Largest amount of ballast in your runabout

Canucked · Addict Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 873 City: Edmonton

hey been lurking in the forms for a while, had to join to ask a question.

I have a pretty small boat 17' with a 115 Hp motor. Just wondering what's the most weight anyone has added to their smaller boats before saftey is seriously compromised?

I've never put artificial ballast in before but have rode with at least 6 med. sized people (1000lbs of people I guess). It still pulls me up (6'3 225) and the wake is much better. I'm thinking of a 500lb fat sack in the front and maybe 2 smaller (200lbs) in the back plus riders. the boat says 800lbs capacity but we rarley meet that so i'm guessing that is a loose suggestion.

I know the obvious response is to get a bigger boat, but I just bought a house and am feeling a little broke for a few seasons.

charger500se · Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Posts: 12 City: Prior Lake

You should be fine. I had at least that much in my 1995 Glastron 16 foot / 115 HP Johnson outboard. You will probably have to play with the placement to get the best wake.

vision135 · Posted: Apr 12, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject:

I used to add 1,800 lbs in my 18' Scout with a 115. It was fine but it had a little trouble planning had to put the passengers in the front for it to go.

ballywho · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1725

I don't add anything to my mako171 but I play with the engine trim alot and it's OK w/o buying sacs.
_________________
Rehab Forums

Canucked · Addict Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 873 City: Edmonton

Thanks, i'll probably add as many as I can while still being able to plane. Up here a 1990's skiboat is in the $20,000 range (canadian that is, so probably $16,000 US). Shocked

Powaman · Outlaw Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 170 City: escanaba

Ya I have not have any ballast yet in my boat but have had about5-6 people in it and riders still comment about how quick it pulls em outta the water. It has good low end torque but maxes out at bout 35....

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

Just be careful with the weight limits of your boat. There have been several people that have ended up with a sunken boat because it sat too low in the water from too much ballast. Just use common sense. You never know when a big roller is going to come your way and pour water in your boat.

mass_rider · Criminal Joined: 08 May 2004 Posts: 88 City: westminster

I had a 20' I/o and used to put about up to 1800 in it. that seemed to be the most mine would hold safely

matt1808 · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2004 Posts: 1981

if you are adding weight you will want more weight in front than back. It will give you a larger better shaped wake and it wont hurt your planing as much. Unless you are trying some really hard tricks then I wouldn't add too much ballast. You can still do basic inverts with a small wake, and it will make you better learning everything with a small wake.

Liquid*Force*Rider · Posted: Apr 19, 2005 4:29 pm Post subject:

If you get a Hi Five Prop you will get alot more pull out of the hole. You will loose top speed tho.

Canucked · Addict Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 873 City: Edmonton

Any idea what a Hi-five would go for price wise in Canada? I'm gonna take the boat out this weekend and experiment with some different weights, I may go for a ride as well if I'm feeling brave (I think the ice is pretty much all off the lake).

I also think I'll throw some lead in the front of the boat to keep the nose down it seems to always wanna sit really high. Where does everyone pick up chunks of lead?

roundbaywakeboard · Posted: Apr 23, 2005 9:00 pm Post subject:

Take the legal limit listed on your boat and add four times that weight. Anything less will yield an unsatisfactory sissy wake.

Hsprings99 · Newbie Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 43 City: Hot Springs

I have a 19 ft I/O and I have 1500 in it. Make sure you have enough in the front or you'll never get out of the hole.