ballast for 1997 prostar 205

[presnalk32]

Im trying to add weight to my 1997 prostar 205. Anyone out there have the same model boat and have put weight in it? any suggestions?

[gatorguy]

I have the same boat. I bought two 750lb bags from wakemakers.com. They have a kit for the best deal I could find. http://www.wakemakers.com/direct-dri...t-package.html It comes with 2 750lb bags, fittings, and pump.

I have used the bags a few times now. It takes about 15min to fill them both, and about the same to empty them. To board I put one on either side of the engine, and to surf I place one in the corner across the back, and the 2nd along the same side so they make an L. Just sitting still on the water the rear rub rail is at the water line, and when surfing the swim platform is underwater, and the wave is about knee to mid thigh high. I get a great wave at 10mph with the above set up and my 3 boys (all together they weigh less then 100lbs) sitting on the rear seat which is in the sundeck position.

When not using them I drain and roll them up and put them under the observers seat.

Good luck.

PS. I forgot to mention. Your boat will be totally overloaded. Plate on the side reads about 1375lbs people and gear. This is 1500lbs of H2O not counting any of your gear. Boat drives like a sluggish tank compared to unloaded, and if you stop too quickly the wave will come over the transom and swamp your boat. You have to have a very attentive driver. Also watch out for lake cops.

[tommcat]

i have 3 bags in mine. a rear seat sack in the back which fits under the seat pretty well unless the bag is completely full, at which time i put the rear seat up into the sundeck position. then i have a bag under each bow seat, although i think i'm changing to the open bow, v shaped bag for the front this year.
i run 2 jabsco ballast puppy pumps in it, but those may go in favor of the new johnson pump since they are a bit faster.

it put out a great wake and doesnt cost me much room in the boat.

[Tmoney]

Do you have pictures of your ballast? Are the pumps mounted, and where? Also, you just use bags under the front seats and under the orgional rear seat?

[tommcat]

sorry i dont have any pics.
the pumps are mounted under the engine cover, bolted to the front on the piece that separates the cooler from the engine bay. i have two through hull intakes, one for each pump with a ball valve so i can shut them off completely in case something goes really wrong.
i have the flyhigh rear seat sac(W705) in the rear and a side sac(W703) under each bow seat.

http://www.barefootinternational.com...h/FATSACS.bifh

[tommcat]

just curious, what engine and trans do you have in it?

[presnalk32]

Thanks for all the help guys. Really looking forward to a great season on the lake

[presnalk32]

quick question on the bow seat bags......The ones u say u have seem to be a little large after my measurements. Do they fit well or do u just not fill them up all the way. I would be willing to not fill them completely if they will fit under the seat

[tommcat]

Originally Posted by presnalk32

quick question on the bow seat bags......The ones u say u have seem to be a little large after my measurements. Do they fit well or do u just not fill them up all the way. I would be willing to not fill them completely if they will fit under the seat

they are technically too big for the area when full. i just fill them until they start picking people up off the seats up front. they fit in there fine empty

[presnalk32]

350 gm 5.7L not sure what the trans is. what does urs have? and does it have a problem with the extra weight?