SX Ballast Question

[Ktown]

Yeah, I agree about the unique nature of the tanks and I am willing to make the effort, however I just don't want to do anything that will hurt the boat.  Other than the ballast, my boat is now in exceptional shape.  I can live with the ballast bags, until I get the balls to start cutting in the floor board.  My next step is to figure-out how far back the leak is.  I plan on parking the boat on an elevated driveway and measuring a gallon of water at a time in to the ballast.  When it starts to leak, I will try to get a mirror or camera in the tank to see how far down the leak is.  If it's close enough and I can identify it, I will engineer some type of tool to allow me to put some marine-tex (easy no-frills sealer).   My biggest worry is I won't be able to identify the leaky area or it is not close enough for me to view.  My second biggest worry is I find the leak and need to create a working space by cutting an 8 or 10 inch hole, and subsequetly hit a stringer.  I think I could use the sender space to measure around it enough to rule-out a stringer in that area.  I could then mount the level indicator in the deck plate.  Seems like the easist way, now I just need to do some more research.  Any other ideas on how to get access?

Thanks

[flyn2001]

K-Town,

Since it wouldn't cost you anything to make the call....I would contact the ski ranch and get their opinion.  Maybe they have worked on boats w/ similar issues.  Also of note, they told me that they have worked on Epics in the past.  Can't hurt to ask.  By the way, I got my 4 new Polk Audio tower speakers today.

[westtx]

I've got a guy in Midland who does great boat fiberglass work. Last time I was in they had the floor cut out of a Rinker and looked like they were doing it the right way. The glass repairs I've had done on my other boats have been flawless.

After reading this thread, I'm thinking how nice it would be if the SX had those cool removeable floor panels I have on my E22. It's nice to have near complete access to the hull. On the downside, when I put the factory tower in last year, I forgot to drill a hole for stereo wires. Fun, Fun

[lstucki]

I just noticed this discussion about repairing a ballast leak on a Toyota.  I just got a used boat this year [Epic 22sx 2002] and appear to have a leak somewhere near the BOTTOM of the star board tank.

Hence, I am very interested in hearing if anyone was ever able to solve this problem and what you might have learned along the way.

Any comments would be appreciated.  BTW, do you have any idea if there is a schematic of the hull any where available to show the layout of the ballast tanks?

Does anyone know of anyone capable of performing these services in the Seattle area?

Thanks for any helpful suggestions.

[Capt Rick]

get me the hull number ... does it have the pumps removed and switch still there

[Ktown]

Capt,

What does the hull number tell you?  I know you asked for mine as well, but I was curious if you have diagrams or somethiing that you are crossreferencing for troubleshooting?  I haven't had a chance to do any more trouble shooting on mine, but I would bet the leak is in the last 1/4 of the tank.  I would also love to get a more detailed schematic of the hull and stringers. 

Ktown

[Capt Rick]

Im checking if it is a boat I looked at, and removed the ballast system because it leaked.