. The water will eventually dry up but once you verify the source of the water seal the edges of the sole. We've collected a lot of information on this subject and placed it on the H260 knowledgebase. Go to this link: http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?cat=4
Hmmm.....
Hmmm....after reading your comments and those on the archives.....I'm surmising that there is an air space between the water ballast tank and the sole of the floor. I hauled the boat out and drained the ballast tank.....but can still feel and hear water sloshing under the sole when I bounce on it.(sounds like water level is touching floor sole) The tank had emptied and no water was draining from hull so I guess the water is trapped in there. Is there any quick way of getting it out? Could anyone advise on how big that space is between floor and ballast tank and approximately how many gallons can hide in there? (Just concerned about additional weight) There is no large quantities of water anywhere inside the boat other than maybe an inch in the ribs leading to aft bilge pump.....and sporadic sightings on either side of storage lockers. I just trailered the boat over a thousand miles and was worried that it may be a cracked ballast tank causing the leak but now as I'm learning, it could also be a leak in the cb housing. In any event, I'm gathering from the various comments, am I correct to think this is just a pain in the bilge type problem....and not anything serious regarding the possibility of sinking? Regards Mark
Hmmm....after reading your comments and those on the archives.....I'm surmising that there is an air space between the water ballast tank and the sole of the floor. I hauled the boat out and drained the ballast tank.....but can still feel and hear water sloshing under the sole when I bounce on it.(sounds like water level is touching floor sole) The tank had emptied and no water was draining from hull so I guess the water is trapped in there. Is there any quick way of getting it out? Could anyone advise on how big that space is between floor and ballast tank and approximately how many gallons can hide in there? (Just concerned about additional weight) There is no large quantities of water anywhere inside the boat other than maybe an inch in the ribs leading to aft bilge pump.....and sporadic sightings on either side of storage lockers. I just trailered the boat over a thousand miles and was worried that it may be a cracked ballast tank causing the leak but now as I'm learning, it could also be a leak in the cb housing. In any event, I'm gathering from the various comments, am I correct to think this is just a pain in the bilge type problem....and not anything serious regarding the possibility of sinking? Regards Mark
The ballast tank has raised sides
that slope upward to the rear of the tank so that when you fill it the air burps out of the vent hole. This traps water on top of the tank and it is a pain to get it out. I have had the same problem when I didn't put the vent plug in after filling the ballast once. After replacing the plug I heeled the boat hard while sailing and the water ended up in the side low spots under the galley sink or the head sink. Then I sponged it out. It takes a while to get it all out. If you keep getting water under the sole I would suspect either the keel housing or the ballast tank vent area. The ballast tank vent leaking will usually put water in the bilge under the aft berth as well. I sealed the gap between the top of the ballast tank and the interior liner under the companionway step with 4200 and that works very nicely to contain whatever comes out of the top of the tank. The threaded rod that closes the valve leaks very slightly in my 260 and sealing the gap keeps it out of the bilge. That is where I keep a boat sponge to sop it up.
that slope upward to the rear of the tank so that when you fill it the air burps out of the vent hole. This traps water on top of the tank and it is a pain to get it out. I have had the same problem when I didn't put the vent plug in after filling the ballast once. After replacing the plug I heeled the boat hard while sailing and the water ended up in the side low spots under the galley sink or the head sink. Then I sponged it out. It takes a while to get it all out. If you keep getting water under the sole I would suspect either the keel housing or the ballast tank vent area. The ballast tank vent leaking will usually put water in the bilge under the aft berth as well. I sealed the gap between the top of the ballast tank and the interior liner under the companionway step with 4200 and that works very nicely to contain whatever comes out of the top of the tank. The threaded rod that closes the valve leaks very slightly in my 260 and sealing the gap keeps it out of the bilge. That is where I keep a boat sponge to sop it up.
H260 construction
I think Jim S. has some H260 construction pics he took during a tour of the factory. Maybe he'll share them.
I think Jim S. has some H260 construction pics he took during a tour of the factory. Maybe he'll share them.
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