Water filling center ballast while boat is docked

[Zach Stokes]

So we have a 2018 Yamaha 242X e series and we have it kept at an AYC club constantly in the water. So we are having issues with water leaking into the center ballast while it sits at the dock. Any ideas why this would happen would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cambo]

For 2018 yamaha flipped the orientation of the pump. Maybe with the impellers mounted in a lower position water can weep in . How much water ends up in the ballast bag 1/4 1/2 or more ?

 

[Weeb]

This is probably why your getting your code. Check the water inlet in the water for that bag something must be in it.

 

[Zach Stokes]

For 2018 yamaha flipped the orientation of the pump. Maybe with the impellers mounted in a lower position water can weep in . How much water ends up in the ballast bag 1/4 1/2 or more ?

It was filling up probably about 1/2 way. But this happened last season and we called the dealer and they had no suggestions other than bring it in and spend money to get diagnosed. So we were looking at the engine compartment during the winter and seen the seacock valve and thought maybe that’s how water was leaking into the ballast so we shut the seacock valve while it sits at the dock and haven’t had issues until today when we took it out and had that seacock valve code.

 

[Zach Stokes]

This is probably why your getting your code. Check the water inlet in the water for that bag something must be in it.

Where would the water inlet be located at? Underneath the boat?

 

[Cambo]

Yes the inlet is under the boat starboard side it could be hard to see looking from underneath mine is 1/2 on the bunk . If you look in the engine compartment starboard side you will see a lever for the seacock valve, up is open down is closed . This could be used to prevent water from entering the bag if that’s even what’s happening.

How much water is in the bag? Could you have used it or accidentally had it go on and it would not empty completely because the water being sucked out from the pump was blocked by the bag shrinking . Its like when you take a vacuum and accidentally suck something up that will block the air flow . Im almost positive this throws the code for seacock obstruction

 

[Cambo]

1/2 full is a lot of water are you sure it’s closed . It’s a giant valve and if closed should not let water in . They tried to make these systems smart with a timer but it just does not work at least 50% of the time . The pump jumper cable is a manual way to empty or fill if you are having issues

 

[swatski]

This sounds kind of crazy, the Yamaha ballast system seems more backwards the more I look at it... pumps under waterline is a bad idea.
In a nicely designed custom WakeMakers system pumps can sit in the wet compartments in the stern, above the swim deck high and dry.

All 4 of my pumps sit there.

fiberglass).

 

[Zach Stokes]

1/2 full is a lot of water are you sure it’s closed . It’s a giant valve and if closed should not let water in . They tried to make these systems smart with a timer but it just does not work at least 50% of the time . The pump jumper cable is a manual way to empty or fill if you are having issues

Where would u find the pump jumper cable and how does it work? Because we docked it last night and the center ballast on the screen said 0% but the bag was 1/4 full so that’s probably what happened was the bag was blocking the hose

 

[Zach Stokes]

Yes the inlet is under the boat starboard side it could be hard to see looking from underneath mine is 1/2 on the bunk . If you look in the engine compartment starboard side you will see a lever for the seacock valve, up is open down is closed . This could be used to prevent water from entering the bag if that’s even what’s happening.

How much water is in the bag? Could you have used it or accidentally had it go on and it would not empty completely because the water being sucked out from the pump was blocked by the bag shrinking . Its like when you take a vacuum and accidentally suck something up that will block the air flow . Im almost positive this throws the code or seacock obstruction

The bag blocking it was the problem. Thanks again for the help

 

[Cambo]

Where would u find the pump jumper cable and how does it work? Because we docked it last night and the center ballast on the screen said 0% but the bag was 1/4 full so that’s probably what happened was the bag was blocking the hose

Pump jumper cable info

https://jetboaters.net/threads/ballast-pump-jumper-cable.19754/