Fat Sacs instead (not in addition to) factory ballast?

[IDBoating]

On a 22/24ve that came from the factory without the factory ballasting system, can fat sacs be installed in the same volume as the factory hard tanks so you 1) don't waste the space, and 2) still retain the storage space?

I'm wondering if the hard tanks are somehow stuck in special places that softside bags can't go.

Thanks!

[dingleberry]

For 2008 and older boats, the factory hard tanks were simply located in the storage lockers. So, using sacs will give you the same ballast placement, allow you to use larger/smaller sacs as you find what works best, and give you back your storage space when they are not filled.

2009 switched to hard tanks that are placed below floor level, so you cannot replicate that setup. But you can add additional sacs in the storage lockers. Of course, if factory ballast was not installed, then you will simply have to add as above.

2010 then added the "surf" and "pro" ballast options, which use sacs in the storage lockers in addition to the below floor hard tanks. Obviously, if you have one of those systems, you can simply swap out larger sacs if you wish. As you noted, this allows you to use the storage space when the sacs are not in use.

[chpthril]

What year? We tried to install the factory tanks across the transom of an08 22Ve that did not come with the factory ballast and they did not fit. Never got a straight answer as why they wouldn't, but that is neither here nor there as I would not want the factory setup AFTER the fact. Like Dingle said, sacs will give you SOOOO much more flexibility and only loss of storage in when the sac are in use.

Now, I would love to see an 09-11 without the factory ballast. Im betting the cavity for the tank is there and a sac could be put there. Just speculation though and would love to see for sure!

[dingleberry]

Now, I would love to see an 09-11 without the factory ballast. Im betting the cavity for the tank is there and a sac could be put there. Just speculation though and would love to see for sure!

You are welcome to crawl around mine at the Mead reunion and see if there is any space under my locker floors. Not getting factory ballast is the one real regret I have about our boat. Unfortunately, I didn't realize at the time that they had switched to below floor tanks.

[majestic]

I would love to find a way to get some extra weight under the floor of my 08. Another 250 to 300 pounds would be great.

[IDBoating]

2009 switched to hard tanks that are placed below floor level, so you cannot replicate that setup.

A dealer told me that a 2009 without factory ballast could have it installed after the fact by the dealer. If that's true, then you should also be able to install fat sacs in the same space. True/false?

[majestic]

A dealer told me that a 2009 without factory ballast could have it installed after the fact by the dealer. If that's true, then you should also be able to install fat sacs in the same space. True/false?

I have seen Tige have someone come up from the factory and add Ballast to a 2009 24ve here in Seattle. They did not do any underfloor ballast just added sacs.

I am sure you could add tanks if you were willing to cut the floor out in the lockers. In the 2010 I have been in I dont believe there is even a solid floor in the lockers it almost feels like they just put carpet over the hard tank. When you stand in the locker you can feel the hard tanks flexing.

I think you should buy an 08 or 09 Tige and cut the floor up and let me know how it goes!

[IDBoating]

I think you should buy an 08 or 09 Tige and cut the floor up and let me know how it goes!

Tell you what - you buy the boat and I'll bring the fiberglass saw. It will be a team effort. {grin}

[majestic]

Tell you what - you buy the boat and I'll bring the fiberglass saw. It will be a team effort. {grin}

Or I will sell you mine and we can still do the team effort.

[IDBoating]

Or I will sell you mine and we can still do the team effort.

I offer $100 cash for your Tige, with the promise that I will investigate the ability to install ballast post-manufacture.

It's a pleasure doing business with you! {grin}

[jason@wakemakers.com]

The cavity is filled with floatation foam and the floor is different in boats without factory ballast, so while anything is possible (I once converted a closed bow Response into an open bow one), it's probably not cost effective in this case.