New member, 185 sport, some mods and pics

Very cool modifications to add the ballast system. Nicely done! Is it typical to run direct, w/o a strainer?
 
Thanks. I chose to use the mushroom thru-hull because the strainer type thru-hulls have a built in scoop that will force water in when the boat is moving. Also, new wakeboard boats use the mushroom vs strainer for their ballasts and it was easier to install too.
 
2,000 lbs ballast? How does it handle being 166% of rated max weight?

(MWC) Max Weight - Persons/Gear : 1,200 lbs / 544 kg

Maybe im wrong though? Great wake out of a boat that small. Boat looks great!

Brian
 
Yes, the strainer is not necessary.

The handling is a less responsive at slow speeds because there's more momentum. I need to be more careful when picking up a down rider or I may take water over the bow. I have plenty of power to get out of the hole and on plane. Once on plane, handling is the same.
 
Gotta to say that your boat looks great! I have the same thing and im a bit jealous...

Do you like the high five? After having my boat for only 1 season, i wanted to make sure that we were serious about wakeboarding before i did any mods. I already added the tower speakers with amp and second battery, but the prop switch is going to be my first move this spring.

Also noticed the rear view mirror. I am about to order one from H20 Watersports but dont know the correct size (boats in dry storage). I was told that its is an 1-7/8 tower but havent been able to confirm. Is that correct?

Thanks
Eddie
 
what is the purpose of using a ballast in our size boats (185's)?
 
edbaughman...

Yes... Your tower diameter is 1-7/8... I went through the same thing a couple of years ago with my 06 195 Sport....

Mirror and arm were a great investment!

Fossilfuelburner...

Really love with what you have done with your boat! I too run some weight in the boat, but not quite 2 G's! I also ride about 60" back... Seems like that might be the sweet spot for the smaller sport boats....
 
Edbaughman, both the dealer and Merge360 are right on the tower size. I measured mine with a capiler before I ordered my mirror from Wakeside.com

The stock prop on my boat was a 23P Black Max. I dropped down to a 21P High Five. The lower pitch produces more acceleration at the cost of top speed. I only lost a couple MPH but gained a ton of acceleration. The H5 also let me plane at a slower speed, ~15 vs 17-18MPH and has more traction in the turns. The boat feels more planted in the water on turns now (like new high performance tires for a car). I think I found it new, online for less than $500.

Merge360, I was checking out your boat bigtime on Wakesiderides, really nice.

Capt Jack, having ballast increases the size of the wake and makes a huge difference for wakeboarding. That's the only purpose.
 
Jeff, how difficult was the PerfectPass installation? Did the dealer do it for you? Does it hold your speed well??
 
Dude, your boat is sick!!!!. How does the perfect pass work, and do you only have the 370 hooked to auto fill?

I have a 08 sport with wake package and your boat is a great example to model it after. I run 350 in the ski locker and the wake is alright. Honestly how much bigger does the wake feel with all of your ballast fully loaded.


Thanks,

Jeff
 
I installed it myself and didn't find it too difficult. You can check out the instructions on the PP website to see if it's something you feel comfortable doing. It holds speed very well (doesn't deviates more than 0.2 mph from the set speed) and was the best $1000 I spent on the boat.

Jeff H, only the 370 in the ski locker is automatic right now but I will be plumbing in two RV water tanks (150lbs each) into the storage compartments on each side of the engine when I get back from vacation in early-april. I already purchased most of the parts I need, just need to install it. I got tired of filling the 750 sac and it took up too much space in the boat. I'll post pics of the install.

I can honestly say that the wake is 2x bigger with all the weight. It makes a HUGE difference. Throw some sacs into the boat to test it out yourself and you'll always be riding with the extra weight. Thats what happend to me.
 
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Hey bro,

what is the best setting for the KDW on your perfect pass.
I just installed the stargazer wakeboard pro and your right the best 1000 bucks you can spend, (my girlfriend gave me a perfect pull last weekend)

Thanks,

Jeff Holloway
 
Well I had to get the perfect pass after finding out it worked with our engine size. I got the stargazer wake and its the gps version. i was playing with some of the settings and was just wondering what your settings were, i also just got the launch pad 440 twins for the rear storage, so i will check those out this weekend,hopefully, the wake is bigger. hows the water tank project?
 
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