Weighting Bow with lead bars?

[PColucci]

I've seen posts about this. Where do people get lead bars for weighting? What are the dimensions and how much do they weigh?

Thanks

[Cheeky]

Tige has 100 lb bars, not sure of the cost. I have also seen my local Nautique dealer has 50 lb bars, but they are $65 each. I do not think he ships any though, it is all local.

[Matt Garcia]

Or you could go the gehtto route like I do.

Buy 60 pnd sand bags, wrap them in garbage bags, then duct tape them. I know sounds cheap but it works well and I get a work out transferring them from the truck to the boat and vice versa! Super cheap too!

[PColucci]

Hmmm... What do these bars look like and dimensions? $65 sounds like quite a lot for one 50lb bar!

I used to fill two fat sacks in the boat (96 2200v) in the front - end to end from the left of the driver to the front of the boat. My boat has a 1200 lb 454 magnum and the gas tank all the way in the back of the boat behind the engine. This sack configuration seemed to be ideal to allow Taps to sculpt the wake and make it peakier but also hold the nose down somewhat so the driver has a shot at keeping a steady speed (may install perfectpass).

This spring I installed an automatic (or almost automatic) ballast system with four hard plastic tanks - two 36 gallon tanks in the rear on either side of the engine and two 25 gallon tanks up front (under dash and in passenger side storage) powered by 8 pumps and controlled by 4 rocker switches on the dash. It drains and fills in less than 5 minutes and beats the heck out of filling and emptying the fat sacks and stepping over them. But I still have my problem of needing weight in the front in order to set the taps high and keep a steady speed. I don't like my options since they take away from the whole beauty and simplicity of automating this process:
1) Use fat sacks in bow as I used to.
2) Pour removable (with handle) Concrete forms to fit under bow seats.
3) Use these lead bars
4) Use sandbags
5) Use side sacks under the bow seats (either manuall filled or maybe by expanding the ballast system?)

By the sounds of the price on these bars I think I'm leaning towards option 2. An 80lb bag of concrete is $2.32 at home depot and it can only get heavier mixed, right?

[Paublo]

My dealer sells 65# bars for $75 that are covered with the same carpet that is used in the boat. Very compact, and you don't even notice them.

[ssrgeoff]

I bought 2 65# bars for $65 ea. when I was in the Bay Area over 4th of July. Ultimate Watersports had them, not sure if they ship. They are lead bars wrapped in molded rubber.

Matt, you bringing sand to the beach?

I think the price for barbell weights have gone up too. But how cool would that be to pump iron while your hanging out in the water while everyone is partying or between sets. Dont forget the Zubaz pants.... These will go well w/ the bandanas and Oakley Razors.

[Matt Garcia]

OMG!! Zubaz! Ha ha ah...funny thing is that I still see dudes wearing those in the gym!

Originally posted by ssrgeoff

Matt, you bringing sand to the beach?

What can I say? Our sport is so darn expensive, still working on another set of racks and a wakesurfer. Priorites man!

[ssrgeoff]

all good Matt... lol

When I turned 16 my first car was a 69 Bug. I wanted it lowered but had to wait, so in the meantime...... couple bags of cement did the trick. Although steering it was a chore. I know GHETTO.....

[Matt Garcia]

LOL! Thats some funny stuff!

[David]

Our sport is so darn expensive.

Amen! Even though I don't buy the boat. BTW, I spent the remaining of my money on a wakesurf so If ya see me out Matt come surf with us. Haven't seen you out there lately. That sandbag and the trashbag thing is a good idea. We need some weight in ours.

[Matt Garcia]

David, I have been doing a lot of my riding after work. The weekends are way too crowded for riding. I usually just bring the tube for my niece and nephew on the weekends. Thanks for the invite, I will take you up on it.