Replaced Hard Tanks with Sacs

[Red57Bird]

Well I decided to bite the bullet and replace my rear hard tanks in my 03 SAN with the 750 lbs Fat Sacs this past weekend. It took a little longer than I expected (then again stuff like this usually does), but it was time well spent. We surf almost exclusively and what a difference it has made. The surf wake is a monster, especially on the starboard side. When it is just my son and I, we will have no problems surfing by ourselves. I forgot the camera but will try and post some pics when I get a chance.

I did notice something interesting though while playing around with the weight and moving some passengers around. It seems that leaving the belly tank empty provides the best possible wake. Seems that these early year 210 narrow hulls like the weight in the rear and on the rider side. Any weight in the belly really knocks down the wake height.

I kept the aerator pumps in place for various reasons. I know the norm these days is to replace them with impeller style pumps but I'll stick with what I have for now. I will be installing electric valves between the fill pumps and the sacs that will prevent the ballast from filling up when the pumps aren't on. Several PN members have done this and they seem to be happy with the solution.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Replaced Hard Tanks with Sacs

While the weight rearward will make a really tall wake, the weight in the middle and the bow, and along the rider's side will shape it better and make it much longer. You should be able to ride 20+ feet back if it is weighted properly. I would like to see pics. I will see if I can dig up a couple of mine. I meant to take some this weekend and failed to do so.

[Red57Bird]

Slayer - funny thing is that when I was in the boat by myself with the starboard sac full, the wake was huge and it extended out a good 15-20 ft. out. It is going to take some time to play around with the weight and figure out the best combination. One guy at our lake used to have an 03 SAN and he told me that he used to pack 2,000 pounds in the rear riders side and that the wake was a monster. Not sure how you could get that much weight back there, unless he was using lots of lead. With these Fat Sacs full, the boat is quite a handful. I can't imagine having twice that amount of weight back there.

[WakeSlayer]

They don't handle well, that is for sure. The wave varies depending on passengers, placement, etc. I would have to see a SAN with 2000 in the rear corner running to actually believe that statement. My wake would be terrible if I did that. In fact, I frequently will have the rear full, and then drain it a little while the rider is up and on the wave. I can just watch the wave change to where I want it, and then shut off the pump.

[Roddyj]

how are you guys even getting 750s back there. i have a 01 super sport with no tank, nothing and a 400 lb v drive sack pretty much takes up the whole compartment length wise for the most part. definetely fills it up on the battery side.

[WakeSlayer]

I have my batteries up on the ledge forward of the rear lockers, one on each side. Not sure that is the same on the 03. I have a big block in mine and still get 750's in there. There is no room whatsoever left when they are full, but most defiintely fit.

[Red57Bird]

The spacing is different on the 03 vs. 00-02. I have room for hte 750s plus I can put life jackets on top of them and close the hatch. There is lots of room. It is also nice that the vents on the 03 are placed much higher than previous years so I don't have the issue of the sacs draining because of the siphon effect.

[Red57Bird]

This past weekend I decided to replace all of the 1" ballast hose in my boat because there were some splits and leaks from doing the tank to bag change out. I also added some electronic valves on the fill lines so I don't have to keep opening and closing the ball valves when filling and changing tanks. Works like a charm and it is nice being able to push the fill/empty buttons only. No more need to jump out of the seat, lift the engine hatch, and play around with levers.

With the stock aerator pumps the 750 lbs. bags fill in just under 6 minutes, and they empty at about the same speed. The surf wake is great and our boat is now the one everyone wants to ride on when we surf. We had the starboard sac filled, (4) passengers in the back, one passenger up front, and a rider in the water. While surfing, the water was up past the rub rail. I have to admit it made me a little nervous. I guess it is something I will need to get used to.

One of the best changes I have made to the boat.

[Cherasho]

I was considering replacing the hard tanks on my 2001 air with a sack in the rear locker space (perhaps 650lbs w a sack compared to 400 with the hard tanks) and am wondering how involved this is

I am considering doing this or adding lead to the existing factory ballast

[Red57Bird]

I was considering replacing the hard tanks on my 2001 air with a sack in the rear locker space (perhaps 650lbs w a sack compared to 400 with the hard tanks) and am wondering how involved this is

I am considering doing this or adding lead to the existing factory ballast

It was not all that hard. The biggest issues I had was getting all of the correct fittings, and getting the hoses off of the tanks. I used a hair dryer to heat them up and lots of "elbow grease". The results are well worth the time and effort.

I'm not a big fan of lead. I like having ballast that I can get rid of as soon as the riding is over with. IMO lead is fine to use to fine tune the wake, but not as your main source of ballast. However there are lots of owners that use lead and other weighting systems with great success.

[WakeSlayer]

With the stock aerator pumps the 750 lbs. bags fill in just under 6 minutes

That really surprises me. Good for you.



With respect to lead as ballast: The biggest benefit of using fatsacs like Redbird, myself, Bchesley, Wake_fun, and numerous others is the safety factor. They are neutrally bouyant in the water, meaning if you ever have a problem and take on water, they are NOT going to sink you. They are weightless. Lead will. Period.
I use some lead but it is easily accessible and removable in the event of a real problem. Like many others have done, lose the hard tanks and put in an auto system. This is your best overall solution to getting big weight in your boat. Then, as mentioned above, use a couple hundred lbs to tune the wake up.

[Red57Bird]

With the stock aerator pumps the 750 lbs. bags fill in just under 6 minutes

That really surprises me. Good for you.

To be honest it surprised me as well, especially with the electric valve added. I figured that would slow it down some.

[whataniceboat]

Red, which electronic valves did you use and wherte did you purchase them ?

[WakeSlayer]

I should time mine, but I don't think I fill in 6 minutes. I think I drain faster.

[Red57Bird]

Red, which electronic valves did you use and wherte did you purchase them ?

Bought them off of eBay from seller "valves4projects". They are 1" valves that are closed until energized - 1" Electric Solenoid Valve 12 Volt, Water, Diesel B21N is the detail from eBay. They were very easy to install and wire, much easier than I anticipated. I spliced the wires from the fill pump to the valves and then used liquid electrical tape to seal up the splice. Only thing left to do is install the split wiring loom, and zip tie up the excess wiring.