Cost of ballast

[specialk]

I purchased a 3 sac system from Chpthrill about 3 months ago, everything was included down to glue. Being not very boat mechanically inclined I took it to my local marina. They have always done a very good job with winterizing some other small issues that I have had, as well as their prices were very competitive. I took all of the ballast and had them install it. Unfortunately, where we live is sort of a void of a lot of wake sports, mostly cruisers at one lake and fishermen the others. I am not for sure how many they have done, so I expected it to take longer than most, but since I gave them my boat back in early Nov, I had no major time pressures.

I would occasionally call and they were working on it until mid Jan. Seems excessive, but again, no hurry from my standpoint. So I did not really care. Got the bill, and it as 1900 for install.

Question is, how much did yall have the ballast (not including hardware) installed for. I know Chpthril and others offer a very deeply discounted price, plus they can do it with their eyes closed in about a quarter of the time. I work in a service industry and know that the less you do, the longer it takes. I have not had a chance to test the system, but past experiences would lead me to believe that it would be done in a very professional manner.

I will post pics when I get them, probably this weekend.

Is this an ok acceptable price. I will accept it being on the high end, or is this a rip off price where I need to say something. I never discussed the price before, because I trusted them to do a good job and understood the price might be higher due to a less volume and an increase of time spent on the project.

I have a 2008 22Ve. No stock ballast. Ballast installed, fully wired, etc.

What are your thoughts.

Also, what is the price for the ballast options in the new Tige, can't seem to find it listed anywhere. Because of the great price from Chptrhil I should still be able to get out of it what I paid for it on resale.

[jbort]

When u say 3 sac system; what bag capacity sizes? bag location in the boat? ballast sytems can be complicated especially for the unfamiliar. was there any boat modification needed? What's the std labor rate at the dealer? for many its now $100/hr or close and I could see it taking 19 hrs but seems kinda high. jb

[wallacmc]

The boat I bought came rigged from the factory, but from what it sounds like, you went with a fully plumbed in system. There can be a lot of precision work involved, and as jbort said, that hourly rate is quite high. My guy is $95/hr. I can see how it could rapidly increase, especially if they do virtually no volume of the sort. I can't say whether you've been gouged, but I can see how this price might happen, especially since there was no system to start with and they were dealing with a blank slate.

Unfortunately, I can't remember how much the option was for my ballast on the 2010. There was a line-item accounting of option prices on the sales contract/order sheet. I'd assume it's the same on the 2011s since the fundamental design of the boats (not including RZR or 20r) are the same.

[talltigeguy]

I will go out on a limb since CHp has not commented yet. HOLY !@#$ you got ripped off.

A good portion of the cost is in the multiple trips to the hardware store to get stuff, and researching how to put it together.

I can see you having to pay $100+ per hour at some shops, and I don't see this as being more than a 10 hour job. Although the ballast system is new to them, these should be guys who know how to run a drill, hose and wiring plenty well. Were instructions included too? Maybe without instructions I would add 3-4 hours. Then it is not so bad.

Did he hook you up with aerator pumps or ballast puppies?

[specialk]

Aerator pumps.

[robert theisen]

just a piece of information i got from a reliable source.it is supposed to be dealer cost. but at worst it's manufacturers list.the base ballast system is listed as 1600.00 option it also states you need to add eidb setup which is 544.00 so about 2144.00 for 900lb base system.the surf package is listed at 2000.00 plus 544 for eidb is 2544.00 and that is 1600lbs the pro ballast is 2000 lbs and cost 2600.00 plus eidb 544 for a total of 3144.00. even if thats list price it's always cheaper to get it installed at the factory. i would guess somewhere about 50 to 60 percent of the cost to do it later.the factory has all the parts. they buy them in bulk.they have much better access to all the plumbing areas with engine and transmission out. they do it every day and have it down to a tee what to do.hopefully this will help you access the fairness of your price.

[specialk]

Thank you so much for your reply. It does help. Unfortunately the marina that did it was selling Tige, but just as last month stopped. Again, not a large demand where I live, which is a shame due to the fact that there are 4 lakes within 50 miles.

Seems like the price is high, but looking at factory price (which I assume is very negotiable) seems in line. I did have all of it completely plumbed and set up just like factory with ballast switches, all hidden sacs/plumbing etc.

I am sure that come mid March, nice weather, Inland Blue quad board, and waist high wave, I am sure I will forget the cost.

THanks for all of the information.

Hopefully will post so good photos coming up in the near future.

WIll be worth it, especially with my sons getting older and alot of people that I take don't like the pain can be associated with wakeboarding. Definitely will add a new dynamic to the boat and the season.

[robert theisen]

remember value is in the quality of the work. no matter what the price.if you never have trouble and only experience joy.it was a great deal.you can't put a price on happiness.