Automated Ballast System

[The Show]

Has anyone ordered a full ballast system from wakemakers.com? I'm looking to add a system to my 08 Maxum MX. I'm going to put a sac in the ski locker and possibly 2 sacs under the bow seats in the future. The kit runs about $500 and the bag is seperate. Seems pretty reasonable considering the value it adds to your boat.

Any replies would be great, thanks.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Automated Ballast System

Has anyone ordered a full ballast system from wakemakers.com? I'm looking to add a system to my 08 Maxum MX. I'm going to put a sac in the ski locker and possibly 2 sacs under the bow seats in the future. The kit runs about $500 and the bag is seperate. Seems pretty reasonable considering the value it adds to your boat.

Any replies would be great, thanks.

The value it ads to your boat? While it may be valuable to you, nobody in their right mind is going to buy a runabout that had a sack system installed in it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Automated Ballast System

Adds no value to a boat with an inboard/outboard drive unit. Possibly to a true wakeboard boat but not one with an i/O. Save your money and get a real wakeboard boat instead. Your boat was not designed for that.

 

[The Show]

Re: Automated Ballast System

I would argue the point that it adds "no value". Maybe not to you, however i've been a loan officer for 9 years and aftermarket ballast systems do add value regardless of the type of boat. It doesn't matter which type of boat you have, a ballast system is a ballast system. Also, why would you be out of your mind to buy an I/O with a ballast system. Do you know how many people sac I/O's?? Alo. Why wouldn't you want to hit a switch and fill the bags in under a minute vs hanging the pump over the side which is a pain.

I got the idea to sac mine from a loan I did on a Bayliner that had a system and the guy loved it. I was just trying to see get information on anyone who had installed one.

Also, i'm very happy with my boat. I opted to buy a lower end boat and purchased a cabin at the lake vs buying a true inboard. Sure it would be nice and I probably will someday. But to say it adds no value is strictly your opinions, which is fine.

Thank you for your replies though.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Automated Ballast System

The reason it ads no value is the same reason that nobody wants to buy a ski boat that has been used primarily for barefooting. Sacking the boat puts a tremendous extra strain on the powertrain - removing a lot of the usable lifespan.

Be aware that your sacks will likely exceed the mfg recommended passenger/cargo weight, so make sure not to sink it

 

[The Show]

Re: Automated Ballast System

That is a good point oldjeep, I didn't consider that. With my current sac/people I do stay under the limit though, i've had enough boat "safety checks" to know better!

 

[Rossterman]

Re: Automated Ballast System

Dont know enough to determine if it will add on the resale value for your boat but i added a full system to our mastercraft using wakemakers and they are great to deal with. Very knowlegable and good prices. They provide design assistance and good tech support if any questions or issues

I understand that some bluebook systems like NADA add additional value when you indicate the boat has a ballast system. In my experience, these guides are often well off the mark regarding the selling price or what certian options will provide.Demand for certian options and certain brands/models vary greatly. Also these guides dont have an allowance for engine hours which has a huge impact on sales price. We have a mastercraft (2001 205v) with low hours that had the tower, big stereo, etc. NADA showed low of $17k and high of $21k. Low hour models were regularly selling briskly this summer for $26k and even those with many hours (600+) were still selling for $21~$22k.

In the end, you should determine if the value of adding is worth it to you and discount whether you would recoup or not at resale. On our boat, people look at ballast as a highly desired option (as well as perfect pass speed control). I installed both for the convienence but likely wont get my full investment back at resale either but will likely result in a quicker sale than without.

 

[Lake Lizzard]

Re: Automated Ballast System

I would worry more about the value it adds to you. $500 isn't a huge investment, and if it makes the boat do what you want to do, then more power to you. Agree with the above though - and I/O boat is not designed for a bunch of water sacks - as a rule. The extra drive train wear from the extra weight depends on how much weight you add to the boat. Make sure you don't load your boat to capacity with people and then add the extra water ballast weight.