Sorry for YABSUT (yet another ballast setup thread)

dburke · Criminal Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 54 City: Reston

I havent been able to find answers to my ballast set up questions/concerns so I decided to go ahead and ask. Here is what I want to do and my concerns.

Boat: '92 MC 205 DD.
Ballast: 1 500lb bag in the rear
A smaller bag in the bow.

In Pump. (1) 1600 or 2000 gph pump
Out pump: another of the same pump.

Questions/Concerns
1. Can I put a brass T fitting with ball valve on the engine water supply line to supply water to the pumps/ballast? Pros and Cons? If it will work, will a check valve (if ball valve is open) keep the water from being sucked out by the engine pump?

2. Can you pump the water out and into the engine exhaust or would it be best to tap into the bilge line. The bilge line is a smaller (3/4") hose will it slow the flow much?

3. I have 2 older BG bags. Can they be cut to have a drain hole in the bottom and use the top holes as fill and over flow? If so, what do I need to do this, ie what kind of sealant and thru bag fittings? I know 3M 5200 or something like that is used as a boat thru hull sealant. Will that work on a ballast bag?

Thanks.

wesgardner · Posted: Mar 14, 2006 10:36 am Post subject:

Hey dburke,

My gut tells me NOT to use the engine intake - drill a hole and install a thru hull, or bring it over to my house and I'll do it...I've done hundreds...no worries.

Check valves could work as you've suggested.

I'd install separate drain thru-hulls (above the waterline obviously) so I can tell when my sacs are finished draining.

I've not tried the 5200 trick but others have to some success apparently...

Wes