slight heel to starboard

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 09:58

I have another question about the Ballistic 6.5 I own. When left on a mooring I notice that there is a slight heel to starboard, and this has now got me thinking of the cause, I either have water in the sponson or water in the cable conduit.

Anyone know the layout of the cable conduit? Is this a sealed pipe from one end to the other i.e. could water have got into this and now be trapped? I have removed the deck fitting and I can see a small amount of water, but not having much luck removing this – and the volume of water seems to only be slight.

Anyone know how to check for water in a sponson, I have tapped them and attempted to listen 0 but cant notice anything?

Wightdiver · 10 April 2013, 10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

I have another question about the Ballistic 6.5 I own. When left on a mooring I notice that there is a slight heel to starboard, and this has now got me thinking of the cause, I either have water in the sponson or water in the cable conduit.

Anyone know the layout of the cable conduit? Is this a sealed pipe from one end to the other i.e. could water have got into this and now be trapped? I have removed the deck fitting and I can see a small amount of water, but not having much luck removing this – and the volume of water seems to only be slight.

Anyone know how to check for water in a sponson, I have tapped them and attempted to listen 0 but cant notice anything?

Partially deflate the sponsons one chamber at a time, lots of water any you will see it as the tube will hang down. If it is a little water put your hands underneath and try lifting/giggling the tube you will feel any water in there.

Andy

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 10:21

Looking forward to giggling

If I do find water in there, what's the best way to remove it?

willk · 10 April 2013, 10:36

How would water get in a sponson? Surely it would either have to be introduced deliberately or get left in there following a repair job? Neither seems likely.

If you DO have water from a mysterious source - it has to be historical (i.e. you have no current entry point, as your tubes stay up). It could be siphoned out using rigid plastic pipes, like those used for compressed air or very fine gauge plumbing pipes - inserted via the valves openings.

I bet your boat just has a list. Perhaps from the battery or engine installation, that being compounded at rest by fuel moving "listward". I'm guessing Ballistic tubes are out of the water at rest?

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 10:47

Wilk - I have tried to work everything out, and it didn't used to do it, or didn't seem to be as bad so it must be something that has changed.

When on a mooring the port tube is well out of the water, but I noticed on my last trip the starboard one was in the water ever so slightly, this time when I cleaned her over the starboard tube underside had crap on it from being left in the water - and this is what has made me think.

PeterM · 10 April 2013, 10:57

Just having the engine left off straight can move the c of g port or starboard. Combine that with the rigging and I think most ribs lean one way or other.....

willk · 10 April 2013, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterm

and i think most ribs dress one way or other.....

ftfy

willk · 10 April 2013, 11:34

Steve - maybe one of the internal drainage holes in the stringers/bulkheads is blocked and is holding water in one of the side sections of the hull. A right PITA if it is...

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Steve - maybe one of the internal drainage holes in the stringers/bulkheads is blocked and is holding water in one of the side sections of the hull. A right PITA if it is...

How can check this - as this sounds about right...

PeterM · 10 April 2013, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Steve - maybe one of the internal drainage holes in the stringers/bulkheads is blocked and is holding water in one of the side sections of the hull. A right PITA if it is...

Did have this on the old boat where cabling etc came up through the deck and rain would seep in over time..handlily each stringer had a bung that could be removed to allow it to drain to bilge and be pumped out

Not sure how easy it would be to retro fit ? or if it is this problme you are having if it woudl be the same cause ?

Nos4r2 · 10 April 2013, 12:41

If the underdeck layout is the same as my 7.8 then you shouldn't be able to get water trapped in there. The trunking under the deck is open to the under deck void at both ends and it can drain through to the splashwell drain.

The drain is big enough that it only takes a minute or so to drain through from level with the deck so it'd have to be a big lump of detritus in there to cause a blockage.

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 12:45

I have a karcher drain jetter attachment? What if i shoved this up the drain hole to clear any crap?

(I know its going to be adding more water into the hull)

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 12:56

Nos - With the witches tit / deck seal thing removed, I can defiantly see water in there, and it looks like its had water in for a while, its all smelly, slimy and full of crap - I thought that this must be a solid fixed pipe from here to the end in the console.

Before I got the rib - it hadn't been used for a year, so perhaps it wasn't stored flat on the dry stack and water had collected and caused a blockage.

So shove my drain jet down the cable track and hope it clears the blockage?

Nos4r2 · 10 April 2013, 13:00

I'd try and pump it out first if you can, though I suspect your solution might be the only one.

Be careful though-if that trunking is sealed you'll jet the inside of the console with crap.

Mine deinitely isn't sealed, I had some fun getting cables to go into the ends of the trunking!

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 13:08

I have looked down through the cable hole, and can see water, but I cant get in with a pump as its only a small amount and its very tight due to the cables.

As its all smelly, slimy and full of crap I assumed it was a sealed section. If it has and should drain then I will get the jet washer down it and see what happens, as even if this isn't my problem it should be dry.

Nos4r2 · 10 April 2013, 16:31

If you've got a way to pump it out,I'd be tempted to pour a few buckets of water down there mixed with a bit of Bilgex or similar then have a look with a borescope/endoscope.

If it IS a sealed section, or even if the drain is blocked you might end up spraying all that muck back up into the console where the cables enter.

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 17:58

Well I can pump some out, i like the idea with bucket and see what happens first, then try the pressure washer option.

I dont have access to a borescope/endoscope though

PeterM · 10 April 2013, 18:02

If you can squeeze a piece of fuel pipe into .....it I've used an old fuel priming bulb to pump stuff up and out of really tight places....takes some hand work....but does work.

SteveHall · 10 April 2013, 18:03

Good idea...

Also found these - 2M Mini USB Borescope Endoscope Waterproof Inspection Snake Tube Video Camera | eBay -

Perhaps for a £10 its worth a try..

PeterM · 10 April 2013, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveHall

Good idea...

Also found these - 2M Mini USB Borescope Endoscope Waterproof Inspection Snake Tube Video Camera | eBay -

Perhaps for a £10 its worth a try..

And a neat thing to have anyway!