LSV Ballast?

[eblom]

I just purchased a 2008 LSV w\the Gravity III ballast. We tried surfing for the first time last weekend and found out we need more ballast... I am debating between replacing the port side bag with a 750lb sac or the 1100lb sac and cant decide... Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

[saskyrider]

750 will work fine but lots of guys are going to the 1100. If your having to lay out the cash go right to the 1100... you don't always have to fill it right full either..

Either way you can stuff the old 400 in the nose on the surf side and it will help out lots to!

[wolfeman131]

get in on the group buy and you can have the 1,100 for the cost of a regular priced 750

[Jeffro]

If you buy the 750, I bet you will upgrade to the 1100 withing a year.

[walb0244]

Definately hurry up and get in on the group buy. We are within 3 orders currently of getting 25% off the orders.

I called the vendor that is doing the group buy and they told me to just do the 750s because the 1100s wouldn't fit in the compartment. I was leaning toward doing a 1100 in each of my rear compartments. I guess I could just do a 1100 in one compartment and eventually possibly get a bag on the other side. I only have one buddy that doesn't surf on the drivers side. I wanted the 1100s also because sometimes i have a hard time getting alot of people to go out with me. So I thought the extra 350 difference between the 750 and the 1100 would allow me to not worry as much about too many people.

Also, on a side note.

Here is a vid of me surfing in my 2006 LSV. So you should be able to surf with the G3 ballast since that is 400lb bags on each rear compartment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwTuYH6isTc

11.5 mph, wakeplate almost all the way down, 250 lb in each rear locker, stock ski locker bag fuel, chest cooler in surf side, 3 people in boat on drivers side.

I would like to see a 1100 bag in the rear locker to see. Also, keep in mind that from what I hear you may have to brace the board between the engine and the locker due to the size of the 1100 bag. Is this correct guys?

[mmandley]

Im actually selling my pair of 750s. I have them in the classified if your interested.

If you decide on the 1100 you will need to brace the inner panels because the wieght will warp them and eventualy cause issues. The panels will be so close to the exhaust manifolds that you could also get heat damage on the panels.

The 1100 should fit just fine in the 08 LSV as my 750 are only filling my V drives about 75%. I still keep vests, towels, tube, and other stuff in my v drives while the 750 is full.

[eblom]

Thanks for sll of the info... Just to be sure, I wont have to brace the rear locker on my 08 LSV with the 1100? If I do, how have other done that?

[wolfeman131]

I think most with the 1,100's in that boat will tell you to brace it. Some have used angle iron, some have used "L" brackets and there are a few other ideas out there. Check under the mod section and/or the wakesurf section.

[bzubke1]

I 've added weight on top of the 750's surfing and the wave didnt seem any better that I could notice. Our set up was 750 full in the rear, ski locker full, two people sitting on the sun deck directly above the 750(300lbs.), one stock 400 on the surfside seat and the other on the surfside in the bow. All this and i didnt notice much of any difference from just the 750 and the ski locker full. I would stick with just the 750 that way you dont have to deal with the bracing. Just sit two people on the sunpad and you have just as much if not more weight than the 1100 without the hassle.

[Jeffro]

I made two indivudual L brackets out of 1x6 Cyprus with a dovetail joint. They have worked well for me, I have 1100's in a 07 LSV.

[08LSV]

Definitely go with the 1100's. I have a 2008 LSV with 1100's in the back, 400 center, 650 bow and am still always looking for more weight... I even fill up my old GIII 400# X2 bags and put them in when I am short on people. If you are going to go with the 750's look in the classified section of this forum. I have seen several for sale there.

I have not reinforced my locker at this point. I heard horror stories of people's bags rolling in to the engine compartment. However after closer inspection the exhaust manifold from the EXCAT engine that is in the 2008's is right next to the inside wall and will not allow my bag to push through even on hard turns.

[mnpracing]

I made two indivudual L brackets out of 1x6 Cyprus with a dovetail joint. They have worked well for me, I have 1100's in a 07 LSV.

Jeffro, would you be able to post some pics of how you reinforced your compartments?