General opinion on ballast (but not for ballast forum)

[wakerider3989]

I wanted to know what everyone's stance is. How much ballast would you tell someone to purchase if they wanted to weigh down their boat for wakeboarding? I know this is a broad question, but I was thinking about how so many people are concerned with hiding the bags within the boat so they are not sitting out and while you can do this, at some point you will still ultimately have to purchase additional sacs cause you simply can't hide 3500+lbs. I wish someone would have straight up told me to purchase larger sacs initially so I didn't have to spend all the extra money. I considered varying skill levels might suggest you not go all out, but why would you want ballast if you don't plan on trying to advance your riding. If someone asked for my input on what sacs to purchase, I would say (sparing yal the specifics), for a tige get enough so that you can have at least 3200lbs maxed out but only fill them to the weight you're most comfortable with.

Your thoughts?

[91Terminator]

I wanted to know what everyone's stance is. How much ballast would you tell someone to purchase if they wanted to weigh down their boat for wakeboarding? I know this is a broad question, but I was thinking about how so many people are concerned with hiding the bags within the boat so they are not sitting out and while you can do this, at some point you will still ultimately have to purchase additional sacs cause you simply can't hide 3500+lbs. I wish someone would have straight up told me to purchase larger sacs initially so I didn't have to spend all the extra money. I considered varying skill levels might suggest you not go all out, but why would you want ballast if you don't plan on trying to advance your riding. If someone asked for my input on what sacs to purchase, I would say (sparing yal the specifics), for a tige get enough so that you can have at least 3200lbs maxed out but only fill them to the weight you're most comfortable with.

Your thoughts?

i personally dont think that any one who is not riding professionally needs more then 2,000 lbs of ballast in there boat. Honestly its not like your out there trying 1260's or inventing new ways to win the king of wake so why do you need 3500+ lbs? Just my

Im just saying that if your riding with 3500+ then you should be in the top 10 of the pro tour. Otherwise you really dont need it.

[wakerider3989]

91 terminator, good point. Personally I have thrown a whirly off of an unweighted Sanger, to give you some perspective thats like hitting a speed bump, so I do agree that a majority of a "non pro" trick list can be thrown with very little weight in the boat. However, I disagree for two reasons: A tige has no stock ballast and my 22ve with roughly 3200 produces a wake similar to say a malibu with full stock ballast plus an additional 1000 pounds so to say it is a "pro size" wake would be an understatement. Second, a larger wake may not make it easier for an intermediate rider to throw a 1260, but it sure does allow you to make a simple grab look far more stylish when you have time to not only make the grab but also poke it out.

Also, I'm not trying to sound like a diehard, slam your boat out, board or die type prick, so please don't take this as such.

[bobbysky]

I ran 3200 pounds, with 4 big guys in the boat last night and it was sick. I ride with a kid that is sponsored, and he was throwing down. I'm no pro but I can ride, and you are correct the bigger wake just allows more time so you don't have jerk your spins, or huck your inverts. Makes everything much smoother.

[talltigeguy]

I would tend to side with terminator. 2,000 pounds of ballast is plenty for even pretty skilled recreational wakeboarders. The kinds of folks who obsess about these kind of forums are usually far from average...so if you are throwing whirly's and such, then maybe 3K+ is right for you.

But I think the question is what would I tell someone who is going to put a ballast system into their boat...and 2K is it.

On the other hand, my X45 runs with about 2200 over stock ballast, so total of about 3200. But I don't usually fill it full or you have to ride at 26 MPH to get the wake clean. I don't like it so fast.



This guy was feeling good behind my 05 24V with about 1600 pounds of ballast and just 3 guys in the boat.

[91Terminator]

Ya i am not saying that 3200 is bad i am just saying that most people think they need 3200 when really the most likely dont need more then then factory system. But i am down to ride any wake that has 3200 and if you wanna put that much in there go for it more power to you.