Ballast completed and installed - Final Product

[hyphen79]

Nice job Hyphen Curious why you used that type of thru-hull? Don't those force water into the system or do the pumps not allow that?

So I went with these thru hulls to help save the impellers. The scoops will force water up the line to "prime" the pumps even though they don't need it.

I am aware that these scoops will cause the bags to passively fill. This is the reason why I added the larger access panel so that way I can shut the valve off if we aren't going to be using the bags.

[hyphen79]

I'm trying to figure out why you mounted the pumps upside down. I also dont see your vent lines running across the pump area. Did you decide to vent on the same side as each sac?

This is a debate I am still having with myself. I mounted them this way for easy removal of the impeller. I looked at it like this. If the big manufactures mount them this way then can't I? I went down to Z-Marine and talked with Steve. He is a good friend of mine, and we talked about the pros and cons. This was when he said that Supra and Centerion mounted their pumps this was from the manufacture. Actually, on the wake makers site they images of a centerion with stock ballast setup this way.

These pumps are disposable in my opinion, and they aren't going to last forever. If I get 3-4 years out of them I will be happy. I am very opinionated and I hope this doesn't come off as me being an A$$.

Each bag is vented to it's own side just like you suspected. I tried to keep this install as simple as possible.

[robert theisen]

Looks great Hyphen! Those screws need to be taken care of or you will get a nice long scratch or cut.

[hyphen79]

Looks great Hyphen! Those screws need to be taken care of or you will get a nice long scratch or cut.

I know... I didn't even know they were like this until I took out the flooring to do the thru hulls.

[NICKYPOO]

This is a debate I am still having with myself. I mounted them this way for easy removal of the impeller. I looked at it like this. If the big manufactures mount them this way then can't I? I went down to Z-Marine and talked with Steve. He is a good friend of mine, and we talked about the pros and cons. This was when he said that Supra and Centerion mounted their pumps this was from the manufacture. Actually, on the wake makers site they images of a centerion with stock ballast setup this way.

These pumps are disposable in my opinion, and they aren't going to last forever. If I get 3-4 years out of them I will be happy. I am very opinionated and I hope this doesn't come off as me being an A$$.

Each bag is vented to it's own side just like you suspected. I tried to keep this install as simple as possible.

Hmm. Well, its your set up dude. Just seems like odd rationale to just go right ahead in the face of known issues (burned up pumps, passive filling and cross venting) when they seem really easy to avoid. Not trying to sound like a know it all, just sayin.

[hyphen79]

Hmm. Well, its your set up dude. Just seems like odd rationale to just go right ahead in the face of known issues (burned up pumps, passive filling and cross venting) when they seem really easy to avoid. Not trying to sound like a know it all, just sayin.

Nicky, you are cool man!
I appreciate your input, and your concerns. You are better at this than I am. Have you seen your ballast thread compared to mine?

I have a feeling that I will be turning them upside down. I keep getting SH*T for the way I did it.

[NICKYPOO]

I'm no expert bro, I just try to read as much as I can.

[Timmy!]

I will be curious if you get weird readings on your depth finder with the one scoop location. I mounted mine in the same place and if I am in a little bit of rough water, the depth finder goes crazy and I never had that problem prior to the scoop being in front of it.

[hyphen79]

I will be curious if you get weird readings on your depth finder with the one scoop location. I mounted mine in the same place and if I am in a little bit of rough water, the depth finder goes crazy and I never had that problem prior to the scoop being in front of it.

I will let you know. I won't be on the water for another month or so unless I can get a kitchen pass from the wife to go play.

[IDBoating]

I will be curious if you get weird readings on your depth finder with the one scoop location. I mounted mine in the same place and if I am in a little bit of rough water, the depth finder goes crazy and I never had that problem prior to the scoop being in front of it.

I saw and worried about that in his photo, too. When I was designing my ballast system I managed to avoid putting ANY thoughhulls on the same side as my triducer. I was more worried about the speed sensor than the depth sensor, though... I didn't want weird cruise control behavior caused by turbulence in front of the sensor. So far the hull surfaces on the side with my triducer are 100% factory stock.

[Timmy!]

It's weird, I don't have any issues with the speedo, just the depth. I've just gotten used to it now and know that when it reads 999 ft that I need to slow down.

[IDBoating]

It's weird, I don't have any issues with the speedo, just the depth. I've just gotten used to it now and know that when it reads 999 ft that I need to slow down.

I can imagine bubbles/turbulence in the water would really confuse the depth sensor. Maybe the speed sensor is less sensitive. I didn't want to take any chances.

[Duncan]

Each bag is vented to it's own side just like you suspected. I tried to keep this install as simple as possible.

At least your auto-fill will counter your passive drain

Seriously, nice install and I know you will love the added weight and ease

[hyphen79]

Update on my install.... Took it out for it's first on water testing, and the system worked great! One little slight issue of leaking, but I fixed it while I was out on the lake. The fill side of my starboard pump was leaking ever so slightly. Stopped the leaking by removing the hose, reapplying the plumbers tape, re-screwing the elbow connector on, and then reconnecting the hose. No more leaking. IWNDR if there is a hose doctor on here anywhere?

Timmy asked about the depth finder. I had no issue with the depth finder. Speedo worked ok in my opinion, but I am still going to install the PnP GPS unit from Nautic Laugic within the next month or so.

[ajholt7]

Are you going to do anything for bow ballast?