Water ballast

[Darryl Evans]

I live in Wilmington, N.C. and would be using the boat in saltwater. Does the Water Ballast have any effect on the hull, etc. or is it just ok. Thanks, Darryl

 

[Dave]

OK to use

You are fine sailing in salt water with the boat. Just add a little chlorox or clorine tablets to the ballast tank to keep it from smelling if you decide to leave the boat in the water. I have heard apsirin works but never tried it.Happy Sailing

 

[Sean]

Water ballest

Darryl I leave my 240 in the saltwater (Chesepeake Bay) 6 months out of the year. I haven't had a problem. If you forget to add the clorox you will be reminded when you return to your boat after a week of warm tempatures by the smell that greats you. I add a gallon when I put the boat in the water. It lasts all season

 

[Big T]

All the time

I've only had my H240 a couple months so far and plan to leave it in the water (salt water in St. Petersburg FL) year round. Only plan to drain it when I haul it out every yr - 18 mo - 2yr. (Have'nt deceided yet) I hear it should be no problem. However, I ballasted it with city water and added two cups of chlorox. I hear that is a good number. If not, I'll add. (Chlorox is an aggressive chemical, recommend caution).

 

[Joe Refkin]

clorox

Last year we pulled the boat out 3 times and never had it in the water for more than8 weeks. did not add bleach.When we drained it the last time (Nov 1st) there was a definite odor, but not too bad. The dealer said I didnt have to use bleach.This year he said to add 2 cups of clorox..... so I did. I don't plan to pull it out of the water until end of season. I would be afraid to use a whole gallon at one time. You might pull the air release (vent plug) under the 2nd step and smell (gingerly) to see if you need to add more bleach. I would try 2 cups at a time and wait 3 weeks. Bottom line CALL HUNTER and see what they say. Be sure to post their response and then we all will know.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Won't hurt gelcoat, but can get stinky

Water ballast tanks, like bilges and sumps, are dark stagnant "swamps," full of dead and decaying sea life, fermenting in the summer heat...and like bilges and sumps, water ballast tanks need to be cleaned occasionally. Not just by throwing in some bleach from time to time (After all...you don't clean the bathtub just by throwing some bleach in the dirty bathwater and leaving it there, do you?), but actually cleaned with detergent and bleach--scrubbed if possible, but at least agitated enough to loosen all the slime from the walls--and then thoroughly rinsed out with fresh water to remove all the dirty water. Once or twice a year should do it.Once or twice a year should be enough to