Yes, another ballast discussion

[KyleRass41]

I have a 2006 24V and trying to decide between the enzo sacs or the Jumbo surf sacs(to save a some money? is it close enough to the enzo and if we have 4 people with us usually?) and whether to run Tsunami 800's(sounds like 1200's fittings are not fun to hook up?) to fill and drain or to run Jabsco puppy's. I've read some threads and there seems to be pros and cons to both. Would it be easier to just set up the jabsco's and what is the reason to the shut off valve and the scoop? Fly high just recommends 1inch hose and 1inch thru hulls. That it will fill and drain from the one at the bottom of the boat.
To be able to fill one and drain one at the same time, wouldn't I need two holes in the bottom of the boat(one for each sac)? here is a pic of Wakemakers style of a set up and if that is the case I could then just run the Tsunami's and save some money.

[chpthril]

Lets break this done.

Enzo v's Jumbo: Enzo will give you about 1300lbs and the Jumbo will give you 900+Lbs. The Enzo is a great choice for the 24v and the Jumbo is a great value for the Lbs p/$$$.

Pumps: The Jabsco and Live well aerator pumps both have pros and cons. Do a search and you should find tons of info about them. I use both in my ballast installs and typically let the boat, design and goals dictate with pumps. For you, the 24V will allow for either to be used with no issues.

The reversible Jabsco will actually be about the same flow rate as the Attwood T800. Its actually slightly slower with no hose, but once you add the hose, which creates head pressure, the T800 flow rate drops off. If you are not concerned with fill time, go with either. If a fast fill/drain time is a goal, then go with a single Rule 1100 or twin T800 pumps.

You do not want to use a scoop, just use a mushroom thru-hull for your water pickup.

The ball-valve is there as a safety shutoff in case there is a plumbing failure. You can stop the flow of water into the bilge.

1" hose an fittings will yield a better flow rate then 3/4" hose and fittings.

To be able to fill one and drain one at the same time, wouldn't I need two holes in the bottom of the boat(one for each sac)? here is a pic of style of a set up and if that is the case I could then just run the Tsunami's and save some money

With either type of pump, you can use a common fill manifold, but I prefer dedicated thru-hulls when using aerator pumps. It allows for more flexibility in placing the pumps. With the aerator pumps, you will have a dedicated drain pump for each sac.

That is a very common configuration for the reversible pumps, I think Mastercraft used it about 6-7 years ago. The drain flow is diverted over the side of the boat when draining. It allows for a visual and audible indication that the sacs are still draining. When the water flow slows to a trickle or stops, you know the sacs are empty and you can shut off the pump(s). This is my preferred method.

[duffymahoney]

I will sell you my pair of customs 24v sacs for about he price of a new enzos. They are roughly 1800#s each. The sacs are perfect but I screwed up the fill locations for my crazy ballast system. They would work perfect for jabsco or even a normal ballast system. Hit me up if you are interested. These would be turn key amazing surf wave sacs! My email is duffymahoney@hotmail.com

[IDBoating]

I will sell you my pair of customs 24v sacs for about he price of a new enzos.

Let me guess - you are going to revise your ballast system AGAIN!

Actually, KyleRass41, this would be a good way to get a lot of ballast capacity. Duffy's got a good reputation here so no worries in that department.

[KyleRass41]

so why do you see a lot of people using the perko intakes and not just a normal 1inch thru hull?

[chpthril]

so why do you see a lot of people using the perko intakes and not just a normal 1inch thru hull?

I hardly see any at all using a scoop. I do not know of any manufacturers that use a scoop. Do you have a pic of what you are referring to?

[KyleRass41]

Here are the pics. Perko intake is the first one I see people using.

[KyleRass41]

Here is Fly High's diagram. It seem easier to just fill and drain out of the same thru hull for each sac. Thoughts??

[KyleRass41]

here is the picture...

[Lee Weber]

I just finished my ballast install, and I will say that draining through the vents instead of the through hull is worth the extra plumbing. You won't be able to hear the pumps run dry when the sacs are empty and dry impellers are unhappy impellers. I used Johnson Ultra Ballast pumps because I found a super deal on them on Ebay, but I would have used Jabscos otherwise. I wasn't comfortable with the plastic Rule pumps that need to be mounted below the waterline to prime. My ballast sacs fill easily at the same time through one 1" mushroom through hull that has a ball valve that can be reached in an emergency as chpthril says. He has a lot of very practical experience and will walk you through the process of designing as well as supplying the system components.

[talltigeguy]

Here are the pics. Perko intake is the first one I see people using.

I think you are seeing the wrong people, for the most part. I had a scoop like that on my old boat...then I tore it out later to put in a mushroom. Save yourself the headache and do a mushroom.

Do what CHP says, he has lots of practical advice.

You could use the scoop and face it backwards...but I would only do that if you think you need the strainer because your water is full of debris. But even then, I think a strainer can probably be put onto a mushroom. I see no advantage whatsoever to a scoop otherwise.

[chpthril]

Here are the pics. Perko intake is the first one I see people using.

Those scoops are best used for the engines raw water intake and not ballast. The mushroom thru-hull on the left is what I install/sell and recommend.

[chpthril]

Here is Fly High's diagram. It seem easier to just fill and drain out of the same thru hull for each sac. Thoughts??

When using a reversiable pump, its very easy and practical to fill and drain through the same plumbing.

Thanks for the props Lee and Talltige

[KyleRass41]

Thanks everyone! I'll post some pics when I start the process

[talltigeguy]

Here is Fly High's diagram. It seem easier to just fill and drain out of the same thru hull for each sac. Thoughts??

Absolutely. Depends on your mentality when at the lake. I wish I had a nickel every time I left a ballast pump running to empty or fill the ballast. I was more conscientous with my MC that had Impeller style pumps, but even with that I left it on once, and never noticed until it came time to fill again. MC had a breaker that blew and saved the pump for me. But I constantly left them on for a few minutes too long, and that stressed me out. Seemed like a matter of time before I burned one up.

With my current aerator setup, if I goof up and leave it on, I say oh well and shut it off. No harm done.

Having said all that, if you are the type of person that remembers when you flip a switch and does not get distracted, then emptying out the bottom is nice and simple to install.