How to determine if leak is from tank or centerboard fitting

Posted By: Paul Germain, 2023 C
Date: 3/24/08 8:23a.m.

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In Response To: *bzz MIRACLE product for sealing ballast tank leaks (link) (Paul Germain, 2023 C)

Here is a way determine whether leak into air chamber is from the ballast tank or the fitting that the centerboard raising line runs through: Put spa shock into the tank. (I do this anyway as a way to keep tank fresh and reduce the chance of tank rot. Note: spa shock is safer on fiberglass than regular chlorine). When air chamber begins to fill with water, simply test its chlorine level by using a pool/spa water test strip that determines the level of chlorine in water. Use a separate strip to test the chlorine level in the ballast tank. If the two strips show the same chlorine level, the leak is from the ballast tank. If the strip from the air chamber shows no chlorine, water is not leaking in from the ballast tank. It is probably leaking from the centerboard line fitting. If the test from the air chamber shows a lower level of chlorine, water is probably leaking from both the ballast tank and the centerboard fitting. Another way to test for leak from the tank is to put a heavy solution of blue dye into the tank. If the blue shows up in the air chamber full color, you know the leak is from the ballast tank.