heater or upgraded fill ballast system??

[saskie99]

What would you do? Upgrade your ballast system to the new reversible pumps to increase fill times or install a heater? Cost is roughly the same but I wont be able to do both this summer??

[kaneboats]

That would be easy for me in FL, but for you???? Ask yourself how many times you would use each thing.
Personally, I would not put the reversible pumps in my boat b/c my modified system will be faster.

[saskie99]

heater would be nice but i like the idea of no spinkler valves, no anti syphon valves ect and how simple it is to put in. But my wife will vote for the heater all day!

[501]

Without a heater, I wouldn't have a crew half the time in spring and summer. I'd do the heater before the ballast pumps, no question. Use that fill time to do some stretches before riding.

[lsvboombox]

I put the heater in last winter and didnt use it once last year. The reverisble pumps are a simpler, cleaner setup. BUt i dont think i would label them as a faster system unless you are adding a few extra pumps. I would have rather invested the money into by ballast system tan the heater

[bzubke1]

Are you having any problems with the ballast system? I never had any problems with the sprinkler valves, yeah they were slow but it always worked the way I needed it to. If it was me I would add something you don't currenly have before you upgrade something you have that works. Unless of course the sprinkler valves are giving you problems then I would do that first.

[saskie99]

I would be putting a dedicted pump onto each ballast bag.

[ian ashton]

The heater, hands down. By far the best option we ordered on our boat - it's not that it makes out season any longer (I'm sure we'd still be out without it), but it makes things much more tolerable!

[jmvotto]

My vote is heater, I have a great mod install on that size boat for a four port heater.

Kids and wife love it.nd it is so nice in the spring and fall days even august evenings to take the chill off the drivers feet:)


I did a dual 1100 rule fill pump mod to increase fill speeds for mutliple bags.

easy and simple lots of modes on her with that one.

[saskie99]

it is looking like the heater side is winning!

[squeeg333]

I'd vote heater as well. I still need to do that one, maybe this year. But really, like bzubke1 said, if it is working fine, I wouldn't change it. We usually have to drive a ways to where we ride, so fill times for me are a non issue. I just fill on the drive. Heat though, sure would make my wife like me more...

[Nobodyrides4Free]

Heater, you live in Canada!!! Anything to make the season longer is always a plus.

[bergermaister]

Ok, here's a win-win curve ball that might work.

Invest in 2 (3?) of those 12v heated automotive throw blankets that run about $25-30 each. Add another 12v power outlet onboard if you need to.

Then upgrade the ballast with all the money you saved.

If the heated blankets prove to be a hit/desirable this year, plan on adding the heater system next season!

[saskie99]

that is a brilliant idea!!!

[wolfeman131]

I had the heater option checked on my initial order, but was afraid I would end up like lsvboombox. Plus, that option equals a lot of beer & gas. I'm going to grab 2 of these while they're on sale:

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-rubberized-heater-with-fan-96144.html

[WaterBullDawg1980]

That is neat. Need to convert my plug in the back into a 12v and grab two of those as well. Would think they would work under blankets pretty well.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk

[saskie99]

Well, the winner is.........................3 new reversible pumps, I spoke with wakemakers today I am going to run one pump to my mid ship tank and my bow ballast and one each to my 750s. And I am going to order the heated blankets, the fill time improvements are a big deal to me. I know there are faster systems but I like the simple install and like the idea of no sprinkler valves as well as no vented loupes with check valves. Anyway gotta measure some stuff tonight and order all the components tomorrow! Thanks for all advise!
This is the route I am going to follow,
https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?16370-08-LSV-GIII-upgrade-to-Johnson-Pumps&highlight=reversible+pump
I will post pics of my mid ship tank/bow ballast as when speaking with wakemakers they said that my model of boat will take only about 450 to 500 lbs in the bow tank and 400 in the mid so with 750s in the rear the fill/drain times will be pretty much the same and i never would be filling on and not the other!

[lsvboombox]

Get the one way valves for your vent lines. With those the reversible pumps will suck your bags bone dry.

[New Guy]

I had the heater option checked on my initial order, but was afraid I would end up like lsvboombox. Plus, that option equals a lot of beer & gas. I'm going to grab 2 of these while they're on sale:

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-rubberized-heater-with-fan-96144.html

Did you read the reviews?? If you give me your $30 I'll burn $10 and it will keep you warmer.

[saskie99]

spoke with jason from wakemakers, all parts on on the way here!

[jmvotto]

Saskie99. Great mod I did the same setup with different pumps. Last year on the obv 07

750 x 2 in rear, 400 mid, 650 bow. Just watch the bow when fully loaded on that hull. It rides really really dirty....

Watch for mid to big rollers. With that low free board. Other than that you will love it.