View Full Version : after market ballast
Does anyone have any experience with fitting their boat with factory ballast. I have an 03 205v and using fat sacs but growing very werry of them. Any info on how much factory ballast installed might cost or any dealers that might do it. I causually mentioned it to the local dealership this spring and they said I'd be better off just using the sacs. I haven't pursued it any further. Thanks, Tug
lakes Rick
06-12-2005, 10:44 AM
Mag has always said some fat chicks work great....
Don't like their attitude. Ballast works great as long as they bring their own car....don't have to trailer them home.
rem_pss308
06-12-2005, 09:34 PM
You might try Mymastercraft.com
If I had an 03, I would try to purchase one like is installed from the factory. If you decide not to go that route, I might could give you some ideas on a DIY ballast system. Just let me know.
Mine is a 93 205 and I installed the ballast system in it.
My neighbor/friend has a 2002 X-9 He has two sacs from the factory. One in the ski locker, and one that sits under the rear seat.
NatesGr8
06-12-2005, 09:47 PM
hey rem, i'd be interested in hearing what you did for the diy ballast system.
Thanks Rem,
I have just purchased the boat in Feb and the sacs are getting to be a pain. With wife and kids, everyone gets alittle tired of me stacking sacs filling and dumping (me the most). I'll definately call on your info as needed. Wish the tooth fairy would install tonite.
Here is a thread on how I did my 209. Not hard to do but does take a lot of time to do a clean installation. Definitely worth it when you can go from wakeboarding with 1500 lbs of hidden ballast to the slalom course with no ballast by the flick of one finger.
http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=1933&page=2&pp=10&highlight=simer
jclose8
06-15-2005, 05:36 PM
Read this article I posted on Wakeboarder.com..... It works flawlessly. The first system I built used simer pumps. There are a number of advantages to using aerator style pumps. If you want to use aerators, here's the way to do it...
http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=43884
rem_pss308
06-15-2005, 10:35 PM
Tug: I got this response off Mymastercraft.com
"I recently had my local MC dealer install the 2005 factory ballast system in my 2003 205V. It cost about $2800 including parts and labor and works great. I will say that if you put sacs in the back like I did, rather than the factory hard tanks, you get alot more weight in back than the factory system. You will need to add more weight than just ski locker bag to the front if you fill the sacs all the way, because the boat won't plane well and the wake will be like a huge steep wall! I am very satisfied with mine as it is, but I usually don't fill the back sacs all the way except for surfing.
My mechanic tells me it is a pretty tough installation to do as it is pretty tight working around the engine."
rem_pss308
06-15-2005, 10:54 PM
hey rem, i'd be interested in hearing what you did for the diy ballast system.
SEMI – AUTO BALLAST SYSTEM
93 Mastercraft Prostar 205
To start with I used a 1.5” through the hull scoop. From that I put in a ball valve to be shut of in case of problems. ( I know the engine doesn’t have one, but I thought it might be needed. ) I used 1.5” pipe to a Tee that necks down to a threaded ¾” Nipple. From this I have a ¾” I.D. hose run to (2) two Jabsco Ballast Puppy Pumps 18220-1123.( These pumps have run dry protection, and ignition protection, and come with a switch ) One Pump supply’s My rear sac ( 900 lbs. ) The other pump supply’s The (2) two side sacs( 250 lbs each) and a front sac ( 550 lbs). From the pumps I used ¾” flexible PVC, it doesn’t collapse when draining. ( purchased from Lowe’s @ $27.00 for 50’) The 90’s and Tee’s for this pipe have a ½” I.D. which is the same as the I.D. of the pumps.
My rear bag is enclosed in a compartment that I built, also serves as a sun deck. I added a overflow Flapper check valve, and a through the hull ( like the one used for the bilge)
I have a ¾” ball valve at each bag. I also have a PVC check valve inserted into the other hole in each bag. ( Just in case I forget to turn it off in time). To replace the blue waterbed fitting, I used a 1” nipple. I had to use a blowdryer to warm the bag inlet to get it to fit.
When not in use, the front bag is stored in the left front seat., and the side bags are stored in the side compartments.
The Jabsco pumps drain the sacs of water and air, so they are nice and flat, and can be folded up with out having to bleed air out of them.
The system works great. It takes just under 10 minutes to fill completely. It takes the same time to drain, when sitting. It takes about 11 minutes to drain when under way( on a plane ), due to the scoop, I am sure.
rem_pss308
06-15-2005, 10:56 PM
couple more pics
Ballast pumps ( jabsco )
and pic of boat so you can see the sun deck/rear ballast holder