211 Rear Ballast Tank System Install

[nautiquenewbie]

Thinking about expanding from just our Center Ballast system which was factory installed. Anyone know if you can buy the wedge rear ballest tanks and then have someone install them? Or do only Nautique dealers have access to the hard plastic tanks and installation. Early estimate I got from our dealer was 1800 to install two rear tanks. Seems a little high. Other option is too buy wedge fat sacs I realize. But wondering about the convenience of pulling out the pump and hose each time you want to ride.

[Mikeski]

RE: 211 Rear Ballast Tank System Install

I am planning on re-plumbing my 211 this winter.

I would suggest that you call mid-ohio nautiques and ask them for a quote on a set of replacement tanks for a 211. Use a modified version of the www.rivaldownload.com ballast system plumbing if you want it to work well.

[fwMiata]

i would use a bigger tank than the stock ballast size, it is only 200# per side. a much larger tank can fit in there no problem.

where in the boat is the center tank located?

[nautiquenewbie]

Center tank is is the ushaped tank under the ski locker. Mike I asked Kellie at MidOhio before I posted if they had hard tanks for the 211 and she said no. She responded like they never carried them. Yes I would like to use a bigger tank but where do you find them.

[Mikeski]

fwMiata,

Keep in mind the 211 weighs 3800lbs so the ballast is there more to shape the wake not make it that much bigger. After some experimenting I just run the rear tanks full and the U-tank at 1/2 to 3/4 depending on the boat load. If you fill the front tank the wake gets too flat.

I am sure mid ohio wouldn't have the tanks but it seems that they should be able to get them, just like you dealer could?

I have seen some guys fabricate stainless steel tanks, but these guys also had friends in the sheet metal business with access and skills to build them on the cheap. Custom bladders can be ordered from ultimate water sports or elsewhere. Then you can add a false floor or a flat top that sits on top of the bag. I guess it's possible to find a shop that might be able to fabricate some plastic tanks but it might not be worth the trouble.

[fwMiata]

we had a 1k# or so fat seat sideways in the middle of the floor and it made the wake considerably bigger and had a steeper lip on it.