2012 RZ2 Ballast advice

[cameroon66]

We have the surf ballast but we are greedy for more. We'd like lower swap and fill times and a bigger wake.

It seems like we'll need custom sacs that extend into the lockers to replace the stock 350s and we'll need to add a crossover system to transfer water from Port to Starboard.

Should we attempt this ourselves? Any recommendations about which sacs/pumps?

What about bow weight? I have read Ragboy's opinions about adding 400lbs up front but I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Thanks in advance. Pretty excited to have the boat in the water in the next month or so!

[NICKYPOO]

Absolutely do it yourself. It's not that hard, its quite fulfilling and, should something ever go wrong, you'll know exactly how to fix it.

The vast majority of us here use Mike's Liquid Audio for all of our ballast supplies. He is a long time forum member here (screen name: Chpthril) and an all around good guy. Shoot him an Email or give him a call. He's got the goods and services you'll need to get it done right the first time.

http://www.mikesliquidaudio.com/

[Ewok]

I would not hesitate to do it yourself if you are comfortable with a screwdriver and power drill. I added onto my basic system with the help of Chpthrill and some other members here especially WABoating, Skippabcol and Duffy, just to name a few. To get my surf wake dialed in I left my u-shaped bow sack installed as is and I fill it full no matter what side I'm surfing on and it seems to help. Look on my profile for threads I've started and you can see my write up and all the help I got on this site, not to mention a few phone calls and a visit from WABoating. Later this summer I might try a crossover pump but its not a priority since my wife is preggers and she won't be surfing the dark side this summer.

[Ewok]

Oh yeah, the MLA in my signature stands for Mikes Liquid Audio, Chpthrill helped me design and order all the parts I needed for the upgrade.

How about if everyone who used MLA for thier ballast to mention it somewhere in their signature? Just a thought.

[kasey200]

For sure get hold of mike. He can hook you up with custom sacs that fill the entire vdrive locker and extend into the lockers. they will plug into your existing system in place of the 350lb factory sacs. I'm sure he'll have some ideas to decrease fill and swap times as well.

[IDBoating]

Later this summer I might try a crossover pump but its not a priority...

Crossover pumps aren't just for switching sides faster. They also speed the filling and draining of your "favorite" side, because you can use the fill pumps for BOTH rear sacs and simultaneously transfer the water from the offside sac to the onside sac. To drain, just do the reverse. My crossovers basically cut my fill/drain times in half, well worth it given how enormous my ultra-ballast custom sacs are. Just a thought!

[Stingreye]

Oh yeah, the MLA in my signature stands for Mikes Liquid Audio, Chpthrill helped me design and order all the parts I needed for the upgrade.

How about if everyone who used MLA for thier ballast to mention it somewhere in their signature? Just a thought.

Ewok, I'll join the MLA signature movement!

Mike is really helpful and "ballast rookie" friendly. I ordered bags from him in January for manually filling and he is finishing up the plumbing for an automated install now (also got an Acme prop puller from him). VERY happy with his service.

[chpthril]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone

Cameron66,

Many owners do upgrade the OEM 350# sac to a larger sac. We have a custom RZ2/22Ve specific sac that is designed to a plug-n-play swap out for that 350# factory sac. It will hold roughly 1200 lbs. Not only does it have the 4 corresponding ports to mate up with the factory surf ballast hoses, we have added 3 additional ports. This makes adding supplementary pumps or a transfer pump, a breeze.

For surf-specific ballast, you can tie a supplementary fill pump into the existing fill pump wiring so they both run at the same time. For those that want to use the base ballast for boarding and dont want to fill a large surf sac at the same time, you can wire those new pumps to their own switch.

[cameroon66]

Thanks all! I really appreciate all the input from all of you. Going to call Mike today!

Very excited about making this happen.

[cameroon66]

Just had a great talk with Mike. What a helpful guy!

One question I didn't get to with Mike is regarding overflow. I was told by another knowledgable Tigé owner yesterday that we should have our spill over valves (I'm not sure this is the right terminology) plumbed into the other sacs rather than out the side so we don't lose water and have to re-fill. Does this make sense? Will the sacs from Mike come with the proper hoses and fittings to do this or should I specify to have those parts added?

Also - Mike said that with a crossover pump and our existing pumps and 3/4" hoses we should be able to switch sides in under 5 mins. Does that make sense? Others have suggested upgrading to 1" hoses and beefier pumps but I think we can live with under 5 mins.

Thanks again for the excellent info!

[IDBoating]

Crossover pumps are wonderful. In addition to switching sides faster, an oft-unmentioned advantage is that they also speed your initial fill and final drain time. Example: If you are filling the port side for the first time that day, you obviously turn on the pump that fills the port side. But you can ALSO turn on the pump that fills the starboard side - and then turn on the crossover pump so the water going into the starboard side is sent over to the port side. Bingo, now you have TWO pumps filling ONE sac. You've just cut your "getting started" time roughly in half!

Same goes for the end of the day. You can have TWO pumps draining whichever side you last used. Again, time saved.

[cameroon66]

I never thought of that. Very cool.

[cameroon66]

Ordered our kit from Mike. Awesome service! Can't wait to get on the water with a new big *** wake!

I have had a look around but haven't found a good post on installation with photos etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[kasey200]

What did you order? Just the sacs? If so you literally take out the stock ones and plug in the new custom ones. It's that simple. (you may have to unscrew the fittings and install them in the new sacs).

[WakerideN]

What did you order? Just the sacs? If so you literally take out the stock ones and plug in the new custom ones. It's that simple. (you may have to unscrew the fittings and install them in the new sacs).

yep... add the fittings off your old ones.. plug the holes with the plugs that come with it for the ports your not using.. and your on your way.. plug and play.