Jump to content

Welcome to TheMalibuCrew!

As a guest, you are welcome to poke around and view the majority of the content that we have to offer, but in order to post, search, contact members, and get full use out of the website you will need to Register for an Account. It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the TheMalibuCrew Family today!

Adding Auto Ballast to 2000 Sunsetter VLX - advice?


NormRD

Recommended Posts

I have a 2000 sunsetter VLX and have been looking at adding an auto ballast system. We typically wakeboard with just my v-drive sacs filled (350#) and surf with the surf sac filled (750#). Esp since we have different footed riders was looking for a system to mostly automate the two rears and maybe the ski locker.

I have had quotes from shops for $1500-1000 for the system. One gave me a parts breakdown from wakemakers and it was about $750 in just parts. New bags(mine are straight line and wanted to use fly high due to the connections), 4 pumps, switches, hoses, clamps, etc. First do you think this estimate is reasonable?

Second, anyway you think I could save some money on this? DIY seems a little tough as not really excited about drilling holes in the boat and the electrical.

Basically now the guys i ride with know the drill and filling doesn't seem that bad, but seems every few years i get tired of it and start kicking idea around to automate again...is there anything i'm missing or is it basically $1000 ish to get it done or save a couple hundred and DIY...so call it $700-800 or so.

Thanks,

Norm

Link to comment

I have a 2000 sunsetter VLX and have been looking at adding an auto ballast system. We typically wakeboard with just my v-drive sacs filled (350#) and surf with the surf sac filled (750#). Esp since we have different footed riders was looking for a system to mostly automate the two rears and maybe the ski locker.

I have had quotes from shops for $1500-1000 for the system. One gave me a parts breakdown from wakemakers and it was about $750 in just parts. New bags(mine are straight line and wanted to use fly high due to the connections), 4 pumps, switches, hoses, clamps, etc. First do you think this estimate is reasonable?

Second, anyway you think I could save some money on this? DIY seems a little tough as not really excited about drilling holes in the boat and the electrical.

Basically now the guys i ride with know the drill and filling doesn't seem that bad, but seems every few years i get tired of it and start kicking idea around to automate again...is there anything i'm missing or is it basically $1000 ish to get it done or save a couple hundred and DIY...so call it $700-800 or so.

Thanks,

Norm

I think a thousand bucks sounds cheap. After installing a semi auto ballast in my Skier, I would charge more than that to do it. All those parts add up fast and it takes a LONG time to do it right...

If you want ballast and dont want to install yourself I think 1000-1500 is what its gonna cost you.

Here is the Thread where I installed mine: My Ballast

Link to comment

Yeah, just tough to justify the money since now I already have 2 side sacs and 1 surf sac + 2 pumps...my crew knows how to operate it all so it really only takes 10 mins or so to get it all setup.

Just switching surfers from one side to the other is the biggest pain, but even for that we can fill from one into the other and isn't too bad.

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...