Good question. Don't know the answer.

Posted By: Gary, Santana 2023A, Milwaukee
Date: 3/17/08 2:00p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Valve (Bob Frak)

Been that way for many a year, and never had a problem. Perhaps that's why (whoever the) shop was that did it, put it vertically in the front of the trunk? Certainly has never been an issue. My SPECULATION (re the typical 2023)is that you should keep the lower valve shut to prevent air from entering the ballast tank. I know that every week or two in the summer I'll crack the upper air valve and get a small belch out of her, closing the valve 2-3 seconds later. Hard to estimate, but maybe a 1/2 cup of air will pop out? I didn't even know the 2023 was supposed to have the valve, until I found this site (George educated me on it). Worried (unfounded fear!) about it for a while, then forgot it. Is a really sweet set up, 'tho I wouldn't mind being able to close the openning, just on general principles. Admittedly biased, but I sure don't like the looks of those 'knee buster' valve humps. In any event, it'll be interesting if I ever open her up. Fairly convinced all the heavy mods mean the tank is done, and I think that the hardware for the lower valve is still in place, even if partially, as the lower valve is still attached, in the closed position, of course. Perhaps all the stuff is in the tank, yet? Hell, I just had a thought! If I were to pull the CB out this spring, I should be able to shine a floodlight into this water ingression port and, with a small mirror, be able to see... hmm, well... MAYBE see if the forward (inner) bulkhead has been glassed. By goodness, that just might work! In either event, should try this before cutting a hole through the sole. Wow, Bob, thanks for asking the question, and getting me off on a tangent!