Best way to add weight for a bigger wake?

Fraz · Newbie Joined: 02 Dec 2005 Posts: 2 City: Burlington

Ok, so I read the post on fat sacks, and I've still got some questions. I have a Sea Ray 18.5' inboard/outboard. I definitely want to add some ballast. I don't have the option to install an automatic system as this is my parents' boat and I'm no mechanic. So I'm guessing fat sacks are the way to go? I have a ski locker. Will any standard 'ski locker-specific' fat sack fit in any ski locker, or should I measure before I buy? I have two rear compartments on either side of the engine, but lots of other stuff is stored there too. Which fat sacks are lowest profile? How much weight do I really need in the back? Also, I often have waterskiiers on the boat in addition to boarders, so I need a quick way to add and get rid of the water. Which pump is best?

CP3 · Outlaw Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Posts: 219 City: SC

If space is a big issue you really need to "Measure twice, buy once" because you also have to account for the sacs to expand a little beyond their posted size. Even though it is your parents boat you should try to convince them to let you install a semi-auto or automatic because it takes forever to prime the pumps and for the pumps to pump in/out the water.

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

Look on ebay.. I have several of the sacs and pumps from there.
Get a 1100 GPH (gallons per hour) pump at least. Like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/FAT-SAC-1100-GPH-WAKEBOARD-BLADDER-PUMP-NEW_W0QQitemZ7201860207QQcategoryZ47363QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have a boat the same size as you.

I run a 600# sac in the bow walkway, all the way up front. Here is the one I have:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MASTERLINE-WAKEBOARD-FAT-SAC-BLADDER-SACK-WAKE_W0QQitemZ7201728888QQcategoryZ47363QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
I also have a partially full one in the ski locker.

I then run a few waterbed tubes on each side of the engine. They are about 70#s each or so.

Be sure you bring your outdrive's trim up as far as you, without bouncing the bow, it will clean up your wake.

Bambamski · Posted: Dec 02, 2005 2:37 pm Post subject:

The I/O's that I've been in or owned all did better with more weight in the bow. Your boat will get up to speed quicker and will hold speed better when you trim the leg up with the extra weight up there. I'd put 75% of your weight up front. If you don't have much room around the engine get a 100 pounds of lead on either side of the engine. Pretty much takes up no room and you shouldn't have any problems trailering 200 extra pounds of lead. Call your local metal crap yards, they'll sell it too you for around 30-40 cents a pound.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

What's the harm in buying a sack that's too big? The water will just force the sack to fill the locker entirely. The sack in the front locker of my malibu came stock and if you take out the plastic board that rests on top of it, it wll overfill to the point where you can't close the door anymore, but it causes no harm. As long as it's not so much bigger that it folds over on itself and can't fill.....

silvtongdvl · Outlaw Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 187 City: Crosby,TX

As long as the sac has a direction to go - no problem. Too big a sac in the rear compartments could cause a major problem. Its hydraulics - it could bust the boat hull open. Remember the Moomba pics?
I agree that the sac would have to be grossly oversize but someone did it.
~S~

Fraz · Newbie Joined: 02 Dec 2005 Posts: 2 City: Burlington

Thanks for all the great feedback.

Vampyre- that's a lot of fat sacks you've got in your boat- the 1 in the bow, 1 in the locker, and 2 in back. Do you have an automatic system, or do you fill each individually? If so, how long does that take?

And (forgive my naivete here- I've never used a fat sack) do you really have to pump each one out too, or, for example, can I just 'dump' the one in the ski locker since the locker has a drain in it?

Vampyre · Addict Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 622 City: Ooltewah, TN

Well, alas, no automatic system (yet) My wife isn't crazy about drilling a large hole in the bottom of the boat to fill it up Smile

The ski locker sac pretty much stays full all the time, even trailiering..
The front sac takes like 5-10 minutes, and the rear ones are quick.
Never timed it, but usually fill them coming out from the dock, it's a long no wake zone, so it's no big deal for me.

The ski locker sac.. I don't think I would just drain into bilge.. probably would be ok, running the onbard bilge pump.. but I'm no sure it could keep up with the outpouring of the fat sac.. I personally wouldn't really do it.. but I have never tried.

wesgardner · Posted: Dec 03, 2005 3:00 pm Post subject:

Hey All,

Just a freindly reminder...weight left in the boat (lead, concrete, etc.) ++CAN++ have a not-so-great affect on trailering....trailers generally don't have too much reserve capacity built in so BE CAREFUL or remove the weight....

As far as dumping the ski locker, yes you can...and when you get back to the ramp, pull the plug in the stern and the water will run out....also most bilge pumps won't get th bilge completely free of water....typically not a big deal, just thought you should know.

Wes