02 Sport Ballast Install

[xmalibuman]

Recieved my CC ballast kit today finally after 10 weeks and need some help with install.
They supply zero instructions with kit. I think it will be straight forward enough but could use suggestions or any input at all. If someone has pics of there bilge to show the placement of the intake strainers and plumbing routing that would be helpfull.
Thanks in advance for any input.
2002 Sport Nautique transforming to Air Nautique

[AirJeff]

RE: 02 Sport Ballast Install

How soon are you doing the install? Our boat is at the dealer right now, but we hope to have it back in a 2-3 weeks. We've got an '02 Air so I shoud be able to take pics of what you want.

[xmalibuman]

RE: 02 Sport Ballast Install

Jeff, Thanks for the reply and offer. I have the tanks in and all my holes drilled, most off the plumbing is done as of today. I found a engine compartment picture on a boat listed for sale on the boattrader and that helped with my fill pump locations, the only snag I have at this point is two small alluminum angle brackets that I don't know were they go. If you would'nt mind looking under your engine box when you get your boat back and see if you spot them that would be appreciated. They are 1-1/2" angle x 3" long with two small screw holes, I think they are a pump support or?

P.S. My boat is they same colors as yours except grey were yours is black(secondary stripe?)

[Downsideup]

Mine was all apart already. Maybe these will help.

[AirJeff]

Here's a question for you guys: Are the rear metal support brackets for the seat base at the same height? (they are the brackets that the pins lock into at the back of the seat) Our boat has at least a .5" difference in height between the two. So, the seat sits crooked. Its not that noticable, but still anoying considering the quality boat this is supposed to be.

[Downsideup]

I think mine are a little off. I had a **** of a time getting one of the pins out. I've never visually noticed a difference, though.

[AirJeff]

Yeah, I'm a little worried about how I'm going to get one of my pins back in. I'm hoping I don't have to figure out how to take off the seat back.

xmalibuman: I remember your boat and love the colors! I can't decide which color combo I like better!

[xmalibuman]

Downsideup,
Thanks for the photos. I only see two pumps? do you have 1 tank or two? Mine has 4 pumps- two fills and two drain pumps- one pair for each tank. I can see they also upped the hose size to 1" on my system, don't know if it would matter or not being there are 3/4" thru hulls and 3/4" pumps.

AirJeff,
Mine seat brackets are off too, I just reinstalled the seat base tonight and noticed it. If you want to remove your seat back there are three nobs you unthread from behind and they are up high and one at each corner and one in the center.

Thanks Guys.

PS On another note-- I don't know if you followed Dr. Johns nightmare with his tower install but mine went really well and took about 2-1/2 hrs to complete. I was thinking of him the whole time though.

[Downsideup]

mine fills both tanks with the same pump. Doesn't matter much since it's only 400# total. I would use 2 pumps for the tanks and the other 2 for something else (side seats or SL 540# lounges would be nice). You have 1" I.D. hoses? Did they give you adaptors to attach to the 3/4" pumps? Anyway, I think it would really be a waste to use 2 separate pumps to pump/fill a 200# tank. Just tee the line and use 1 set for your tanks and put in the other set for some sacs.

[sperbet]

xmalibuman, do you have any photos of your tower install?? I am about to install mine and would love to see photos.

[AirJeff]

My boat has two pumps for the fill, one under each side of the engine. I think they are hooked up to the valves on the through hull fittings with a short section of hose. Then I have the two empty pumps under the back seat/trunk. I'm pretty sure I have different pumps than in the pictures.

One other question, how do you get to those knobs to take off the rear seat back? Is your gas tank out?

[Downsideup]

I guess they changed it in 2002. What pumps do you have? You can get the Atwood 750's like I have for $20 at walmart.

[xmalibuman]

Sperbet, I will get some pics posted wed. for you. What I did was assemble the tower, cover the area on the boat were the feet will sit with tape so you don't scratch your boat, with help raise the tower and set it on the boat, I started with the driver side rear foot because of it's shape it must go were obvious, from there move the other feet around untill satisfied with there position using a tape measure. before I drilled anything I made sure you could unthread the knobs and hinge the tower without binding at all- of course this took some help to hold everything in place. when you are ready to drill start with a smaller size bit- 1/8" or so then use a chamfer bit to put a bevel edge on the gellcoat before your final hole is drilled, this will keep you from chipping up the gelcoat and prevent spider cracks in gell later on.


AirJeff, It has been two months since I took my boat apart but I think they are accessed thru the locker after removing the carpet trim piece that hides the gas tank.

Alan

[AirJeff]

Downsideup: I'm not sure what we have for pumps, I'll have to check when we get the boat back.

xmalibuman: Thanks for the info!

[xmalibuman]

Mine came with Atwood 750's


Tower pics;