Just got this question from the new owner of an American Fiberglass 16-foot daysailor...
I am hoping you can help me by answering my question or pointing me in the direction of someone who can. I recently purchased a 16’ 1975 American Fiberglass daysailer that has a water ballast system that I am not sure how to operate. The boat has a hole/plug in the lower transom and two hole/plugs in the cockpit. It would seem to me that I should open the plug in the transom and the plugs in the cockpit until water begins to come in the cockpit holes and then replace the plugs in all of the openings. This would fill the water tank and be certain the air was removed from the tank. The previous owner told me just to leave all of the plugs in place and the water ballast fills itself through some valve. When I leave all of the plugs in place I do get water in the ballast tank however I can not find a valve anywhere unless it is in the centerboard area. I am thinking I have a leak into the water ballast tank which I can not find.
I can not find much information about these water ballast systems and the company that made this boat is out of this business. I was hoping that you may provide some insight or point me in the direction of someone who can.
Thank You
Here is a picture of a sistership...
The interesting thing is that I can't find any information about this boat being fitted with water ballast! Bouancy tanks, yes. Water ballast, no.
Can anyone out there shed any light on this question?
Thanks!
Capt'n Pauley
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Comments (6)
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written by Tim, June 27, 2009
does it have a separate fill port other than the plugs in cockpit and transom?
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written by Tim, June 28, 2009
Then I have to wonder if it truly has a ballast system or just a seal area for bouancy.
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written by John, July 01, 2009
I have an A16 and from what I understand at the forum AMERICANFIBERGLASSOWNERS@yahoogroups.com there is no water ballast
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written by Ray Clark, September 05, 2009
It's referred to as a false bottom for buoyancy. We had a 16'9" Windjammer growing up with this same design. An air chamber for buoyancy in case of capsizing, not a water balast. The Windjammer also had syrofoam blocks under the seating for more positive floatation. The boat will quickly fill with gallons of water when capsized, when righted the waterline will be just barely below the gunwale. The air chamber allows the boat to remain afloat while you manually bale the water from the interior. This is going to take probably an hour or so with two people bailing vigously. Do not leave the plugs secured in tight, changes in temperature can crack the fiberglass. On a hot day, if you secure the plugs before putting the boat in the water, the water temp could be 70 and the deck will pull in. The opposite happen if you dont remove the plug.
The secondary use (or maybe the primary one) of the false bottom allows water that spills or spashes into the boat to drain automatically, because the false bottom is above the water line. So that the plugs at the rear of the boat can be removed while sailing and the water will run out the back. I can also add that if you are caught in a rain store and you take refuge under the cutty the boat will be bow down floating in the water and all the rain that lands in the boat will go straight to the cabin area.
I hope this helps, please email me if you have any questions. This is a great boat and you will enjoy sailing her tremendously! -Ray
The secondary use (or maybe the primary one) of the false bottom allows water that spills or spashes into the boat to drain automatically, because the false bottom is above the water line. So that the plugs at the rear of the boat can be removed while sailing and the water will run out the back. I can also add that if you are caught in a rain store and you take refuge under the cutty the boat will be bow down floating in the water and all the rain that lands in the boat will go straight to the cabin area.
I hope this helps, please email me if you have any questions. This is a great boat and you will enjoy sailing her tremendously! -Ray
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written by Norman Reid, October 06, 2009
I just purchased an A16 and the former owner wasn't sure of purpose for the skeg cavity either. He said the boat had a small leak but wasn't sure where. As stated earlier in this column, it has a drain plug in the skeg and 2 small drain holes, one on each side of the centerboard. If it is for buoyancy, it looks like I could fill the cavity with insulation foam from a can. Otherwse, it is a great looking little sailboat. Looks like a centerboard version of the Herreschoff designed "Bullseye" made by Cape Cod Shipbuilding.
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