Intake for ballast

[Dave K]

for a 2006 24V: where would be the best and easy place be for the water pick up for an intergrated front bow sac? Thanks

[chpthril]

What Type of pump will be used?

I would recommend a 3/4" bronze thru-hull mushroom topped with a ball-valve. Depending on what type of pump, I would look to mount it some where that would allow access to the ball-valve if needed, but allowed clearance for the pump or plumbing, but was not directly in front of the speedo and depth pickup.

[Dave K]

I was hoping to just use an aerator type, Tsunami or Rule. Should it be closer to the front of the boat?

[Dave K]

How about under the port side console? The wood floor does not extent right to the edge of the hull. Could I put it under the front bow seat closer to one of the consoles? I guess I would have to be careful and not install where the floor is.

[chpthril]

I was hoping to just use an aerator type, Tsunami or Rule. Should it be closer to the front of the boat?

Too far forward and the pump will draw air when the boat is on plain. Right in front of the V-drive unit is a great place, but it's a tight spot to try and reach the ball-valve if a leak is sprung. Again, just a recommendation to be able to reach the valve

[Dave K]

If it was mounted closer to engine then I would have to pull up the floor right? I am not over concerned that I would have to have the boat stopped to fill bags.

In case of emergency, I was thinking of a 3/16" rod about 3' long somehow attached to the end of the shut valve handle so when we open hatch we don't have to reach right down close to the bottom of the boat.

[chpthril]

If it was mounted closer to engine then I would have to pull up the floor right? I am not over concerned that I would have to have the boat stopped to fill bags.

In case of emergency, I was thinking of a 3/16" rod about 3' long somehow attached to the end of the shut valve handle so when we open hatch we don't have to reach right down close to the bottom of the boat.

Nothing at all wrong with a remote actuator.

[jason@wakemakers.com]

Ideally you would want to have the intake as far forward as possible when using aerator pumps, but unfortunately Tige doesn't install an access port in the floor forward of the gas tank, so it will have to be back in the engine compartment next to the transmission and v-drive (it can be installed there without removing the floor).

Under the bow seat is not an option, as you can't access the hull in that location. Plus, although you don't think filling under way it a priority now, you'll thank yourself for installing the intake further back in the boat.

We've played around with rods to actuate mechanical ball valves remotely, but because of the layout it's very difficult to set something up that generates a large enough moment about the internal valve. The rod needs to be oriented very close to 90 degrees from the handle, which is difficult to do for both opening and closing.

Since you'll hopefully never need to access the ball valve (it's only used for emergencies), it really only needs to be installed somewhere that you can get to within a couple of minutes, and the engine compartment is fine for that.

[jason@wakemakers.com]

BTW, I'm sure you've already covered this, but if you're using aerator pumps for the Integrated Bow Sac you'll want to use two for draining with on each leg.

[Dave K]

The third intake if I have it at the back engine compartment would I just run the fill hose up the port side and hook it into the port side top of the intergrated sac? That would mean the left side of that sac would fill first on once that side is full it would drain into the right side correct? I was thinking that the top middle plug in the sac should be the vent line?

I like the idea of the 3 intakes going through the transom. Is that ok or should I go through the bottom of the hull. I have read through the other post on this and understand the pros and cons of each, but which is easier and or better?

Thanks Guys..

[jason@wakemakers.com]

The third intake if I have it at the back engine compartment would I just run the fill hose up the port side and hook it into the port side top of the intergrated sac?

Yep, we typically run up along the stringer next to the fuel tank, and then up into the storage compartment behind the observer's seat back where we mount a vented loop. From there, down and into the port on the leg of the Integrated Bow Sac. That can be a little more work on a boat without a center ski locker or access panel though, so it may make more sense to run out to the perimeter of the boat between the rear seat bulkhead and the rear storage compartment, and then up under the gunnel to the bow of the boat. You can mount the vented loop anywhere in there.

That would mean the left side of that sac would fill first on once that side is full it would drain into the right side correct?

As long as the boat is weighted evenly from side-to-side during filling the bag will fill evenly on both sides. If you have the boat leaning to one side or the other for surfing, that's the side that will fill first.

I was thinking that the top middle plug in the sac should be the vent line?

Yep, that's the typical location for the vent as it allows the air to purge fully when the boat is running at speed.

I like the idea of the 3 intakes going through the transom. Is that ok or should I go through the bottom of the hull. I have read through the other post on this and understand the pros and cons of each, but which is easier and or better?

Like you mentioned they each have their pros and cons, but we ALWAYS install through the hull unless the customer has a very good reason for using the transom. Like I said earlier, it may not sound like that big of a deal to be able to fill while running, but the first time you realize you need to adjust the weight in the boat after you've pulled the rider up you'll be very glad you can.

[Dave K]

Yep, we typically run up along the stringer next to the fuel tank, and then up into the storage compartment behind the observer's seat back where we mount a vented loop. From there, down and into the port on the leg of the Integrated Bow Sac. That can be a little more work on a boat without a center ski locker or access panel though, so it may make more sense to run out to the perimeter of the boat between the rear seat bulkhead and the rear storage compartment, and then up under the gunnel to the bow of the boat. You can mount the vented loop anywhere in there.......

So I would have to take the fuel tank access panel off correct? Is it pretty easy to drill that hole in the floor and get the fill hose to that point.

If I have each fat sac vented do I need a loop in the fill line if I use a 1 way gate value?

[jason@wakemakers.com]

So I would have to take the fuel tank access panel off correct?

In this application, yes.

Is it pretty easy to drill that hole in the floor and get the fill hose to that point.

There is a factory access point already there, so you won't have to drill any holes.

If I have each fat sac vented do I need a loop in the fill line if I use a 1 way gate value?

Vented loops are a bit of a misnomer, as they don't actually have anything to do with venting the bag. If you're going to be using a gate valve then you don't need them, but the nice thing about vented loops is that they make everything passive, so you don't have any electrical components (besides the pumps), and they isolate each bag from one another.

[Dave K]

If I go through the bottom of the boat with brass thru hull connectors (Not a scoop) would there be a signifigant force of water that would continue to fill the fat sacs?

Could the water in the fill line reverse itself and flow through the pump and empty? Would the pump allow water to escape? I suppose check values are required on ALL fill lines? With check values it would rescrict the flow to the bags somewhat wouldn't it?

[chpthril]

So I would have to take the fuel tank access panel off correct? Is it pretty easy to drill that hole in the floor and get the fill hose to that point.

If I have each fat sac vented do I need a loop in the fill line if I use a 1 way gate value?

When you pop through the floor from the bilge (in front of the gas tank) into the port (I usually go into the starboard) storage with the fill hose, run it over to the gunwale of the boat and go up and over the bulkhead wall dividing the bow storage from the mi-ship storage. This puts a loop in the hose that is higher the the sac when it's full, and therefore acts as a vented-loop.

I can probably dig up a pic if needed.