O'Day Widgeon sailboat ballast question

[scastig]

Re: 12' Widgeon fiberglass sailboat vintage 1970's...Does this boat have have water ballast compartments? Or, are they air compartments for flotation? The compartments (under seats) on my boat have water...apparently increasing over past few years...and I am uncertain if I have a leak, or if the amount of water is normal. Thanks. sergeca@optonline.net

 

[asautt]

Re: O'Day Widgeon sailboat ballast question

Not 100% sure, but the underseat area is most likely flotation. Worked on some Rhodes 19s of that era that used underseat voids as flotation. Hardly any sailboats were using foam flotation or water ballast at that time.

Alan

 

[zebecfsj]

Re: O'Day Widgeon sailboat ballast question

No, definitely not. The Widgeon is not a water ballast boat. There is simply a space between the inner hull and the outer hull. There should be a small drain plug on the transom off center to the starboard side that drains this space. If you leave water in there, it will rot the mast step and do other damage in there. Under the seats is floatation. The water is most likely coming in through the swing keel hinge bolt. It is not a perfect seal. These boats aren't really meant to be left tied to a buoy. Pull the boat out and let it drain and dry out.
Good Luck