My 22v ballast install

[topaz surfer]

Ok so I'm wrapping up my ballast install on my 2003 22v. I went with a fully automated custom set up that Jason at Wakemakers helped me with. These guys at Wakemakers rock and are very helpful. So I went with two custom v-drive locker bags. The port bag is estimated at 1350lbs and the starbord is around 1550lbs. I removed the rear devider on the starbord side and made a new smaller one that allowed me to move it further back and gain an estimated 180lbs all the way in the rear corner. For the front I went with the bow sac they make with an estimated 400lbs. I'm using 4 Jasco reversible pumps. One for each bag and the fourth for a crossover pump from one rear bag to the other to speed things up. Can't wait to try it out, and if it stays warmer here I might put it in the water just to see. Cause it wont frickin snow here in Tahoe. I'm working on uploading some pics so hopefully they will work.

[topaz surfer]

Here are some pics.

[topaz surfer]

and some more

[NICKYPOO]

Right on man. When are we goin out?

That's gonna be a lot of weight in a 22. Can't wait to see it in action.

[topaz surfer]

Yep its gona be sacked out. I'm going with a better prop for all the extra weight. Might be going out this weekend if it stays nice to test it out.

[NICKYPOO]

It's gonna be windy on Sunday. Probably a little on Saturday afternoon as well but, that would be a fun boat ride.

May all you bugs be minor and easy to get to. Cheers.

[topaz surfer]

Yep it might be a bit chilly. Hope the weather holds out.

[duffymahoney]

I wonder what the distance is for mine. They just go straight across my 24v. So it can't be very far. I would guess 80-90 inches max. How far forward are people running?

[jason@wakemakers.com]

Looks great Dave, thanks for sharing the pics. Hopefully you can get out on the water sooner rather than later to test it out (since there's no snow to play on).

[topaz surfer]

Thanks guys im excited to try it out. Not sure what you were asking duffy? Did you want to know the lenght of the custom sacs?

[duffymahoney]

No I meant, if you vent and drain to the front vs venting and draining to the opposite side. Which one is further.

[Wakeman22]

I am in the designs phase of my build. Where did you mount your pumps? And why did you go with Jabsco over aerators? What did you use and how did you cut the holes for the switches?

[duffymahoney]

Jabsco are an easier install for sure, aerators are fast and silent and tend never to break. Aerators are cheaper, but since you have to buy 2 for each sac the cost can sometimes be the same. Impellars are also huge power hogs and aerators use tiny amounts of electricity. I have installed both a few times and I will never do anything but aerators again. But both should work well

[topaz surfer]

I would think venting to the front is longer. Im filling and draining threw the bottom of the boat just behind the fuel tank and venting to the opposite side of the boat up in the front threw the midship compartments. I went with jabscos cause of the easy of installation and saving space by not having multiple pumps per bag. I didn't have to cut in for the switches, that is where the factory switches were.

[jason@wakemakers.com]

Duffy's explanation regarding pumps is pretty complete, but just to add some more to the topic here's a post on our blog from back in 2009 that outlines the difference between aerator and flexible vane impeller pumps.

Some scenarios will only work with one pump type (filling and draining more than one bag with a single pump for example), so it usually ends up being partly personal preference, partly situationally dependent, and partly based on cost. As Duffy mentioned though, as long as the system is designed correctly for the type of pump that will be used, both are perfectly functional.