Sea Ray 185 Sport Ballast

Zemog · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Posts: 21

I have a Sea Ray 185 sport 4.3L, and I've been thinking on putting some ballast to get a better wake. Now I got no idea how much weight I should put just that it should be ratio of 2:1, back to front. According to the boat spec it can handle 1,100 lbs. Does anyone have this boat or any idea of how much ballast I can put in and where in the boat I should do it? Please help me
Thanks

kartman · Posted: Oct 07, 2011 6:39 pm Post subject:

i would throw a 350 in the ski locker, and about 200 in the bow. add weight to the back to clean up the wake. you can also use the trim to clean up the wake a little more.

Zemog · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Posts: 21

you talking in LBS?

kartman · Posted: Oct 07, 2011 7:35 pm Post subject:

Zemog · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Posts: 21

I should put no fat sacs in the back of the boat? Because I've always heard the rule of ratio 2:1, back to front. This is a layout of my boat if it helps

kartman · Posted: Oct 08, 2011 6:14 am Post subject:

you have an i/o. they like the weight in the front. it helps them get on plane. if you stash all the weight in the back, you will just plow (wheelie) through the water. i wont tell you to not do it as every hull is different, im just saying that it hasnt worked on every i/o that i have ever been on.

350 lbs in the center, and 250-350 in the bow would be perfect i think.

Zemog · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Posts: 21

Ok thank you very much, will this fat sacks give me a decent wake to practice? I'm a beginner just started to land my backrolls, but on a friends boat. Will I be able to do it on mine?

HHI Dave · Posted: Oct 08, 2011 10:42 am Post subject:

In my experience with I/O's, including a friend's 4.3L Sea Ray, you really only need to weight the bow. Once on plane, you adjust the trim to clean and shape the wake. As previously stated, weight in the rear just causes the bow to ride high and the boat to struggle to get on plane. I'd start out with with a single sac of 300-400 lbs on the floor between the front seats and see how that works out. Good luck. Cool

Rhawn · Posted: Oct 08, 2011 3:29 pm Post subject:

Weigh the bow, it drives more of the bow into the water = better wake. Adding weight in the back = wheelstand = washed out, ass dragging wake. (This statement applies to I/Os only)

You will eventually drive yourself insane trying to get a better wake out of an I/O. Safe bet is to just start shopping for that inboard.

PimpinD2 · Posted: Oct 10, 2011 10:42 am Post subject:

Ive seen kids master all kinds of tricks behind i/o.

It's all about technique. You should be able to progress behind your boat just try to focus on proper technique rather than muscling through stuff

buckthis · Posted: Oct 15, 2011 8:58 am Post subject:

"It's all about technique" says the guy with a 2006 mastercraft x1

Zemog · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Posts: 21

Does anybody know if this fat sac http://www.evo.com/fat-sacks/fly-high-pro-x-series-v-drive-wakesurf-sac-ballast-bag.aspx fits inside the Sea Ray 185 sport ski locker?

brichter14 · Addict Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 705

I have a sea ray 180 and the wake is as good as it can get with 600lbs in the front bow and 400 lbs in the back. All of that weight includes people weight.

Here's what I can doo on that wake and add a tantrum and ts frontroll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix8eS_2TZCk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

brichter14 · Addict Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 705

LoudonTN · Posted: Oct 24, 2011 6:22 am Post subject:

Back when I had a similarly sized I/O I'd load 70/30 (bow/stern) and always had good success with it. Also make sure to find the sweet spot on your trim, makes all the difference.