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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Ballast tank construction

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/25/2009 : 17:35:53

Does any one have insight into the following...
1) Is the ballast tank constructed in several interconnected compartments or is it web-reinforced as one open tank

2) Are the inside walls of the tank gel-coated or lined with water resistant material to withstand water penetration...

3) Will leaving fresh or salt ballast water inside the tank for long periods result in tank wall deterioration...

4) Would you fill, including frequent burping, the ballast tank using the vent outlet to avoid filling it with salt marina water

Henk & Johanna
"Floating", a few off your "barnacles".
"Someday Lady" '95 C250WB #151 ('03 - 2016)
"Sea ya" 30ft Bayliner (04-2018 - 09-2018)
"Mariah" '96 C250WB #191 (05-2019 - 15-05-2023)
"Lady J" '00 C250WK #499 (05-2021 - 09-2022)

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2009 : 19:52:20

Henk,
There have been a number of discussions about some of your questions by the WB owners, although I don't recall seeing one specifically about the interconnected compartments. My understanding is that it's essentially a 120 gallon tank. Some of the folks have used a bleach solution to kill any organisms that end up in the tank, so that may work for you instead of filling with fresh water.

It might be worth an email to Catalina with your questions, or simply a call to ask about them, although I've had little luck getting them to respond to questions.

I'm sure the WB folks will weigh in with their ideas and methods.

How's the sailing in SD?

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2009 : 21:35:40

The sailing and conditions are absolutely wonderful... we have been out 4 times either by ourselves or with guests from Canada who have dropped in and this fellow below who you all know very well... Jim Baumgard...
BTW we'll consider posting a trip report again

Jim in conversation with Johanna

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2009 : 13:31:12

Henk, I had to repair the valve blimp/hump/whatever on our C250 to reduce the leakage at the top of the valve. While doing it I removed the valve completely, letting it drop out the bottom of the boat. I used a mirror at the time to see insdide the tank, did not see any baffles or webbing. It's only about 8" or so deep in the middle. Not sure if it's built as a tank and inserted into the hull or if it's just a lid on the bilge that is glassed in place.

Paul

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bill bosworth
Navigator

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USA
172 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2009 : 18:25:20

I did run into a ballast tank problem. Last summer a small leak developed in the ballast tank on the forward port side. I made the repair in the water by blowing the ballast, digging out the damaged fiberglass and reglassing the area. It's been a year with no further problems. We were lucky that the leak developed in an area that was easy to reach. The experience leads me to believe that the tank is made up of a "lid" that is glassed to the hull to form the tank. Our boat has only been in fresh water. I do add bleach when be launch the boat in the spring.
Now on the hard.
Bill
Serendipity c250wb #134

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 11/28/2009 : 19:23:32

Would you have a theory as to why a leak developed?
Was the leak below the V berth area... could you see a crack, hairline or separation?
How did make the repair and did you take any pictures?

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joelterry
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2009 : 13:11:16

I was just winterizing my boat and noticed water in the groves on the bottom of locker in front of the head, galley. When you had the WB leak was there a similar symptom? I am not sure of the water is from below or above.

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bill bosworth
Navigator

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USA
172 Posts

Response Posted - 12/12/2009 : 17:48:05

Sorry for the late reply, we've been out of town. I'm not sure why the leak developed, but we noticed water in the groove on the port side under the V berth. Our boat is usually very dry, so any sign of water gets my attention. My repair; I blew out the ballast, the bad material or crack seemed to be about a foot long, so I dug out the bad fiberglass with a chisel, I rough sanded the area around the crack. I thaught I'd seal the area with a underwater epoxy product. It's a two part paste that I worked into the crack. I'm not sure that the epoxy was necessary. I then backed up the repair with fiberglass reinforced body filler. This isn't like bondo, but a thickened polyester resin with glass fibers some call it gorilla hair. I sanded the area and applied about 3 layers of fiberglass mat about 3 inches wide. I ran this the length of the groove under the v birth. It sounds complicated but only took a few hours to do. The repair has been holding up very well, no signs of water anywhere. I'm very glad that if it had to leak, that it was in the V birth area where it was easy to reach.

Bill
c250wb #134 Serendipity

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2009 : 10:44:36

Thanks for the replies including the description of how to fix a ballast tank leak which we will file away in case it's needed.

Still curious though regarding the ballast tanks design and construction, inner waterproofing, transfer of tank/hull/floor stresses when the boat is on the trailer, in the water, walking on the cabin floor or having 4 or more people sitting on the cabin settee.

In spite of traveling around the continent and other long distance trips well over 35000 km (25000 miles) our '95 C250 has held up well

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2009 : 13:27:04

I was in a Home Depot equipment rental store a while back and saw a neat little flexible camera for rent that you might be able to stick into the tank and take a look around.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 12/16/2009 : 17:43:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 I was in a Home Depot equipment rental store a while back and saw a neat little flexible camera for rent that you might be able to stick into the tank and take a look around.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Not sure, but you might be able to buy one at Harbor Freight for less than the HD rental.

Paul

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