Ballast Problem / Launch Control

[JeffR]

Q4. Just got my used SAN 2000. I tried to get the Launch Control Ballasts to fill, no luck. I opened seacock 90 degrees (handle parallel to hose), turned both valves (counterclockwise) just behind helm, and pressed button to raise ballast water level. Pump noise occurred, but no sign of water movement. Then stopped this and pressed button to lower ballast water level. No discharge, but hear pump. Is this blocked intake?

[mcbridek]

RE: Ballast Problem / Launch Control

On my boat, if the input line is completely dry, the pump will not draw. I leave the seacock value open, run at speed for less than a minute with the pump on, then works fine. from that point on, it works fine when the boat is sitting still (line has water in it / pump is primed)

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Ballast Problem / Launch Control

I chopped the whole system out of my 99. Replaced with a custom system this year. In my opinion those systems were terrible. Mine never worked properly.

[Miljack]

You could have a couple of problems here. On my boat (99 Pro Air) with a similar system, the ball valve stuck in the open position, yours might be stuck closed. If you can't get any water into the tanks after running with it open for a couple of minutes, then it's probably stuck shut.

I also removed my stock system and built a custom one. On your V drive it would be worth it to pull the tanks and check out the plumbing and hoses. On my boat the hoses were failing, and the fill pump would only prime after running a minute at speed. Also the livewell vent system (two handles on the helm) won't control the fill on the tanks, they might help keep them from draining, but we would just leave everything on while boarding, and let the tanks vent all the time, that way at least we knew they were filled.

There's a ton of good info on the boards following these early systems. I think Jeff had a rather detailed review of some upgrades he did to his '03 SAN's ballast system.

Jack