Ballast Check Valves

[Matt Garcia]

So I currently have the factory ballast and the front bag empties while riding. After discussing this issue with Andrew over at Tigé he sent me some check valves to install.

My question is I am not exactly sure where to install them. He did note that the valves are installed inline with the bags. I posted some pictures of the check valve itself along with the fill/drain lines and the actual drain pump. Also by the looks of the pictures would I need anymore hardware?

In the first picture the top line is the fill line and the bottom line is the drain line.

Can any ballast people out there help me out?

Thanks,
Matt

[mtnsmith]

It looks like you would need a barbed fitting with threads to use those check vavles. I bought one made by a company called whale that have barbed ends on them and you just use hose clamps to put them inline. Where is your system draining out of when you are moving? The vent, drain, or fill? The only way a check valve would help is if it is draining out the fill.

[lee]

Are the check valves threaded or smooth? If threaded, go to Lowes and get some 3/4" male/barbed fittings. Screw fittings into check valves and cut hose close to the manifold in the rear of the boat and install check valve on the fill hose for the two front pumps.

[Matt Garcia]

It looks like you would need a barbed fitting with threads to use those check vavles. I bought one made by a company called whale that have barbed ends on them and you just use hose clamps to put them inline. Where is your system draining out of when you are moving? The vent, drain, or fill? The only way a check valve would help is if it is draining out the fill.

mtnsmith
Not sure where its draining yet, haven't had anyone check and look while driving. Suppose I could. I am pretty sure its not draining through the drain/hull vent as I would hear it or could see it while riding.

Are the check valves threaded or smooth? If threaded, go to Lowes and get some 3/4" male/barbed fittings. Screw fittings into check valves and cut hose close to the manifold in the rear of the boat and install check valve on the fill hose for the two front pumps.

Lee,
They are threaded. Do you happen to have a picture by chance? Not real sure on where that is at.

Thanks.

[lee]

Lee,
They are threaded. Do you happen to have a picture by chance? Not real sure on where that is at.

Thanks.

Or you can use grey plastic ones.

[lee]

mtnsmith
Not sure where its draining yet, haven't had anyone check and look while driving. Suppose I could. I am pretty sure its not draining through the drain/hull vent as I would hear it or could see it while riding.

The water would be exiting out of the fill hole in the rear of the boat. When the boat takes off from a start the momentum would cause the water to flow toward the rear of the boat and just keep flowing until all the water is gone. Gravity helps it flow out also, as the front of the boat will be higher than the fill hole on the transom.

[spharis]

Obey gravity......it's the law!

Lee is nose on.

[Matt Garcia]

The water would be exiting out of the fill hole in the rear of the boat. When the boat takes off from a start the momentum would cause the water to flow toward the rear of the boat and just keep flowing until all the water is gone. Gravity helps it flow out also, as the front of the boat will be higher than the fill hole on the transom.

Thanks for the reply Lee.
That is what I assumed was happening wasn't real sure though.

You mentioned a fill hose next to the manifold? I don't think mine is like that. I see one huge fill pipe and the bottom of the bilge, that then circulates to the 4 fill pumps. Two to the back and two to the front.

Dang I thought I could attach these check valves without having to tear things apart, sounds like I need to get in the gut of the boat now.

Maybe I should just take another trip to Abilene...

[Tequilasun]

I wonder if you could re-plumb that system with Pex fittings, it would get rid of all those finger slicing clamps.

The pic of those barbed fittings looks exactly like Pex fittings.

[lee]

You mentioned a fill hose next to the manifold? I don't think mine is like that. I see one huge fill pipe and the bottom of the bilge, that then circulates to the 4 fill pumps. Two to the back and two to the front.

Dang I thought I could attach these check valves without having to tear things apart, sounds like I need to get in the gut of the boat now.

Maybe I should just take another trip to Abilene...

You can attatch the check valves close to the bags, just does not look as purty.

[Matt Garcia]

Lee,

Do you know if the factory is installing these check valves on all the 07 models with ballast? I would like to see a picture of how they are doing it. I know my local dealer had the same problem with an early model RZ2.

If I were to install the check valves I assume they need to be installed on the drain line on the bottom of the sack?

Anyway, I dont care too much if the check valve is in the storage area, its sort of hidden.



Thanks Mr. Tigé Dealer know it all dude.

[mtnsmith]

Lee,
Is the draining ballast more of a problem with the bags versus the hard tanks? I am thinking about getting rid of my tanks to free up some storage space and I wonder if I would then have to put in check valves for the bow fills.

[lee]

Lee,

If I were to install the check valves I assume they need to be installed on the drain line on the bottom of the sack?


Thanks Mr. Tigé Dealer know it all dude.

The valves need to be installed on the fill hoses coming from the rear of the boat. That line is acting as a syphon and sucking all of the water out and THAT NEEDS STOP YOUNG MAN.

[spharis]

The fill lines are lower than the bag, that's where your water is leaving the sacs.

The drain line loses siphon as soon as you turn the pump off....gravity will pull the water back level with the water in the sack. The fill line on the other hand is always below the water line in the sac, so you get a constant siphon; more so when you accelerate and lift the front of the bow.

[lee]

I tried to say that in two sentences but also did not use a pretty picture like you did.