Steel Shot Ballast

[cucv]

Are others getting rust spots in their boat from using steel shot ballast? I mostly use these bags on top of the seats and am getting rust spots between seat cushions and below them.

I'm running Wake Life Ballast and was wondering if other brands don't have this issue.

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[MJHSupra]

I have a different brand. Out of 1K, I probably have 2-3 bags with some small rust spots on the outside. I do not put them on the seats. Mainly under the seats on the fiberglass and lockers - both are fiberglass. I have a few hundred #s that sit on the floor. Gatorstep is not showing anything.

[haknslash]

I use Lead Wake which has a sealed plastic bag inside the outer canvas bag. My lead bags are under my ballast bags and under the bow cushions. I haven’t noticed any rust from them. Might be that Wake Life doesn’t use a secondary sealed bag but not sure of their construction vs Lead Wake.

[larry_arizona]

Also using lead wake with no rust issues so far, season 3.


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[MJHSupra]

That was mine too, Lead Wake with only a few bags with some rust spots.
500#s are probably 5 years old bags. I think these are the ones w/rust spots.
500#s are probably 3 year old bags.

[Zog]

An advantage of lead is that it doesn't rust. If it is exposed to low acid or high salt water, you may see a dark gray corrosion, but if you see typical red rust, it has been contaminated with steel. Plus lead is denser than steel, which makes it nicer for ballasting. On the downside, it has health effects if ingested or breathed that steel does not.

[larry_arizona]

I would be surprised if any companies are using actual lead.


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[Zog]

I wouldn't be terribly surprised if you could get lead, but Wakemakers is only providing steel.

[cucv]

I was watching a Wake9 video and noticed some of the bags were rust colored, I'm sure those bags have been moved around a ton.
I'm going to try and put my bags in dry bags, I just need to figure out which size works best.

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[Wren]

I was watching a Wake9 video and noticed some of the bags were rust colored, I'm sure those bags have been moved around a ton.
I'm going to try and put my bags in dry bags, I just need to figure out which size works best.

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I'm curious how this will work. It seems like a good idea... Especially for any bags that aren't being moved around. But if you're having to move them, you lose access to the handle/straps on the bags. Which would be a pain. I haven't noticed any rust on mine but when I do take them out of the boat (for winter)... They absolutely have a distinct fishy lake smell.

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