2014 G23 plumbing extra ballast over stock

[c640947]

So after much debate I think I am going to get a 2014 G23 (as opposed to 14 XStar.) Before I 100% finalize things though, I wanted to understand the extra ballast over stock a bit and was hoping you guys could help.

My goal is to have a pro level wakeboard wake without filling sacs in the floor. Sounds like 705-1000 in each rear locker and then Im guessing something in the front somewhere? I have some some searching but havent gotten a clear answer. So here are my questions:

1) What extra sac configuration (750-1000 in rear + whatelse?)
2) What type of sacs are people using? Fly Highs?
3) How are folks integrating it in?
4) Can you integrate it into the screen such that it knows when the extra system is full too?
5) As a sub question to above, how does it know if the stock bags are full? I assume timer? And that would mean it could be adjusted it I needed to add more?

Thanks in advance for any answers you guys can give.

Andrew Davis

[nyryan2001]

Sounds like 705-1000 in each rear locker and then Im guessing something in the front somewhere? Yes 1100s in each trunk. Yes you can add more to the bow. either a P&P sac, or lead.


I have some some searching but havent gotten a clear answer. So here are my questions:

1) What extra sac configuration (750-1000 in rear + whatelse?). I'd reccomend 1100s in the trunks, and an 1100 P&P removeable in the bow.
2) What type of sacs are people using? Fly Highs? YES
3) How are folks integrating it in? Using the factory pumps, splice in Y valves and run the hose to the location. Plumb in overflows to the existing bilge thru hulls with another Y. No additional holes to drill. works great, bullet proof. but it does take approx 10 mins to fill 2950 OEM ballast, then approx another 10 mins to fill those 1100s. We start riding after the OEM is full, and those piggys continue to fill while we ride.
4) Can you integrate it into the screen such that it knows when the extra system is full too? Yes, its the factory pumps. you reach down into the battery compartment to flip the valves.
5) As a sub question to above, how does it know if the stock bags are full? I assume timer? And that would mean it could be adjusted it I needed to add more? You will know they are full when they overflow and pee out the thru hulls. both stock tanks and piggys. But yes they will cut off on their own at about 90-95% full. Just hit the fill button again to top them off.

If you buy a G, have you dealer do the ballast job as part of the deal. Blanton at Buxton Marine in Dallas did both of mine, and he was top notch. seriouslya bullet proof setup.

[biggator]

Serious question.. have you ridden the G stock full? It doesn't 'need' the extra ballast like the x-star does.

Some people like it, but it's certainly not a requirement as much as other boats. I mean - compared to my old LSV, the G is 1500lbs heavier.. then has 3k under the floor stock.

[c640947]

1) What extra sac configuration (750-1000 in rear + whatelse?). I'd reccomend 1100s in the trunks, and an 1100 P&P removeable in the bow.

Where exactly are you putting the 1100 in the bow? Split 500s on each side under the seats?

4) Can you integrate it into the screen such that it knows when the extra system is full too? Yes, its the factory pumps. you reach down into the battery compartment to flip the valves.

So you are saying that after you fill the stock ballast, you have to reach down and turn a value and then fill again the extra ballast? If the screen thinks the bags are full how does it allow you to fill again for roughly the same time? Did you program the screen to do a second set of ballast and is that on a timer too?

5) As a sub question to above, how does it know if the stock bags are full? I assume timer? And that would mean it could be adjusted it I needed to add more? You will know they are full when they overflow and pee out the thru hulls. both stock tanks and piggys. But yes they will cut off on their own at about 90-95% full. Just hit the fill button again to top them off.

I thought the G emptied underneath the hull (which I honestly thought was a very bad thing since you cant tell if they are emptying or not)?

[c640947]

Serious question.. have you ridden the G stock full? It doesn't 'need' the extra ballast like the x-star does.

Some people like it, but it's certainly not a requirement as much as other boats. I mean - compared to my old LSV, the G is 1500lbs heavier.. then has 3k under the floor stock.

I have definitely ridden both the G and the XStar (and the X46 for that matter.) The G wake was great but it can certainly be bigger. Especially with all that room in the storage its begging for more.

[nyryan2001]

Where exactly are you putting the 1100 in the bow? Split 500s on each side under the seats? i'd rec the 1100 triangle sac on top of the seats. That under seat storage is too valuable...box anchor (dont even have to fold it) and life jackets.



So you are saying that after you fill the stock ballast, you have to reach down and turn a value and then fill again the extra ballast? Yes exactly. If the screen thinks the bags are full how does it allow you to fill again for roughly the same time? you hit Bow/Starboard/port fill and it fills. Did you program the screen to do a second set of ballast and is that on a timer too? No, didnt program anything. Its not a complicated as you are making it. if you hit the fill button, the pumps will run for approx 10mins each time.



I thought the G emptied underneath the hull (which I honestly thought was a very bad thing since you cant tell if they are emptying or not)? Its does. Reversible pump like this suck in and drain out thru the sam hole in the hull underneath. No issues. Overflows.... those are Y'd in the the bilge thru hulls on each side of the boat.

We good?

[c640947]

We good?

OK Makes sense. I am trying to get 100% of the weight I need plumbed in (since I know that is the mark to beat with the previous gen xstar.) I am tired of manually filling sacs. It sounds like theoretically you could put underseat sacs in the front, you just lose storage? But yeah otherwise sounds like it works fine.

Don't know if anyone has ridden last gen xstar fully weighted but I am wondering how that compares to the fully weighted G? The stock wake G seemed similar but my test ride was choppy water so tough to really tell. I assume the extra weight G wake is bigger than old xstar fully weighted wake?

[nyryan2001]

If you are working this plumbing into your deal from you dealer... have your dealer call Blanton at Buxton and ask him about the custom plumb job he did for the G23 guy twice in Oklahoma. It'll likely save them time and money, fiit better, and you'll KNOW it will be done right the first time without filling/draining issues. Ive got 110hrs on this same setup between my 2013 and this new one, and it works great.

Yes, you could put sacs underneath the front seats.... but it'll be harder to plumb 2 indiv sacs off the single factory reversible on the front OEM sac. Get the bow pad insert for the walkway... then you get aflat surface that 1100 bow triangle sac fits perfectly. have them plumb it P&P so the hose pops out from a gunnel... then you can remove the sac when empty and you get your bow back.

I am not the 21-23mph wake expert... I can talk 11-12mph surf wakes in much more detail as I sirf primarily.... but dont worry for a second about the wake on the G. It will exceed all expectations... its the envy of the industry. I am going to work 200-300lbs in lead into the nose here over the winter for my use.

[biggator]

I have definitely ridden both the G and the XStar (and the X46 for that matter.) The G wake was great but it can certainly be bigger. Especially with all that room in the storage its begging for more.

Fair enough.. just asking. Lots of people assume it needs a lot of extra (like most boats do).

I'll wait for ironj to chime in - he has a bunch plumbed into his.

[ironj32]

Fair enough.. just asking. Lots of people assume it needs a lot of extra (like most boats do).

I'll wait for ironj to chime in - he has a bunch plumbed into his.

Put 650's in the rear trunk (Pro X Series Rear Seat/Center Locker Sac - W705). They are the perfect Length, Width and Height...there is no wasted space and gives you about a foot and a half of storage on top of them, when totally full.

Put 400's under the midship seats each side (Pro X Series V-Drive Sacs W701). They only fill to about 350. These coupled with the 650's from above, give you the perfect fill on each side...there is no wasted floor space, under the seats.

Put 750's under each front bow seat (Pro X Series Fat Sac W707). They only fill to about 350 pounds. I found that this will give you maximum fill under the seats, as they mold into all the nooks and crannys.

Put a 400 up on the bow walkway. If you use the W701, you'll have enough clearance to still use the air dam on cold days.

If you store about 200 in gear under the port storage (where subwoofer) is, it's about perfect to counter the driver weight and prop pull.

You can plumb all of this in (either overflow...will take for ever, or put on own pumps), except for the 400 in the walk way. I switch boats each year, so just use the manual pumps. It works well, because all of the extra finishes at the same time as factory.

People always ask for pics of the wake, but unfortunately I don't have any...pretty much all we take is video. Attached is a little preview of something I'm putting together for this year. If you pause it when we are just approaching the wake you can see just how big it is.

[c640947]

Put 650's in the rear trunk (Pro X Series Rear Seat/Center Locker Sac - W705). They are the perfect Length, Width and Height...there is no wasted space and gives you about a foot and a half of storage on top of them, when totally full.

Put 400's under the midship seats each side (Pro X Series V-Drive Sacs W701). They only fill to about 350. These coupled with the 650's from above, give you the perfect fill on each side...there is no wasted floor space, under the seats.

and lastly, i assume you upgrade to the 550 b/c the 450 just couldnt handle the weight? i have no idea how the 2014 450 would handle it with the new ratio and prop since no one seems to have experience with it yet.

Thanks in advance.

Andrew

Put 750's under each front bow seat (Pro X Series Fat Sac W707). They only fill to about 350 pounds. I found that this will give you maximum fill under the seats, as they mold into all the nooks and crannys.

Put a 400 up on the bow walkway. If you use the W701, you'll have enough clearance to still use the air dam on cold days.

If you store about 200 in gear under the port storage (where subwoofer) is, it's about perfect to counter the driver weight and prop pull.

You can plumb all of this in (either overflow...will take for ever, or put on own pumps), except for the 400 in the walk way. I switch boats each year, so just use the manual pumps. It works well, because all of the extra finishes at the same time as factory.

People always ask for pics of the wake, but unfortunately I don't have any...pretty much all we take is video. Attached is a little preview of something I'm putting together for this year. If you pause it when we are just approaching the wake you can see just how big it is.

Fantastic. So you have everything plumbed in except the bow walkway? And sounds you like did it with its own pumps maybe? Did you have to go through the hull to do that second system? How is it tied into the screen, etc?

Or did I read it wrong and everything is done manually, its just under the seats?

[c640947]

oh and nice riding by the way. your bag o tricks and style is similar to mine so your feedback is very valued.

andrew

[ironj32]

and lastly, i assume you upgrade to the 550 b/c the 450 just couldnt handle the weight? i have no idea how the 2014 450 would handle it with the new ratio and prop since no one seems to have experience with it yet.

Neither the 2013 nor the 2014 450 can handle that much weight. I demo'd a 2014 two weeks ago, and ended up having to drain about 800 or so pounds out of it. I doubt that even a more aggressive prop will allow for that much extra, but who knows.

Personally, I don't have them plumbed in...for two reasons: 1. I anticipate that I'll move into a new one the next year, so don't wanna spend the time nor money on it. 2. Piggy backing takes forever to fill and empty. I plumbed in just one rear sac last year, and it took way too long.

If I were to want it automated, they would definitely have to have 1, 2 or even 3 more pumps.

I do it all manually. I have 4 pumps and I can have all the extra sacs filled by the time factory is done.

[pholmstr]

Is there no PNP option for the G23 like the new 210 and 230?

[c640947]

Is there no PNP option for the G23 like the new 210 and 230?

Wow that would make life easier if there was, but I would imagine the factory (or the lawyers) think 2850 lbs of ballast is plenty enough.