2005 SANTE 210 Center Ballast Question

[brucem]

Can anyone with a 2002-2008 era SAN 210 take a pic of the center ballast tank mounting? I've lost some of my pictures from my 2005 teardown and am a little perplexed how the center ballast is secured at the back side. There is a metal bracket that mounts to the side of the bilge with two lag screws (image below), but the tank would need to be raise about a 1/2" off the floor for that to work (otherwise it'd bounce around). There are two bolt holes on each side of the front face of the ballast tank, but I cannot seem to locate a matching bracket that might work.

Is your belly tank resting on the bilge floor? Any close up picture of the side mount would be greatly appreciated.

Bruce

[core-rider]

There is a few strips of foam tape that sit under the tank for cushion that would raise it up about that much. I'm guessing you pulled them out along with the tank. they are maybe 4" wide and I assume run the length of the tank. I'm guessing they would also be under the fuel tank as well.

[brucem]

Thanks for the response. Yes, both the belly ballast tank and the gas tank had EVA strips running the length on both sides of the bottom. I've replace the worn pieces with similar 1/4" EVA. I think I must have misplaced the brackets that attaches on the face of the ballast to the bracket shown in the picture. If you happen to have a picture of your belly tank I'd be curious how high it is off the bilge floor, and a closeup of the side bracket. I'll snap of picture of the mounting points on the tank when I get home for reference.

[core-rider]

Looks like you have the correct brackets as it looks just like my 2003. I've never messed with them and I'm the only owner so looks like Nautique never bolted the tank to the brackets from the factory. Neither side of mine comes close to lining up with the bracket.




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[brucem]

Thanks for the pictures Jason! I see your bracket is not directly attached to the tank. I thought the top corners of the belly tank would have been secured and the outline on my ballast tank looked liked it. Maybe it is just the impression from the EVA foam. Attached is a picture without the bracket to see why I was confused.

Thanks again!

Bruce

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[Keef210]

I also have an 05 210 and was wondering if there’s room to upgrade the belly ballast or if bow sacs are the only option

[brucem]

In my opinion, there is really no extra room in the '05 210s for a larger belly tank, and I believe the hard tank is a better option than a bag for the belly. The hard tank allows water to flow down the center of the bilge since it is lifted about 1/4" off the bilge floor, and the area is kind of a pain to access. You could have a custom fit tank made to gain a few more lbs, but you'd have to remove the through hole fittings as well as the gas tank to get it in (not to mention the cost for a custom tank). The factory pump configuration isn't ideal as water flows past the pumps, filling as well as emptying, when not desired. I've long given up on the valves because the cables would routinely freeze. I haven't bothered to swap the pumps for a reversible Johnson type vane pump yet.

For surfing my configuration is two 750lbs bags in the locker (I've removed the hard tanks in the back), the belly tank, and a 425lb bow bag (I've cut out the front cooler). In this configuration if you are not careful you will swamp the front of the boat when retrieving fallen riders. It rides extremely low when at idle.

I've been running a balance ballast for the past few years with a wake shaper, but I'm still not convinced the surf wake on my 210 is better than when we used to tip the boat to one side with a bunch of weight. It's definitely easier to drive though, and no bags in the seating area. I did like the wake more back then.

[Keef210]

In my opinion, there is really no extra room in the '05 210s for a larger belly tank, and I believe the hard tank is a better option than a bag for the belly. The hard tank allows water to flow down the center of the bilge since it is lifted about 1/4" off the bilge floor, and the area is kind of a pain to access. You could have a custom fit tank made to gain a few more lbs, but you'd have to remove the through hole fittings as well as the gas tank to get it in (not to mention the cost for a custom tank). The factory pump configuration isn't ideal as water flows past the pumps, filling as well as emptying, when not desired. I've long given up on the valves because the cables would routinely freeze. I haven't bothered to swap the pumps for a reversible Johnson type vane pump yet.

For surfing my configuration is two 750lbs bags in the locker (I've removed the hard tanks in the back), the belly tank, and a 425lb bow bag (I've cut out the front cooler). In this configuration if you are not careful you will swamp the front of the boat when retrieving fallen riders. It rides extremely low when at idle.

I've been running a balance ballast for the past few years with a wake shaper, but I'm still not convinced the surf wake on my 210 is better than when we used to tip the boat to one side with a bunch of weight. It's definitely easier to drive though, and no bags in the seating area. I did like the wake more back then.

Awesome thank you! That’s the route I’m looking at doing this winter