Winterizing Ballast Tanks

[Willy]

well i have all four tanks on my vtx (first wake boat) and i am wondering what is the best way to winterize the ballast tanks and pumps?

[NvBoarder]

well i have all four tanks on my vtx (first wake boat) and i am wondering what is the best way to winterize the ballast tanks and pumps?

Not great, but this does work. I purchased a threaded fitting and some clear hose and a fitting for the standard 1 gallon jugs of RV antifreeze. glued them together threaded it on slightly from under the boat. (At the intake pump for each tank) Flipped the jug over and turned on the pump and sucked it into the ballast tanks. It's kinda messy and takes a little finess but it worked for me last year, pretty good. I have the contraption I made in the storage shed I am planning on winterizeing the tanks this weekend I will take a pic and post up here soon.

Just make sure you get the RV and Marine antifreeze it is safe for the envirorment and won't kill anything if you forget about it next spring and pump it into the lake!!!

[Bill_AirJunky]

So what fitting did you use that fit in that hole?

I found one that fit in the drain, but doesn't fit the ballast hole.

well i have all four tanks on my vtx (first wake boat) and i am wondering what is the best way to winterize the ballast tanks and pumps?

Not great, but this does work. I purchased a threaded fitting and some clear hose and a fitting for the standard 1 gallon jugs of RV antifreeze. glued them together threaded it on slightly from under the boat. (At the intake pump for each tank) Flipped the jug over and turned on the pump and sucked it into the ballast tanks. It's kinda messy and takes a little finess but it worked for me last year, pretty good. I have the contraption I made in the storage shed I am planning on winterizeing the tanks this weekend I will take a pic and post up here soon.

Just make sure you get the RV and Marine antifreeze it is safe for the envirorment and won't kill anything if you forget about it next spring and pump it into the lake!!!

[NvBoarder]

So what fitting did you use that fit in that hole?

I found one that fit in the drain, but doesn't fit the ballast hole.

It is actually a sprinkler system pvc threaded end. I think it is 3/4" Go to your local Home Depot or Lowes and go to the sprinkler system area and find the male end 3/4" fitting and it should thread onto the intake hole coming in from under the boat. It will only thread a little bit but should be enough to hold it in place long enough to suck the antifreeze in.