Water ballast treatment

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Kirk

After following this site for the past 2 years, I am now the proud owner of a 26M. My plan is to keep the boat at a marina berth in the ocean for the majority of the summer and to remove it in the fall (with perhaps the odd trailer trip). I've had the bottom painted with anti-fouling. I have 2 questions that I would appreciate help with: 1) At a marina berth, is it better to leave the ballast tank full in terms of general movement in response to wind and ease of docking/manuverability? 2) If leaving water ballast in for a prolonged period of time, do you suggest adding anything to the tank to prevent marine growth (maybe Javax or pool chlorine tablets?) Thanks in advance for your responses and thanks for all of the info that went into helping me make the decision to purchase a MacGregor. Kirk M
 
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MArk

Water ballast maintenance

Hey Kirk, Congratulations on your new boat. I have 2 suggestions and a quote. First, if you're going to keep your boat in water for more than a week at a time, make sure you have an epoxy barrier coat under the anti-fouling paint. Anti-fouling paints prevent marine growth on the hull but with few exceptions do not provide protection from hull blistering. Second suggestion, keep the ballast tank full when docked. I can't say for sure if this is better. It's just a feeling. The only downside is that the added weight puts more shock load on the mooring lines if you get a lot of waves. Finally the quote from the 26C manual concerning ballast tank treatment: “14. PREVENTION OF ALGAE IN THE BALLAST TANK If you leave the ballast tank full of water for long periods, drop in a few swimming pool chlorine tablets to prevent a bad case of algae. Be cautious when handling the chlorine tablets. Follow the directions on the chlorine tablet container very carefully. Don’t put chlorine in the galley water tank. Don’t leave water in the tank in freezing weather. Damage could result.” Happy sails */), MArk
 
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mrbill

Blisters - barrier coat

I agree, I just purchased a 1988 26m. I am sanding off 2 coats of bottom paint, to get to the blisters. At this point, (since you already have bottom paint), I would add dry chlorine to balast. then next season, sand off the bottom paint, add a barrier coat, and then the bottom paint. My question is how to barrier coat the balast... I suspect blisters have formed in my balast... but who could tell...
 
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MArk

Blisters in the ballast?

Hey mrbill, I'm not a fiberglass expert, but blisters in the ballast tank should not be an issue. The reason I say this is because I don't think MacGregor puts gelcoat in the ballast tank. Why would he if a smooth surface isn't needed in there? No gelcoat, no blisters. Maybe a fiberglass expert could verify this. Happy sails *_/), MArk
 
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