reasons for keeping valve closed.

Posted By: Paul Germain, 2023 C
Date: 3/17/08 2:04p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Valve (Bob Frak)

I have found there are two primary reasons for keeping the valve closed. 1. To keep critters out of the tank - and dying while in there. Have you ever smelled a water ballasted boat that had rotting water inside the tank? 2. When heeling in higher winds, air could come in from an improperly plugged vent above (have you ever forgotten to plug it?), which could result in a major loss of water from the tank below. With air in the tank, this would mean that there would not be much water in the side of the hull that is raised out of the ocean during healing. This could result in a knockdown, as all of the weight would be at the side of the hull that is leeward. In addition, air in the tank would allow the remaining water to slosh about in the tank during tacking. This means about 800 lbs. of water could be banging either direction against the sides of your tank - not good for joints. There is an additional description of this problem at the bottom of the page at the following link to George's website, along with some pictures. http://76.235.121.46/webcaptain/Hull-Water%20Ballast.htm