Ballast for an I/O????????????

DCdave56 · Posted: Mar 09, 2004 11:40 am Post subject: Ballast for an I/O????????????

I'm running my 2002 Searay 18' with about 500lbs. in the ski locker. I have the money for ballast for this season but can't figure out what to get or where to put it. Limited room in runabouts make it tough.

wesgardner · Posted: Mar 09, 2004 2:57 pm Post subject:

HeyDave,

Some of it may just be experimenting - I'd say you could stand another sack (or two) - maybe 60% bow and 40% stern then trim it....

Wes

bluefish86 · Posted: Mar 09, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject:

Try putting sand/lead under the seats in the bow, and if your seating config is the same as mine, under the driver and passenger seats as well.

Randy · Posted: Mar 09, 2004 4:37 pm Post subject:

We're going to try 160lbs of concrete (in canister) under both the driver and passenger seats in addition to 500lb fatsack in bow this year. I'm hoping it will make a difference

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

I put about 1000lbs + passengers in 18 I/O in the proportions close to what wesg.. said and it makes a big difference.

DCdave56 · Posted: Mar 10, 2004 9:34 am Post subject: yah basically what I was thinking

The 500 in the ski locker made a huge difference last season. 7 girls is nice as well but I need to figure out the balance. I'm gonna try 300 in the back and 200 up front.

DaveBrowning · Posted: Mar 10, 2004 9:38 am Post subject:

Fat sacs and skinny women!! Twisted Evil

bluefish86 · Posted: Mar 10, 2004 11:44 am Post subject:

bmartin, could you post pics of your wake with the ballast? I'm curious to see how big an I/O wake can get.

Alter Ego · Posted: Mar 10, 2004 2:07 pm Post subject:

i used to have (trying to sell) a 1989 searay 160.

we used one sac in the bow with sand under the seats and thats it - with people in the boat they sat in the back and wake got pretty darn big.

Darrin Yearsley (sp) used to post on here. He had a bayliner with a wake that would rival some inboards - in fact better than some.
try to search some of his pics....

Alter Ego · Posted: Mar 10, 2004 2:13 pm Post subject:

his username is Ralph