Ski Locker ballast for 98 AN

[phantom268]

Hi All,

Would anyone be able to recommend a sac to put in my ski locker for a 98 Air Nautique? I'd like to get around 400lbs or more if possible in the locker, but not sure of the dimensions. Boat is in storage still right now so can't really measure it hehe. Just running stock 400lbs right now, so I'm rather new to adding my own ballast etc. Any advice is appreciated.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Ski Locker ballast for 98 AN

Phantom,

They make Tube Sacs specifically for your locker. Got one in mine I leave there all season.

M

[gotpwr]

RE: Ski Locker ballast for 98 AN

I would recommend adding a sack to your stern locker before adding a sack to your ski locker. Since your boat is a direct drive you need more weight in the rear before adding weight towards the front of the boat. This is what I use in my stern locker. It's a pefect fit and could also be used in the ski locker.
http://www.wakeside.com/page/W/PROD/..._tube_sac_W704

Here's my recommendation for the ski locker.
http://www.wakeside.com/page/W/PROD/..._seat_sac_W705

[phantom268]

RE: Ski Locker ballast for 98 AN

thanks for the tips! gotpwr the rear locker already has the stock 400lbs hard tank. And its our main storage area for vests, ropes, etc. If I set a fat sac on top of the hard stock 400lbs tank wouldn't that take up almost all the room back there? Would it be possible to fit a sac under the rear bench seat so itd be more out of the way but still add some weight in the back? I'm trying to go for least possible impact for storage and usability and still be able to walk in the boat etc hehe. Depending on how many people were out with us, could be feasible to have a sac to sit across the back seat and sit folks in the observer seat and bow areas. But that's one reason I was looking at the ski locker as an ideal location, we don't use it to store skis or anything else and its totally out of the way, its begging for a sac haha.

[mfloski]

Phantom, I use one 4-600lbs sac in the rear ski locker, one on either side of the engine. I am building weighted 3 or 4" pvc pipes filled with sand or lead to go in the front ski locker. This give a pretty sweet wake. Not sure if the AN is much different than my Sport, but under the back seat is the gas tank, no room for any weight.

[phantom268]

Ack I think you're right....totally forgot that. I'm thinking I'll just look into a rear sac to either sit across the rear seat...or possibly even in between the rear seat and the engine box. that way if people wanna sit on the rear bench, their legs just extend over or rest on the sac. that might work. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good weight balance considering a direct drive boat as far as additional weight goes? Would something like 70/30 or 65/35 work out a little better for extra weight in the rear since the engine is in the middle?

[gotpwr]

Re: RE: Ski Locker ballast for 98 AN

thanks for the tips! gotpwr the rear locker already has the stock 400lbs hard tank. And its our main storage area for vests, ropes, etc. If I set a fat sac on top of the hard stock 400lbs tank wouldn't that take up almost all the room back there?

I figure you are either going to trip over sacks or your stuff. Whatever stuff I'm not using when the stern locker sack is full, goes on the floor behind the driver's seat. To me it's more important to have the sack in the stern locker. Also, the stuff on the floor behind the drivers seat is somewhat out of the way.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good weight balance considering a direct drive boat as far as additional weight goes? Would something like 70/30 or 65/35 work out a little better for extra weight in the rear since the engine is in the middle?

That sounds about right, maybe even a little higher towards the rear if you want a steeper wake. The general rule of thumb is:
- weight biased towards the rear = steeper wake
- weight biased towards the front = rampier wake

Also, consider how a SAN is weighted from the factory with 520lbs in the rear plus the engine! If you are trying to simulate a SAN wake you are going to need most of you ballast in the rear.

[phantom268]

Re: RE: Ski Locker ballast for 98 AN

I would recommend adding a sack to your stern locker before adding a sack to your ski locker. Since your boat is a direct drive you need more weight in the rear before adding weight towards the front of the boat. This is what I use in my stern locker. It's a pefect fit and could also be used in the ski locker.
http://www.wakeside.com/page/W/PROD/..._tube_sac_W704

Here's my recommendation for the ski locker.
http://www.wakeside.com/page/W/PROD/..._seat_sac_W705

Sorry to resurrect an old thread...but this will hopefully be the year I make the move and add more weight to my 98 AN direct drive. We were considering a boat upgrade, but we're holding off on that. And now my riding is to the point I can really use some extra kick off the wake.

gotpwr your recommendations are the two sacs I've mainly been considering. My main question is about the "rear seat" sac. How well does it fit in the in floor locker? I was debating on which of those two to put in the floor locker, and I'm not sure of the dimensions of the locker to know what would fit best and give me the most weight. I was toying with the idea of getting that big 750lbs sac to just sit in the rear seat, especially when there are few people in the boat and seating isn't that important.

If that locker sac will fit in the rear locker perfectly...I will certainly be considering that one heavily since I"d love to have it outta the way. I think adding two sacs in addition to the stock 400lbs should get me in the ballpark of 1300-1500 pounds and I imagine that will give me a nice boost in the wake. Any more final suggestions or recommendations before I make my purchases??

Thanks!!

[Miljack]

phantom,
I got a custom sack for my 99 Pro Air, which should be the same ski locker as yours. Mine was 74 x 19 x10 and was $280. It should hold about 550+ # If I were to build another one, I would probably use 74 x 18 x 9
I'm having Flyhi quote me on a custom rear trunk sack that could be a perfect fit for you. I pulled my hard tanks, and will replace with a sack that will fill the entire trunk area. Send me a PM with your email and I'll give you more info on this.

thanks,
Jack

[phantom268]

PM sent..thanks Jack!

[rbalan]

Jack,

Have you talked to Flyhigh yet? Will they do a radius?

Phantom,

I started a thread in the group buy section you may want to check out. I'm looking at the possibility of doing a group buy for custom sacs for the ski locker and rear compartment of 98 on Air DD's and Sports. What Miljack finds out will also help us decide on the optimal size and shape of the rear sac, but it should be 850-950 lbs. If anyone else is interested, please chime in!

[phantom268]

Thanks I'll look for that thread! Depending on price not sure I can afford it but I'd definitely be interested if I can swing it.