Thumbs up for Lead Wake - steel shot ballast bags

[DW SD]

As a OG 210 owner whose gotten bitten by the surfing bug, I worked to optimize my surf wave. This ended up taking more and more amounts of ballast to build a wave with solid push. Eventually, I had fully belly bag, fully rear lockers with piggyback bags on hard tanks, weight upfront and a 350 lb bag laying in the middle of the boat, which is frankly a hassle and cumbersome.

Then I read about lead wake ballast bags. They are 9 X more dense than water. I tried a few. Then bought some more. And finally bought some more (now 15 total).

The bags allow me to make my old boat more versatile while also tuning the boat's wave / wake due to their portability but also stack-ability. And regain space taken up by the 350 lb bag. (we named ours Brian after a friend).
The bags are water proof with an inner liner, and the external made of waterproof and heavy cordura nylon, so the steel shot shouldn't rust and bag won't tear.

Jared, the company owner is a great guy. He's a fireman by day and wake ballast guru by night. He delivered my latest two orders personally! Kick ***. (I was on his delivery route to San Diego) Jared said he works to ship every order within 24 hours and strives for great customer service.

Highly recommend the product, especially for those with a smaller boat or seeking a more permanent ballast solution.

Doug

[Nautiquehunter]

The only problem with lead or steel bags is they are not buoyant neutral if the boat sinks they will drag the boat down .

[DW SD]

The only problem with lead or steel bags is they are not buoyant neutral if the boat sinks they will drag the boat down .

Agree, but so is your drivetrain. :-)
Not being a smart ***.... You can always dump them over the side if you are in severe weather. They are only $50 / bag.

Doug

[Nautiquehunter]

The foam flotation in the boat will compensate for the drive train. Since you brought it up there is no way to get rid of the extra weight with lead . You can fill the ballast when needed and empty them when done.

[DW SD]

In my case I am out of room for more water ballast.
It does seem to me you can dump lead or steel shot over the side. And I am comfortable with additional risk especially given the conditions in which I use my boat. Our Southern California weather is very predictable.

Having seen photos of sunken boats I'm not sure the foam compensates entirely for the drivetrain.

All of this is is besides the point of my thread. Good product and good guy selling it with high customer service values.

[Nautiquehunter]

If you don't have room for the extra ballast maybe its too much for the boat. You may not have time to throw bags out after you take a wave over the bow. Its your boat and your risk you may want to talk to your insurance company and make sure they will cover after you put permanent ballast in.

[DW SD]

Sir, I appreciate your do-gooder intentions and have noted your concerns and evaluated my risks. I ask you to please stay on topic. I've had a positive experience with leadwake, their products and service. Please start another thread if you've like to discuss the risks of non-water-based ballast on board.

[charlesml3]

Sir, I appreciate your do-gooder intentions and have noted your concerns and evaluated my risks. I ask you to please stay on topic. I've had a positive experience with leadwake, their products and service. Please start another thread if you've like to discuss the risks of non-water-based ballast on board.

Agreed. All of the doomsday nonsense is off-topic here.

I also had a good experience with LeadWake. Shipping was quick and they delivered exactly what they promised.

-Charles

[jingram]

I also had a good experience with LeadWake. Quality product with no hassles in ordering/shipping.

[ScooterMcgavin]

Great product with great customer service at a fair price. I recommend these as well.