Ballast System Finally Works

[Fman]

OK today was the big test on the new ballast system that I installed. Just to recap. I ripped out the old crappy sprinkler system and single pump. I replaced it with 3 Tsunami 1200gph pumps, three intakes, three vented loops.

The last test, water was entering the bags without the pump on. I read on here about some guys cutting off the bottom of the scupper. I did the almost the same thing. I did not cut the whole thing off. I only cut the scoop off from the scupper. I kept the front end of it on. This will avoid any debris from entering the pumps.

The test. Valves open on the way we go. Have way to our spot, I opened the ski locker and low and behold. no water was in the bags. I had my son look in the rear lockers and the same thing. I had him check to see of the valves were open. Yes they were. The system finally works.

My son want to wakeboard so we time the fill. From start to finish on the 3 400lb bags was 7min and 15 sec. NICE. Very happy with the final results.

We also tried something a little scarry today. It was my boat and a friends Malibu. We were about 20 ft from each other with the sacs full of water. My righ and his left. We created a bowl effect for surfing. It was awesome. My buddy tossed in the ski rope and he surfed from side to side (from boat to boat) for a very long time. I will post pictures wen his wife sends them to me.

Again, after all the test and money that I spent testing the ballast system, I finally found the solutions. Very Happy.

Tazz

Tazz,

I did the same thing, although I am using the 800's, not the 1200's. It gets even better when you vent your bags. Having a pressure relief to allow air to exit the bags is night and day, especially on the front center bag. Removed the plugged cap, installed a quick disconnect there and I added one way check valves, and Y'd into the drain lines right near the exit of the boat. The extra vent line also will allow water to exit when they get full and not over fill them which can cause them to damage. They will also drain better because you dont have the air pockets in them anymore. I also replaced the drain lines with "no kink, ribbed bilge line" (the same stuff you are using on your system) to avoid any kinking when emptying, the stuff is awesome. The black line Supra uses kinks very easily and caused me a lot headaches!

Every time you take your boat out the water and lauch again you will push air into the bags when starting to fill, this completely eliminates this. Congrats on your system, looks like you did a great job. I am filling about 1900 LBS of ballast in about 9 minutes, also very happy with the results, no priming problems.

One other item you might want to check is your fuses, I only had 3 amp fuses for my fill fuses and the Tsunamis use about 2.2 Amps each. 3 amps does not give a lot of surge room, I blew a fuse the other day and finally realized it was because of the increase in the draw from the Tsunamis. I bumped them up to the 5 amp fuses and have had no problems. The 3 amp fuses are good for the sprinkler valves, not so good for the Tsunami's.

I highly recommend this for an upgrade for any '08/older Supra/Moomba owner. For $400 its money well spent.