Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Freeze		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

jking
Navigator

Member Avatar

110 Posts
Initially Posted - 11/05/2007 :  18:36:48  Show Profile
The low temperature is supposed to be 28 degrees here in middle TN tomorrow night, and my boat is in the water. Water temp will probably be about 60 degrees (was 70 degrees this past weekend.)

Question: How low does the ambient temp need to be before the water in the ballast tank freezes? I think the risk of a frozen ballast tank is low, given that the temp of the surrounding water will help protect the water in the tank. Also, the freezing point of Percy Priest Lake water is probably much lower than that of PURE water.

Any ideas or experience out there?
John
250 WB #887
'Flying Wasp' , formerly 'MAD MOM'
Edited by - on

willy
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
422 Posts
Response Posted - 11/06/2007 :  09:15:02  Show Profile
John,
I think it really depends on how long it stays cold. I would definately make certain that the vent in the anchor locker is open so that if it does freeze, the expansion won't pressurize the ballest. I am assuming that Percy Priest Lake water is fresh so I don't think you get the lowered freezing point you might had you filled it with salt water. Finally...get that boat out of the water!
Willy
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

bear
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
909 Posts
Response Posted - 11/06/2007 :  10:07:55  Show Profile
John, You probably got it about right yourself, I would think the temperature of the water in the ballast tank mirrors the lake water temperature, give or take a few degrees. also a 60 degree water temp is going to raise that 28 degree air temp close to the lake water surface at least for a while. I wouldn't mess around to long if air temp's continue below freezing at night.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts
Response Posted - 11/06/2007 :  10:09:43  Show Profile
John,
Willy's right, the freezing point of your lake is 32ºF. The amount of pollution you may have is probably not going to effect that by more than a tiny fraction of a degree. The good news is that the water temperature will keep the ambient air temperature warmer near the lake so, you're <u><i>probably</i></u> OK for tonight. Since I'm a "belt and braces" kind of guy, I'd follow Willy's advice about relieving any possible pressure increase. Unfortunately, that WILL NOT prevent damage to the tank if the water should freeze since the water will expand in all dimensions and put pressure on the tank walls. The damage comes from physical force, not an increase in barometric pressure within the tank.

Another option might be to blow the ballast as has been described elsewhere in this forum. Maybe the best option if you can't haul it out.

A third option might be to add some anti-freeze to the ballast. I'm just thinking aloud here -- don't know what problems this might cause. But I imagine that the anti-freeze would not be a problem for the tank but would be an environmental issue unless you use the RV potable water stuff. I haven't got a clue about the concentration that might be needed.

I assume that this is a fluke temperature drop and that it's usually warmer in Tennessee. If not, Willy's right, it's time to put the boat on the hard along with the rest of us seasonal sufferers.
Edited by - John Russell on 11/06/2007 10:16:04
Go to Top of Page

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 11/06/2007 :  15:42:40  Show Profile
Hey John,
It's supposed to go to 28 tonight and 30 tomorrow night with daytime temps in the 50's to 60, then above freezing (39) Thurs. and Fri. nights. It's highly unlikely that the lake water around your boat will freeze, so you should be okay til the weekend, at least. Generally, it's got to get much colder, like down in the teens for several days before the lake surface freezes. BUT, it's not my boat, so it's your call! Likr John R. above said, if you can blow most of the water balast, it's probably a good idea to do it.
Edited by - dmpilc on 11/06/2007 15:44:23
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.