2008 XLV - upgrade stock bags in back & underwater lights

[trevormcfar]

Hey guys,

Looks like I am keeping our boat (for now :-) ). Looking at replacing the stock bags and replace them with bigger bags in the back locker. I do have 2 fat sacls we put on the seats with a tsunami pump, but the bags did lots of damage to our seats (lots of cracks and tears) over the years. When we redo the vynal, I want to avoid this from happening again. As such, bigger bags in the rear storage lockers.. How big of a fat sack can I go? Any specfic bags to buy? Also, I assume I will have to buy an extension for the existing plumbing... Discussion?

Last but not least, anyone install underwater lights on their XLV? A buddy did his LSV, but with the hull being a little different with angles and such I was hoping to get some ideas from someone here who has done their XLV. Again, thoughts are apprecaited. (Blue lights will be preferred)...

Thank you in advance.

Trev.

[brain_rinse]

My suggestion is to call wakemakers and get the forum discount. They'll set you up with the right bags (probably 1100s) along with the extension hose with fittings already attached. Easy plug and play.

[trayson]

Yeah, you can use either the 900 sumo or the 1100 flyhigh. I went with the 1100 as everything else in my boat is flyhigh.

I removed the carpeted panels to allow my bags to get a little bigger.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jsdzOyBXd34/VOtd6EJJkjI/AAAAAAAAYDk/uhIyZ-cTUtA/s640-Ic42/20150222_141821.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3xGMC8BBtZs/VOtd1qPUJwI/AAAAAAAAYDU/o9kil86xO1A/s640-Ic42/20150222_141852.jpg


You're going to find that with 1100's in the back it'd going to be painfully slow to fill/empty the ballast. Like 20 minutes slow. There's no easy solution on the 2008 to 'fix' the ballast system. Some have upgraded the sprinkler valves, added extra pumps. I went with a huge overhaul and did T1200 pumps all the way around with new thru hulls and 1" line. Most go with 3 new reversible pumps, often going with 1" line and new thru hulls in the process. The aerator pumps like I did draw less current and have some cost savings, but they are definitely harder to get the whole system installed and the cost savings and the supposed increased speed starts to get more of a push.



As far as lights, I haven't installed any yet on mine. it's in the works, but it's been one of those things that hasn't been at the top of the mod list. I've pretty much figured that they'll have to go in the area above the wakeplate and around the exhaust. that center section of the stern really seems like the only place that there will be access... I did buy the ebay CREE led drain plug light, but haven't gotten around to installing it. That will just be a supplemental light anyway, not enough to be the only light source.

[mcdye]

This is where I put some a my '13 mojo. While in the starboard storage area tying up the wires, I noticed some wiring with butt ends. It seems the main harness still had the wiring for a stab light pole. I wired mine there. Depending on your water, white is the best.

[gpd005]

23291232922329323294I installed a drain plug light on my XLV last summer and we were super impressed with it for being a quick solution. It worked out really well and the light it put off was really good for not having to drill any holes. Here is a link to what I got: http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLUE-LED-BOAT-DRAIN-PLUG-LIGHT-NEW-DOUBLE-HEAD-WITH-CENTER-DRAIN-1-2-NPT-PLUG-/251996788860?hash=item3aac2dd87c:g:ppUAAOSwNSxVAPV O

and here is a pic of it after dark installed on the boat.

[trevormcfar]

I am very impressed with the Drain Plug light for sure... Your pictures are great and I will add that to my wish list for sure...

I think I am looking at the 1100 bags from wake makers.... but would like some input from those that either have the 1100, or the 900lb bags... I am a little concerned about how the bags will fill in the back... Would the 900 be enough? I think stock, I have 400 in each locker... I am not convinced bigger is always better... I like things perfect so any thoughts are appreciated. They also suggest brackets for the panel that protects the engine. Apparently when you have large bags in the back, the weight of them push the panel into the engine... They have good reviews so whether I go with the 900 or 1100lb bag, I will be buying these as well. The other issue is the filling and draining... Until I redo the entire system, Wake makers said that I can put an adaptor on the top of the bag which will connect to my tsunami pump which I already have.... While not perfect, I can use this in conjunction with my stock system for quicker fills and drains which will be fine for now.

So in conclusion... Any thoughts on the 900lb bag vs the 1100lb bag?

Trev.

[trayson]

I am very impressed with the Drain Plug light for sure... Your pictures are great and I will add that to my wish list for sure...

I think I am looking at the 1100 bags from wake makers.... but would like some input from those that either have the 1100, or the 900lb bags... I am a little concerned about how the bags will fill in the back... Would the 900 be enough? I think stock, I have 400 in each locker... I am not convinced bigger is always better... I like things perfect so any thoughts are appreciated. They also suggest brackets for the panel that protects the engine. Apparently when you have large bags in the back, the weight of them push the panel into the engine... They have good reviews so whether I go with the 900 or 1100lb bag, I will be buying these as well. The other issue is the filling and draining... Until I redo the entire system, Wake makers said that I can put an adaptor on the top of the bag which will connect to my tsunami pump which I already have.... While not perfect, I can use this in conjunction with my stock system for quicker fills and drains which will be fine for now.

So in conclusion... Any thoughts on the 900lb bag vs the 1100lb bag?

Trev.

That's true. you can most certainly use a tsunami pump in addition to the factory ballast system. I did that also the first few months I owned my boat.
The factory system doesn't have a vent, so you could easily connect a port to the top for your tsunami. easy peasy.

I also have the divider panel reinforcement. Yes, with the big bags in the back, the panels would bow enough that the panel would tough the side of that muffler crosspiece on my 340 engine.

My understanding is that the 900 fits easier, but the 1100 might get you that bit more of overall capacity. and I liked that everything was flyhigh and designed to work together. Not sure if you'd need additional fittings to use a sumo sack with a tsunami pump.

[dusty2221]

That drain plug light looks too good to be true! Wow, very impressive

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[KG's Supra24]

Agreed. Is your lake super clear?

[kaneboats]

Are you still filling with your stock GIII pump that uses a single Rule 2000 (1200 gph) aerator pump. If so, at minimum you should put a "T" in the line just above the thru hull and run 2 pumps into your manifold. I built a new manifold when I did this and later went to double aerator pumps for each side, drilling one new thru hull.

Here's a couple pics that might help.

23297

23298

[gpd005]

Agreed. Is your lake super clear?

That was on Norris Lake in Tennessee which is really clear! When we were swimming that was in the middle of the main lake on the Sunday night before labor day so the lake had been churned up really good. I have seen a lot of crappy drain plug lights but this one went way beyond what I was expecting. I'm no associated with them or anything before anyone thinks that is the case, I just know for the amount of night time water fun we get this light works perfect for us and it was just the double. They make a triple that I would love to see! I also have a single cylinder wake plate so this light splits the cylinder for the plate so the triple didn't really make since for my application.

I did have it in a couple other lakes that weren't near as clear, the light was still plenty bright but it didn't cut thru the water near as far.