Built-in Ballast: Have alot of folks removed the hard Tanks in lieu of ballast bags?

[biacs]

Hi all,
this is really a boat config question.

For engine access, additional storage when needed, and flexibility- do most guys leave the hard ballast tanks out of boat?
I am still acclimating to my 220. I had a tank out for a steering cable. If I can go to bags, get bigger wakes and have that flexibility- I'll just stash the tanks downstairs for the next owner :-)

[Stevemo14]

Most people with OG 210's remove the tanks for bags. I would do that for a 220 if I owned it. You will lose the gauges for them, but that's about it.

[TexasTom]

I removed the hard tanks in my 220, for someone who does their own upkeep this is the way to go.

[hal2814]

I removed the tanks in my 2011 230. You do lose gauges but I’ve found the 1,100lb Ronix bags are almost exactly 3 pump cycles so that helps. I built a converter box that takes the pressure gauges Nautique uses and converts that to something the gauge can read but it’s not reliable at all. Makes sense given the boats that do have those sensors still rely heavily on timers. I have another idea up my sleeve to get gauges back but I’ll need time to build it.

[MN Ryan]

I'm pulling the tanks from my 211 very soon.

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[04SAN210TE]

Pulled mine on my 210 and installed bags and reversible pumps instead of the separate fill and drain pumps. Lost my gauges and my touchpad switches but at some point I might install some relays and get them going again. Taking the hard tanks out created more room and much easier access for maintenance. Testing it tomorrow.... hope it goes well.

[04SAN210TE]

hey biacs, after testing Saturday... do it!

[zbielling]

Are you guys adding any support to the panels when you remove the tanks and add larger bags to keep them from pushing into the engine compartment or is that not an issue?

[MN Ryan]

I bought the engine panel bracing kit from Wakemakers but haven't installed it yet. I figured for $80, I'd rather pay now and do it while I have things disassembled than need it and have to take things apart when I'd rather be boating.

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[04SAN210TE]

I haven't yet. The divider panels didn't seem to touch the exhaust manifolds but I'll keep an eye on it and buy them if the pressure from the bags is too much. After this weekend I'm more concerned about hose clamps rubbing the bags and eventually wearing holes in them. I tightened them down where they're still easily accessible but the screw head isn't coming into contact with the bag, so we'll see.

[MN Ryan]

After this weekend I'm more concerned about hose clamps rubbing the bags and eventually wearing holes in them.

I have that concern, too. Thinking I'll probably replace them with ear clamps and possibly run a few errands of electrical tape over them.



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[zbielling]

I put some heat shrink wrap over my fittings to keep them from rubbing or cutting.

[tachudda]

We did this with the sacs and reversible pumps and relays and diodes so we could run it while volts are high. Was definitely worth it just to get more control over the ballast, even without the 2-300 extra lbs we get in each tank now.
Other issues that are noteworthy, the reversible pumps are STRONG. Strong enough to blow the fittings off your bags if you are not paying attention. But since they are not free spinning, your boat stays exactly as you set it. They also will pull suction without priming.
Pretty sure we bought some heavy duty aluminum angle to reinforce the dividers and hooked that on the engine side.