How much weight can the rear locker really hold on top of stock ballast?

[JP3739]

I have a 2005 Wakesetter 23LSV and the sticker in the rear locker says not to exceed 75 lbs and that it is not intended for ballast. I have spoken to several people with newer 23LSV's that are putting as much as 1100 lbs on top of stock 250 lb hard tanks with no problem so far.

Has anyone had problems doing this?

I just purchased 2 1100 lb fly high v-drive surf sacs but am hesitant to put them in the lockers due to the warning sticker.

What is the potential damage I could cause if I do use the sacs?

Any advice or success stories are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Ndawg12]

From what I've read, that's just a suggestion from Malibu to cover their butts You will probably need to reinforce the side panels though. And make sure you fill the factory tank under the floor first so it doesn't collapse.

Edited July 16, 2010 by Ndawg12

[Jimmypooh]

From what I've read, that's just a suggestion from Malibu to cover their butts You will probably need to reinforce the side panels though. And make sure you fill the factory tank under the floor first so it doesn't collapse.

This has been discussed and since they are vented, filling doesn't really change anything. That being said I put 750's in my VLX with the same sticker.

[JP3739]

From what I've read, that's just a suggestion from Malibu to cover their butts You will probably need to reinforce the side panels though. And make sure you fill the factory tank under the floor first so it doesn't collapse.

Thanks for the info. How do you suggest I reinforce the side panels?

[Stanley Wheelhouse]

I have a 2005 Wakesetter 23LSV and the sticker in the rear locker says not to exceed 75 lbs and that it is not intended for ballast. I have spoken to several people with newer 23LSV's that are putting as much as 1100 lbs on top of stock 250 lb hard tanks with no problem so far.

Has anyone had problems doing this?

I just purchased 2 1100 lb fly high v-drive surf sacs but am hesitant to put them in the lockers due to the warning sticker.

What is the potential damage I could cause if I do use the sacs?

Any advice or success stories are greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I have never seen a malibu mechanic that weighed 75 pounds.

[Bawshogg]

It's a joke I think. I laughed pretty hard when I first saw it, didn't you? 750's all day long for years, no issues.

[cyoda44]

Thanks for the info. How do you suggest I reinforce the side panels?

I used some square tubing from Lowe's for vertical support on the divider. That worked for a couple of time out on the lake.... then the bottom "U" bracket started to give way, so I added a tall "L" bracket under the "U" divider holding bracket. So far I have not had any more problems. I'm using the 1100 Lb sack... it does not fill up all the way but uses all the available space.

[Ndawg12]

Thanks for the info. How do you suggest I reinforce the side panels?

Check post #74 of this thread. Not sure if he had reconfigure the bottom "u" bracket as cyoda44 suggested.

[Lieutenant Dan]

I have never seen a malibu mechanic that weighed 75 pounds.

That's a great point. I also don't weigh 75 lbs and I have been standing in my trunk with no problems. I have seen some kind of hokey "reinforcements" for the floor that people have put together but I doubt that they do much other than give the owner a false sense of security.

[cyoda44]

Check post #74 of this thread. Not sure if he had reconfigure the bottom "u" bracket as cyoda44 suggested.

That's post is exactly what I copied mine from... except my divider seemed to be a little longer so I used 4 vertical supports.

My suggestion would to be.... do both supports at the same time. This will allow you to cut the correct size for the vertical pieces to match the horizontal "L" bracket. I used a 2 inch "L" bracket under the "U" bracket and had to re cut my vertical pieces for everything to work.

[JP3739]

It's a joke I think. I laughed pretty hard when I first saw it, didn't you? 750's all day long for years, no issues.

I was thinking that 75lbs was a bit conservative. My left Nut weighs almost that much :-)

Did you reinforce your side panels or just fill and ride?

[JP3739]

Check post #74 of this thread. Not sure if he had reconfigure the bottom "u" bracket as cyoda44 suggested.

Thanks for the link. Those pics are great.

[Ndawg12]

I was thinking that 75lbs was a bit conservative. My left Nut weighs almost that much :-)

Did you reinforce your side panels or just fill and ride?

I would put the boat mods on the back burner and go see the doc, you've got problems man