Ski Boat Forum

General Category => General American Skier Discussions => Topic started by: jono10 on July 15, 2013, 11:28:52 PM

Title: Ballast
Post by: jono10 on July 15, 2013, 11:28:52 PM
Hi everyone.  I have a 88 advance witch is mainly used for wakeboarding.  I am happy so far with the wake, only at slower speeds it tends to stick its nose in the air and the wife has trouble seeing over the dash.  Is there a way to rectify this or do I need to run some form of ballast in the front?  And if so how much can I use?  Kind regards Jono.
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: Daximus on July 16, 2013, 07:56:29 AM
Are you running any ballast now? If yes, where?

What speed are we having this issue at?

I haven't had too much of an issue with this at 20 mph plus speeds. Under 20 and mine noses up a little. Most people wakeboard between 20 and 25 mph (22.5 seems average), sometimes 18 if practicing surface tricks.

If you want to add a little ballast to the front that might help, but don't get crazy. Too much ballast in front and the propensity to wash the boat every time a duck roller comes your way increases. Most people add ballast at a 40% front, 60% rear ratio. Too much in the front and the handling get's bad and the wake gets lower, too much in the rear and the wake gets narrow and less defined...although it does get higher. This is pretty much universal advice for any ski boat turned wakeboard tow boat. I haven't had enough time with the American Skier to be specific.

Short answer, go faster or get a phone book for the wifey to sit on.  ;)
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: Thelegend on July 16, 2013, 09:53:46 AM
When I wakeboard I put 2 350lb. Sacks on both sides of the engine it seems to work best. Weighs the boat down as a whole to keep it nice and rampy.
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: jono10 on July 17, 2013, 04:00:55 AM
 :)Thank you any advice is greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: bmock50 on July 19, 2013, 10:30:41 PM
Could you post a picture of your 350lb bags and the wake it produces?
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: Thelegend on July 20, 2013, 10:07:17 AM
Yea I will next time I fill them. I rarely wakeboard though so I could be awhile.
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: 11.50fox on August 08, 2013, 08:47:28 AM
I run side sacks 550 each of the motor box touching the back if the captains chair and the side od the lookout chair. works perfect
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: jrpontiac on August 08, 2013, 04:33:13 PM
With the two 550's are you able to surf? 
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: bmock50 on August 10, 2013, 02:10:32 AM
I hope I'm wrong, but I kinda doubt it. I ride behind an older super air a lot and to have a decent sized sweet spot we need the stock tanks, all sacks, and 8-10 people.
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: 11.50fox on August 25, 2013, 11:16:16 AM
I never tried behind my boat to surf. I think if you were to take one and put it behind the driver chair and one where the back seat is and make both sacks touch you could. seen a guy with a ski supreme surfing and I think he was using something like what I use.
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: bmock50 on August 26, 2013, 08:44:44 PM
I'll see if I can't try something this weekend. I threw two 800s next to the motor but didn't fill them all the way and she threw a decent wake.
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: Daximus on August 26, 2013, 08:54:48 PM
I don't know how you couldn't get a decent wake out of that. I set the perfect pass at 12mph this weekend with about 600 lbs of dude in the back and the wake was huge.
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: bmock50 on August 28, 2013, 11:02:32 PM
12 and 22 are a little different though. And I'm used to boarding behind a slammed a22 haha
Title: Re: Ballast
Post by: Daximus on August 29, 2013, 06:12:07 AM
12 and 22 are a little different though. And I'm used to boarding behind a slammed a22 haha

Agreed, I thought we were talking about surfing/wakeskating. At 20 mph the wake was nice, but not insane or anything.