Ballast Gate Valve

[TigeDuner]

SPBFAN has the system pretty well figured out for the newer boats and I largely relied on his recommendations for my system. We did have to adapt the intake/drain aspect of the system due to space considerations on my boat which is older. If you're thinking of doing a system, I'd contact him directly.

SPBFAN (Andrew) is the man.................

[chpthril]

BTW, one way to minimize the unwanted filling/emptying, regardless of what pumps you use is to have your thru hull used for filling (and emptying) mounted on the transom instead of using a scoop mounted to the hull. Depending on the orientation of the scoop (facing forward or backward), it will either force water into the system or suck water out of the system while you're driving, especially if you use any thru hull over 1" in diameter. If you use multiple 1" diameter thru hulls on the hull, you really don't need scoops.

SPBFAN has the system pretty well figured out for the newer boats and I largely relied on his recommendations for my system. We did have to adapt the intake/drain aspect of the system due to space considerations on my boat which is older. If you're thinking of doing a system, I'd contact him directly.

SPBFAN has the system pretty well figured out for the newer boats and I largely relied on his recommendations for my system. We did have to adapt the intake/drain aspect of the system due to space considerations on my boat which is older. If you're thinking of doing a system, I'd contact him directly.

SPBFAN (Andrew) is the man.................

Yeah, in case anyone missed it, SPBFan posted up his website address in my Fly High Ballast group buy that he also sells these products.

[dogbert]

Yeah, in case anyone missed it, SPBFan posted up his website address in my Fly High Ballast group buy that he also sells these products.

It's a dog eat dog world out there, isn't it?

Seems to me that someone still needs to put together a kit for those of us who just want something turnkey to install.

[chpthril]

It's a dog eat dog world out there, isn't it?

Seems to me that someone still needs to put together a kit for those of us who just want something turnkey to install.

Well, this dog is running out of places to be chewed on but i'm way ahead of you. The hard part is making a on-size-fits-all kit without including a lot of extra part that would not be used on every install. It adds to the cost and makes people wonder what they left off

[dogbert]

Well, this dog is running out of places to be chewed on but i'm way ahead of you. The hard part is making a on-size-fits-all kit without including a lot of extra part that would not be used on every install. It adds to the cost and makes people wonder what they left off

Aw c'mon, it can't be that bad

Seriously, figure out the variable parts and make that a separate add-on and standardize the rest. Seems like pumps, thru hulls, quick connects, switches, hose clamps and ball valves could all be standardized. The actual bags, wire lengths, hose lengths would have to be measured and therefore variable (or you just figure in a certain maximum amount for the largest boat out there for wires and hose). I'd offer 2 variants, one for the core components and a "complete" system. The hard part is really coming up with the plumbing/wiring diagram and the shopping list that goes with it. You'd actually save them money in the long run.

BTW, I have a 2" ball valve, scoop & thru hull in case anyone's needing one... (I could have avoided buying that)

[chpthril]

Aw c'mon, it can't be that bad

Seriously, figure out the variable parts and make that a separate add-on and standardize the rest. Seems like pumps, thru hulls, quick connects, switches, hose clamps and ball valves could all be standardized. The actual bags, wire lengths, hose lengths would have to be measured and therefore variable (or you just figure in a certain maximum amount for the largest boat out there for wires and hose). I'd offer 2 variants, one for the core components and a "complete" system. The hard part is really coming up with the plumbing/wiring diagram and the shopping list that goes with it. You'd actually save them money in the long run.

BTW, I have a 2" ball valve, scoop & thru hull in case anyone's needing one... (I could have avoided buying that)

There are definitely a list of parts that would be used for every install, the hard part comes with locating the thru-hull and manifold, and supplying the needed hose/pipe/fittings for that. Hose is pretty easy, it's gonna be between 50' to a 100' depending on boat size and type of system (pumps) I roll with, maybe both. Kit would not include sacs, they would be a separate line order item as everyone hase diff needs/wants. Wire = 100' of blk, 200' of red, etc.

[SPBFAN]

Just so no one gets the wrong idea about the electric gate-valve: DONT rely on one as a safety shut-off, you need a manual valve for that! The elec. gate valve should only be used for stopping unwanted filling/draining even, though a system can be designed and built with out one

That gate valve thing would be a cool feature but not needed. We put the valve in a spot on G-Money's boat so that it is easy for him to lift a seat and close the valve or open it while the boarder is putting on a board or life jacket. It is all personal preferance how you want to build your system.