Rival Ballast System

[Sammamish22V]

Ok, so I finally took some pictures of the ballast system. 5 independent switches, 5 sacks, 5 fill pumps, 5 drain pumps, and fills and drains in 5 minutes. Total weight is 1800 pounds.

[Sammamish22V]

Manifold

[Sammamish22V]

Tige switches integrated into driver panel.

[Sammamish22V]

Rear ballast sacks.

[Sammamish22V]

Valve switch integrated on dash.

[Domsz06]

Looks pretty nice, but for the 2000 grand price tag I can't justify it.

Dom

[Sammamish22V]

Their top of the line 4 bag system is $1295, not $2k. I factored in the value of my time and time wasted on the water with pumps and bags and it was a no brainer. To go out for a quick session in the morning, it would take close to 40 extra minutes per session to fill and drain 3 sacs by the time you set everything up and then put everything away.

That allows another set for everyone, or a chance to be off the water 40 minutes quicker. And if you have people that want to surf, you could have well over an hour alone on the water just screwing around with sacks. You take that time over a whole summer, and that is a lot of wasted time! With owning a business and a family with 3 kids, saving that much time every year was well worth it, not to mention the convenience. Just a different perspective.

[Matt Garcia]

Sweet setup. I know what you mean about the wasted time when trying to drain, fill and move the sacs especially when switching from wakeboarding to wakesurfing. It tends to be a lot of work at times.

[mctrick]

Nice setup. I want. Help!

[forjar]

Nice system. Did you install yourself or have it installed? I am currently looking to design one myself.

[Sammamish22V]

There were 3 of us that put it together. It took a while, but was well worth it. Have had no problems at all in the first 100 hours.

[forjar]

Sounds good.

Are you using only sacs for all 5 tanks or do you have some actual hard tanks installed?

[Sammamish22V]

All sacs. We just put quick fittings on all of the sacs. The next time I go out, I'll take a picture of the sacs empty and full.

[Paublo]

I picked up my new 22V last week with the Rival system. My dealer, Terry, sells the Rival system and did the install. It works beautifully, so simple and it does fill and empty in 5 minutes.

I've got 2- 440# bags in back and 2 bags in front. The weight in front is limited by the space available under the seats, but we estimate them at 200#each. I also added 5- 65# lead bars. One in the nose and one on each side to the rear of the front bags (getting more weight in front). The other two bars I keep out so that I can move them around to adjust for people and gear. This gives me about 1600# total. The bars are covered with carpet to match the boat carpet and you don't even notice them. The rear bags are covered so I can still throw gear into the back and not worry if the bag will get pinched or cut and you have all of the storage when its empty.

As quick as you can pull a wakeboarder into the boat, get ropes changed, and someone out on a wakesurfer, you can drain the bags on one side and be set up for the perfect surfing wake.

I have always thought that Perfect Pass was an option that I could not live without. Now for about the same price as PP you can add a ballast system that makes your time on the water so much nicer and easier. The control swithches are shown and they have a red LED in the end of them. If I had to make a suggestion to improve on the system, I don't know what it would be.

[Matt Garcia]

Lets see some pictures of the wakes!

[Paublo]

I promise pictures next week. In the first two trips last week-end, we forgot the camera once and then didn't have a memory card in it the next time. I hate to sound so stupid, but in all the excitement, the camera wasn't a priority.

[Sammamish22V]

Sweet set up. Terry's set ups are awesome! It is hard to explain to people how incredibly convenient these systems really are. I agree, they are just as vital as Perfect Pass.

[forjar]

Does anyone have a 22 I setup with this type of confiruration?

[Sammamish22V]

It would work the same way. You could put about 400 pounds in each back locker, about 300 pounds under the front seats, and you could either put an extra hose upfront with a quick connect fitting to run a 500 pound bag in the walkway, or just do the rest in lead.

Call Terry and ask him. I know he has done some 22i's.

[forjar]

Emailed them today. Hopefully I can get soem diagrams and pics of a system in a 22I.

[mctrick]

How do I get a system like this for a 21i ?

[forjar]

Contact Terry Barrett at his email of terry@tigeaz.com.

He has answered all my questions about the Rival Systems.

[blr]

Sammamish22V
would you post a pic of your front middle sac under the floor (or at least the hole) so i can see what i need to do to get a sac in there? greatly appreciated!

[Paublo]

I got a some pictures last Saturday, but when you're driving and the kids are operating the camera, they don't take them just like you ask them. But I hope that it gives you an idea what the wake is like.

The first is with the bags empty, only lead and 3 people in the boat. The rest are with bags full (1600# total). Excuse the white legs on the old guy (me), it is time to start working on the tan.

[Paublo]

Sorry the one without the ballast is this one-

[Paublo]

And another w/ ballast full-

[Domsz06]

Originally posted by Sammamish22V
Their top of the line 4 bag system is $1295, not $2k. I factored in the value of my time and time wasted on the water with pumps and bags and it was a no brainer. To go out for a quick session in the morning, it would take close to 40 extra minutes per session to fill and drain 3 sacs by the time you set everything up and then put everything away.

That allows another set for everyone, or a chance to be off the water 40 minutes quicker. And if you have people that want to surf, you could have well over an hour alone on the water just screwing around with sacks. You take that time over a whole summer, and that is a lot of wasted time! With owning a business and a family with 3 kids, saving that much time every year was well worth it, not to mention the convenience. Just a different perspective.

Never thought of it that way. That's 1300 k installed, or did you install it yourself?

[Domsz06]

sorry about the dumb question. I see you installed it yourself.

Dom

[Paublo]

Terry installed mine- part of the new boat package deal. But it looks like it would take 1 to 1 1/2 days for two guys to methodically work through. Maybe quicker if you are real handy and fearless when it come to cutting holes (on a 3 bag system you will cut 4 holes).

[David]

Nice wake...Looks really big and smooth! Have fun with it!

[David]

Paublo,

There is another post for this but specifically the 22v with the ballast, how long is the rope you use...?

[terry barrett]

Paublo, Thanks for posting the pictures of your wakes and describing our ballast system to the other members. We are getting many requests from other Tige dealers in addition to the word of mouth like this. We will be installing our ballast system in Bisch's 24V in the first part of April. I have heard that mention of our system will be in the up coming Wakeboard Mag. We are ramping up to be able to ship on one day notice. Samm. 22V we appreciate your comments also and we are glad to hear that your system is trouble free also. Terry

[Paublo]

We started out at 75' but seem to like 70' better- for now. Speed also can make a little difference, and we are running at 21.5 mph. That is on a brand new boat and I have not checked the PP against the gps. But usually the PP is pretty close.

I also see a lot of comments from others (non-Tige owners), who like to bash the Tige 102" beam and the wide wake. Actually there may be a little difference, but I don't see it. Hitting out in the flats isn't a problem. They must think that having a boat that is 6" to 10" wider is going to make the wake 3'-5' wider out at 75'.

[Domsz06]

people will always bash the boat they don't have. It's human nature. I'm going to be buying the ballast system as soon as I get my tax refund check back. I've been talking to terry via email, and he is very responsive and helpful. I'll take full pics and upload them of my install on my 2003 21ir.

Question for Matt, Harvey, or Terry.

Since we have to drill holes in the hull, how do I go about making sure I dont' void my warrenty? I still have the lifetime plus 10k, so I don't want to mess that up. Thanks for the info.

Dom

[Paublo]

Being a proud new Papa (boat), I can't stand not showing off a little and sharing another picture. And if you can stand another shameless plug, Tige Performance Boats in Mesa, AZ is top notch to deal with and to take care of you. Terry is the man, but there is also a great crew behind him.

[mctrick]

Thats an awesome boat. I'm wondering is there a new trend with the tower mounting being back further? I'm wondering what the advantage is?

[Domsz06]

I was wondering the same thing. I would think that it would give more roll on the boat by being back there. Possibly messing with someting.

Dom

[wolfpack]

The advantage would be that it's easier for the rider to attach their rope and put their board in the board rack rather than making the driver do it.

[Paublo]

From looks alone I like the traditional tower style better, but the reverse tower is growing on me. When I demo'd the 22V in January the dealer's boat had this tower set-up. As soon as you get into the boat you immediately notice that it feels different with the tower in the back. Particularly in the drivers seat, the boat feels so much more open and you have a better view all around you. When in the boat, I immediately liked it so much more. It was a real tough choice- which tower to pick. But even my kids who are tough critics, said go with the reverse.

In Arizona we use the bimini a lot, it is a must have with our sun. This tower allowed us to go with a longer bimini that gives us more shade and protection. With the traditional style tower, it was a real pain to get boards on and off the racks with the bimini up- a lot of stretching and reaching. With the reverse tower you can stand on the platform, lean forward and take boards on and off real easy.

The tow point on this tower is almost at the same point over the boat and there is no boat roll or any other adverse affect. The tower still folds and so far haven't seen any negatives. Like I first mentioned, the look is growing on me but is not the very best looking in my opinion. But everyone that gets into the boat and sits for a minute, says they like not having the tower over and around them. The boat really feels different. It may not be for everyone, but worth a second look.

[Domsz06]

Very nice. Thanks for the info. If I ever end up getting another boat, I'm gonna look at it.

Dom

[Domsz06]

OK, another question.

buying the 4 bag system, with their bags, what's the weight looking like? is it only 1000 pounds? or do I need to get bigger bags, still use all of their hardware and then I have more weight. Thanks for the info. I want to get right under 2000 pounds and just trying to find out how. I have 400 pounds of lead weights if I need them.

Dom

[Paublo]

It all depends on where you put the bags and what size they are. On my 22V we went with a 440# bag in each rear locker. That still gives me a lot of room on top of the bags. The room under the front seats is limited, so there are two bags that I think are sized for 250 - 300# each, but we can only get about 200# each into them before it bumps up into the bottom of the seat and start to overflow. There is more room behind the front bags, but we want to get the weight as far forward as possible. I have 5- 65# lead bars, with 3 way up front and two in the seating area for trim. So that is 1280# of water and 325# of lead. It is all good for now. If we want more later I will put a bag under the bow filler cushion. That would get me into the 2000# range.

[forjar]

I was told that it would add around 1100 pounds with the bags that are installed with the system.

[rushin]

I think I would end up hitting my head with that tower like that climbing to the platform.

[Paublo]

Because the tower arches forward it is not a problem hitting your head on the tower. But the speakers can be a head knocker if you stand up straight on the rear bench before you step on the rear deck.

[Domsz06]

so by using bigger bags, I could get more weight, right?

Dom

[Domsz06]

again, anyone know where to get the stainless toggle switches with the red led in the end? Want to try and get some more to match for my switches I need.

[Graham Morris]

how do you guys go with all up weights. 22v and ve only rated for 2000 lbs total if you put in 2000 lbs water nothing left for passengers or driver?

[xpjim1]

They are Sea Dog switches. this is the closest I could find
http://www.marine-products.com/boat_parts/hardware/electrical_parts/seadog_toggle_switch_illuminated_tip_on_off.jsp
or you could email Andy @ info@tigeaz.com

[Domsz06]

how do you guys go with all up weights. 22v and ve only rated for 2000 lbs total if you put in 2000 lbs water nothing left for passengers or driver?

Mine doesn't have a rating:) I know I have put well over 3000 total pounds in mine and it's just fine:) Just taked a bit more time to plane, or put more weight up front:)

[talltigeguy]

how do you guys go with all up weights. 22v and ve only rated for 2000 lbs total if you put in 2000 lbs water nothing left for passengers or driver?

And the speed limit on the freeway is 75, I never exceed that.

Yes, it is a potentially unsafe practice to overload the boat, but there is a risk/benefit ratio you have to analyze.

[Domsz06]

couldn't have said it better myself talltigeguy!:)

[Domsz06]

xpjim,

thanks andy got in contact with me and I have some ordered.

Dom

[rendawg]

I've seen alot of talk about installing the RIVAL ballast system but can't seem to find info on the internet on RIVAL. Anyone got a link?

[Paublo]

The dealer that put together those systems is out of business. I don't think that it is available right now. If you could get hold of Terry Barrett, he might be able to hook you up. It isn't that hard to DIY.

[dogbert]

Contact SPBFAN, he's got a pretty good system.