Quote Originally Posted by FatalDarkness View Post
Hello all, newer to the forum as I picked up a 05 LSV earlier this year. Planned on wakeboarding, kneeboarding etc. as that was what we were able to do on the old I/O. After a few times of going out, picked up a surf board and have been pretty hooked since. Have the boat put away in the garage for the winter and plan on doing a few upgrades over the winter, with one been the ballast system.

The boat appears to have the standard one pump, 3 sprinkler valve manifold system with 750's in the back and a 450-500 in the ski locker.
I have searched and read several different threads on this same subject, and still just trying to make sure that I am heading down the right direction as I know it can be done several different ways.

I was (and currently am) thinking that I want to put in two more aerator pumps w/ new thru hulls, and just ditch the manifold.
Still need a little info before deciding which direction. Understand I would need to stick to mushroom style thru-hulls, but where I get a little lost in on vented loops and check valves...do I need them or do I still need a valve to stop passive filling


Why or why not, let me know

Pros-
Potentially fastest fill times
Less maintenance then reversible
No damage if left running
Cost (depending on all hose & accessories)

Cons-
Air locking
Passive filling/draining
Lots to squeeze down below.
There is lots of info on this topic from back in the day, but the current system in your boat has three inherent flaws:

1. Single common fill pump
2. Restrictive sprinkler valves
3. No vent/overflow connection for the bags

In our experience, the easiest way to solve that problem is with reversible pumps, and unless you significantly discount your time, that is usually the method that adds the most value.

You can do the upgrade with aerator pumps, but like you mentioned, you'll have additional components to fit in the bilge compartment, and the extra effort and cost of adding vented loops. Additionally, because your stock intake is a scupper, you'll need to modify that to ensure you do not have passive draining though the pump that is connected to that intake. Additionally, for optimal functionality, you'll want to ensure you plumb an additional line for the vent/overflow connection off the top of the bag. When you switch to reversible pumps, you'll get that connection "for free" since you can repurpose the existing drain connection from the bag.

Hopefully that helps give you some additional info to make your decision.