2004 Air Nautique 216 - Ballast Filling

[hornsfan]

As mentioned in the subject we have a new to us AN 216. I followed the manual on how to fill the stock ballast tanks, place the Port and Starboard valves in the "open" positions (these are the valves under the steering wheel) then press the Port and Starboard Ballast buttons on the dash, after a minute or two I notice water starting to come out of the holes on the side. I'm not sure if that is overflow cause the tanks are full or if it is draining while I'm trying to fill. Unfortunately the ballast tank gauges seem somewhat unreliable as they will jump to about 3/4 full and then when I stop it moves to 1/2 full. Am I doing this right. I assumed I had to be driving around to fill the ballast.

[Lakejackson]

If water is coming out the side of the boat that is from the overflow, and indicates the tanks are full.


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[hornsfan]

If water is coming out the side of the boat that is from the overflow, and indicates the tanks are full.


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Thanks Lakejackson

[Quinner]

You do not need to be moving to fill the tanks. If you ski and want to keep water from entering the tanks you may need to close the valves in the bilge (levers with blue handle), in my experience the helm control valves when closed usually still allow water to enter the tanks unless the bilge valves are also closed.

[hornsfan]

Alright, well i'm not sure if it all went according to plan. I'll start by listing out the process by which I went about this.

Boat is int he water I opened up both the Port and Starboard helm valves to the "Open" position, then pressed the Port and Starboard buttons on the dash. I let it go for a few minutes then water started pouring out the overflows on the side. At that point I pressed the buttons on the dash again and closed them helm valves. The Port and Starboard gauges though only both registered 3/4 full (both of them). Again, i'm not sure if they are actually full or if I was maybe draining the tanks while also filling them?

[prowake]

you cannot drain the tanks while filling. physically impossible on the SAN.

the gauges are not very accurate. the overflow is letting you know they are full.

you can also open the lockers and see with your eyes if you are having doubts.

[hornsfan]

you cannot drain the tanks while filling. physically impossible on the SAN.

the gauges are not very accurate. the overflow is letting you know they are full.

you can also open the lockers and see with your eyes if you are having doubts.

prowake, thanks for clarifying the "no drain while filling."