Question about solid ballast

[mikemskater]

I just purchased (10) 50lb bags of steel pellets from wakeballast for the port side of my boat when surfing. I'm new to solid ballast and was wondering if I should take them out of the boat when just cruising around so that I don't put unnecessary load on the engine all the time. Then again, I'm thinking it's only 500 lbs....what would you all do? Thanks!

[wolfeman131]

I just purchased (10) 50lb bags of steel pellets from wakeballast for the port side of my boat when surfing. I'm new to solid ballast and was wondering if I should take them out of the boat when just cruising around so that I don't put unnecessary load on the engine all the time. Then again, I'm thinking it's only 500 lbs....what would you all do? Thanks!

might burn a bit more gas, but it may be a bigger pain to remove.

FWIW - I remove the bags when I tow & store on the lift.

[Woody929]

FWIW - I remove the bags when I tow & store on the lift.

Too bad I won't have that option

[mikemskater]

might burn a bit more gas, but it may be a bigger pain to remove.

FWIW - I remove the bags when I tow & store on the lift.

Thanks for the input, yea I may remove them when on the lift too. I have noticed the back definitely sags a little bit on the lift.

[mmandley]

I have 400lb in the Mojo

I never remove it. My lift does tilt back a little in the rear but that isn't enough to worry me. I mentally know where the water line is.

For towing I don't remove either. But I'm not over trailer capacity with just that.

Now when I towed from OR to GA I loaded cloths, towels, blankets and stuff blew 2 rear tires and that might have been contributing to leaving solid ballast on board lol

[mikemskater]

I have 400lb in the Mojo

I never remove it. My lift does tilt back a little in the rear but that isn't enough to worry me. I mentally know where the water line is.

For towing I don't remove either. But I'm not over trailer capacity with just that.

Now when I towed from OR to GA I loaded cloths, towels, blankets and stuff blew 2 rear tires and that might have been contributing to leaving solid ballast on board lol

Dang blew two rear tires, that's terrible. I usually don't tow far but I will keep that in mind when towing!

[That Guy]

I'd never remove the 400lbs I had of lead in my last boat but when I would tow out of state to some lakes I'd just set it on the floor over the axles because it made me feel better, loi.

[mmandley]

I was torqued about blowing 2 rears because it damaged my fenders, still need to buy new ones.

I towed for years with the lead so never considered it. I think it came down to loading the boat with household things on the move that sent the tires to their doom