2001 SAN Ballast Question

[raj005]

Hey guys, I am trying to figure out the fastest way to fill the factory ballast tanks on a 2001 Super Air Nautique. I've looked around at some other forums and read about opening the vents and the valve located in the engine compartment and driving around to force water in but I can't seem to locate these vent valves. Most people say, and in most pictures I've seen, that they are located underneath where the stereo is located. They are not there on my boat. Any suggestions? Using the pumps takes forever.

Also, I know most people will suggest to tear out the factory system and install bags but until I can do that I would like to know if there is a better way to use the factory system.

Thanks for the help!

[Chexi]

Okay, here goes. Assuming there were no major changes between 2000 and 2001:

1. There is a seacock located near the v-drive unit. This lets water in the boat or stops it from emptying. It should have an extension lever on it. You can probably access it from inside the motor hatch, but it is easier if you just pull the rear seat. It should be obvious when you do so. This must be open in order to fill/empty the factory system.

2. There should be 2 white knobs right behind the driver's seat along the combing pad. Each of these knobs is connected to the vent line of the port and starboard tanks, respectively. They need to be in the open position for both filling and emptying. Once you are full (or empty) as desired, you need to then close these valves. The reason it works this way is simply a matter of pressure. If they are closed, they will not let water in or out (in because there is nowhere for the air to escape... out because it would create a vaccum because there is nowhere to get air from to replace the water that has drained). If you open these, fill up, and leave them open, you will be draining when the boat is stopped (unless you close the seacock mentioned in 1). If you empty and leave them open and then drive accross the lake, they will start to fill. Note, the way to fill one side without the other is by use of these valves.

3. You also should have fill and empty switches on your dash. These work with a pair of inline aerator pumps installed in opposite directions. These are assist pumps. You do not need them, but they will make filling and emptying faster. You may need to check to be sure both pumps are working. Again, not needed, but these make the process faster.

4. Finally, check your thru-hull intake for debris. If this is partially blocked, it will greatly increase your fill and empty times.

[raj005]

Thanks Chexi. When filling, I've got the seacock open and the pumps switched on as you mention in numbers 1 and 3 respectively. I keep the seacock open only when filling and emptying, in between, it stays closed. However, the two white knobs behind the drivers seat that you mention in number 2 are not there. I double checked this again last week when I was on the boat. I also looked at some pictures of other 2001 SANs and saw where they should be. For some reason, they are no where to be found.

[Chexi]

Sounds like (a) someone removed that part of the system (not sure why anyone would do this) or (b) you have a Super Sport that someone converted to a Super Air. Are any of the dash parts or steering wheel wood grain? Do you have matching carpeted starboard on top of the tanks?

If these knobs are not there, then you have to open and close the seacock. If there were there, you would not have to. Before I ripped out the hard tank system in my Air (and then my Super Air), I never opened and closed that seacock. I always just used the two vent line knobs.

That said, you should be able to speed up your fill time by driving at 20+ mph. You must be at rest to empty due to the scupper. When you do finally upgrade to a bag system, remove that scupper, or just cut off the back end like I did to mine.

[raj005]

The dash does have some wood grain and there is matching carpet on top of the tanks. It doesn't look like there was any removal done where the knobs should be so I don't know what happened. I don't think its converted, it has the AIR logo on the side that looks identical to other 2001 models I have seen. I'll keep doing the driving with the seacock open fill method then. Thanks for the help!

[Chexi]

Be sure to check the strainer. Those tanks are small and should be filling and emptying pretty fast. If it is taking more then 3 minutes, you may have a blockage. I used to fill mine up solely by moving the boat (my fill pump was broken), and it did not take terribly long.