what is a better system?

[mcd]

Which is the best way to go? Would you rather go with factory ballast, or go after market.

[da.bell]

You will be able to put in a better system IMO with the aftermarket ballast system and have more weight also. There are a few people on here that have an Enzo sack on the port side and a 400 lbs fat sac on the starboard side. The larger sack on the port side has usually been for wakesurfing.

[chpthril]

The factory ballast is a good set up, an aftermarket/home built system will give you more weight, but take up more storage (when filled).

The biggest Pro of the factory system is the factory warranty. Con is it's limited in weight unless you add you own sacs to it.

Aftermarfet Pro's: customize to your needs, can be done yourself, not overlly expensive,

Con: limited warranty, may need some on-the-spot enginering.

I'm doing my own "Heinz 57" set-up as my boat was not ordered by the dealer with ballast.

Just my

[dogbert]

You could always start with factory ballast. That's always what they'll use for competitions. You can always augment with one or two additional sacs if you don't have enough people on board.

I can tell you that the factory Tige system on an RZ2 puts out a superior wake to the MC X-Star. My kids had an opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison at the Texas INT tour as they had a chance to ride behind one boat one day and another the next.

Talking to just about every rider, the consistent message was, if you ride behind the X-Star, you're going to have to really work for the extra pop off the wake. They all loved the RZ2.

The moral of the story is don't let your kids ride behind an RZ2 unless you plan to get one.

[mcd]

Thanks for the imput.

[ragboy]

I am thinking of trying to get the factory ballast installed this winter. The reason for me, is I have found on my 24Ve, that 400 in each locker, and nothing or a little up front, has been the best ballast for me all around. And that is basically what factory is. However, now, I will get back all of my storage, and can just fill a fat sac in the locker when we surf, to get a better surf wake. The factory ballast, which mimics what I do, will produce a FAT wakeboard wake. It puts out a better wake then a loaded Super Air Natique, MC X2 or XSTAR, or Bu Wakesetter IMHO. And I know this by comparing with the boats used at INT. They use factory, plus load with people, and usually a big sac in the bow. On our tige's, we can have a better wake, without any sacs lying around, or losing any storage. That is VERY cool to me.