DIY Ballast Install

[Moki]

I am still thinking about implementing the ballast system the same way that Malibu does it; instead of one large hole of for a scoop or transom hole, there are three small holes on the bottom for each pump. I don't believe that it would fill as fast as the scoop, but you could still fill up while underway. Second advantage, there are no hand or electric waste gates. Water will only go in the bags when the pumps are running. I know some have complained about there are now 3 points of failure, but what are the real probablities of that happening? Also, with smaller holes, if you do have a failure, it is better than having a big failure with the bigger holes. Malibu has been doing it for years, I don't know....still thinking about it.

[dogbert]

I think that now that you have drilled one hole into the bottom of your boat for PerfectPass, you are entirely too confident about drilling more

[Moki]

It's very addicting, I find myself walking around the harbor with a power drill in my hand. "Hmmmmm, I saw that guy power turning yesterday!"

[CP3]

jim can you give me a better picture of how you connected the pumps to the manifold

[xpjim1]

Okay. In the bottom picture is the pump , the black thing is a 1 1/4 inch mack washer and the nut. Below the pump is the 2 inch to 1 1/4 inch pvc reducing fitting. The bag on the bottom has the mack washer. The I took off the nut and used silicone to attach it to the bottom of the 2 inch to 1 1/4 pvc fitting. The nut fits perfectly on the bottom. I then put Silicone on the threads of the pump and pushed it through the pvc fitting and threaded onto the nut on the bottom of the pvc fitting. The mack washer will seal and it gives a little bit of play. In the top picture you can see the mack washer between the pvc fitting and the pump. Hope that helps. You must remember to cut the threads on the pump shorter before assembling as they are way to long.

Hope that helps

[CP3]

Ok that makes sense but how are you going to attach the pump at the end if you want to add on? really long socket extension?

[xpjim1]

I already siliconed the nut in the fitting. All i need to do is unthread the plug at the end and thread the pump into the fitting and be good to go. Again if you get the right pvc adapter the nut is a tight fit in the bottom of it. If you want to make sure it will never move use pvc cement

[xpjim1]

Here is a link showing the picture of the pumps thru the adapter and the nut on the bottom. The last pump is where i had cut off the extra threads on the pump

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...5&postcount=87

[talltigeguy]

I am still thinking about implementing the ballast system the same way that Malibu does it; instead of one large hole of for a scoop or transom hole, there are three small holes on the bottom for each pump. I don't believe that it would fill as fast as the scoop, but you could still fill up while underway. Second advantage, there are no hand or electric waste gates. Water will only go in the bags when the pumps are running. I know some have complained about there are now 3 points of failure, but what are the real probablities of that happening? Also, with smaller holes, if you do have a failure, it is better than having a big failure with the bigger holes. Malibu has been doing it for years, I don't know....still thinking about it.

Moki,

Where do you think would be the best place to put the holes? I am trying to envision how I would do it, and it seems that the intakes have to be between the stringers, you couldn't just go through the floor in the storage compartments. So then I would have 3 individual holes with pumps attached scattered throughout the bilge. I think that I would have to see how bu does it to understand how it might work without seeming cumbersome.

[CP3]

I just ordered 5 more tsunami pumps to make the ballast system and the fittings for the bags

[xpjim1]

I just ordered one more pump for the 2nd drain pump on the bow bag.

[CP3]

did you use the tige through hull drains?

[xpjim1]

did you use the tige through hull drains?

Not sure what you mean here. The only thru hull drains tige has is the center drain above the taps plate and the the thru hull for the bilge pump. I have already put in 3 additional thru hulls to drain the front starboard, port rear and starboard rear. I am going to install another thru hull for the front port drain pump I install.

[Moki]

Moki,

Where do you think would be the best place to put the holes? I am trying to envision how I would do it, and it seems that the intakes have to be between the stringers, you couldn't just go through the floor in the storage compartments. So then I would have 3 individual holes with pumps attached scattered throughout the bilge. I think that I would have to see how bu does it to understand how it might work without seeming cumbersome.

I will try to get a picture of my neighbors to post, but the holes were fairly close together just in front of the scoop for the engine intake.

[CP3]

better question where did you get your thru hull vetn/drains