Nautique ballast
 

Wondering if anyone knows what the box is under the bow on the drivers side that takes up 1/3 of the space under the playpen open bow in the 1995 sport nautique? I am looking at adding ballast to it. What ballast bag fits well in the ski locker (it measures 19wx68lx10h)? What ballast bag fits well in the front bow? What works good for weighting the back of the boat?

Thanks

I have that boat! I changed out the steering cable a couple of years ago and had to pull out the board in front of the driver (it has 4 screws in it). I'm not 100% positive I remember correctly, but I think it's mostly open. There are wires, horn, and the steering cable that run through that area close to the cockpit; although, the area is not flat like the rest of the flooring up front - you can see the inside of the hull. If you're seriously interested in ripping down the wall, the best option would be to build a floor in that area...

I've found the way I like to weight it is use Fly High and put the wrap-around fat seat (about 1500 lbs) with a 750 lb bag on top of that. Then I put about 750 lbs in the bow. The boat really likes back weight. If I'm short on time, or lazy I only fill the 1500 lb fat seat, but the extra 750 in front in back make a huge difference. You can also add weight in the ski locker. I have the upgraded prop, and will ride between 70-80 feet, 65-70 feet with the less weight.

You ride with 2250 in the rear and 750 in the front? Any pics of the wake?

I don't think I have very many good pics of the wake with that setup. If I didn't live in MN, I would make sure to take pics of my setup soon. But trust me I've tried a lot of different set-ups, rope lengths, and I know that it works the best (although I continue to try new setups with different weights).

I actually have a 1000 pound bow bag that I use up front, but when I fill it full, the wake gets a big trough and needs more back weight. I was surprised by it too. But if you figure that the SAN 210 is a v-drive, with the same hull, and about a 700 pound engine in the back plus the extra fiberglass weight in the back, and the back weight starts to make more sense.

I figure it's kind of like an equation. If I want to fill my bag in front to 1000 lbs, I'll figure the back weight should be 1500 lbs. plus the weight of the engine and fiberglass that should be there (1000 lbs.). So 2,500 lbs. should be in the back, although I would probably add more than that.

This was 3 years ago, but if I remember correctly, this was about 800 lbs in front and 2100 lbs in back, with some weight in the ski locker. Wake was pretty good shaped.

This is the double up

Eric
What kinda of prop are you using with all that weight?

I disagree. We have several 210s in our rotation. We have over time moved to more front weight. I would go with either a custom sac or the fly high center locker - 580 lbs sac in the locker. 1000 lbs sac in the bow. Not really a good size sac for the back locker....400 is too small, and 750 too big for the locker space in the 95. 2 400s with 200 lbs of lead works well. More bow weight makes the wake firmer and more consistent. Great wake no matter what. Have fun.

Just read closer and I see you are adding engine weight. I think that is typically assumed and you only add extra ballast in the calcs when discussing ballast. Nice double up!

I think the OP has a DD "Sport" Nautique which does like more rear weight. His wake pics are similar to my old boat. The V drive SS/San hull is a much steeper wake and usually has a trough that is noticeable on that hull.

Professor, The 95 sport nautique doesn't have the back locker. The center locker is 19w x 68L x 10h so the 580lb center locker sac won't fit. Where you putting that much in the front in a DD or V-drive?

I'd have to look on the prop, but it's an ACME prop. I'd assume it's part #1792 by looking at their list of products. The 1995 sport nautique is a d-drive, super sport is v-drive. The sport does not have a back locker compartment. The bow bag fits in the the bow and has a capacity of I think 1100 lbs; although, I have a hard time believing they like the nose weight like Professor says. My friend has a 2003 SAN 210 that he used to fill the bow full, and the wake becomes a wall, with a huge trough. You can't edge in very fast on it, because of the dip before the wake. He too found that a little less weight up front is a good thing, then you can ride farther back if you want and at different speeds.

The prop is actually part #480... not too sure what difference the pitch, cup, and diameter make. But I think that typically larger diameter and less pitch seem to be better for weight/power.

Yes, my bad, didn't realize you we're referring to the DD. Call wakemakers for the ski locker sac. I think they recommend the center locker sac for the V drive. Not sure if your ski locker is smaller or not, but WM should be able to dial you in. Never noticed the trough issue personally.

Thank you for the advice guys. Does it work good to use the 60:40 rule in this hull with the direct drive?

Eric goes 75:25. Me personally, especially if I was running less than his 3000lbs, would start around the 60:40 routine, once you add passengers you'll be around 70:30...

check out wakemakers.com they have ski locker ballast bags.

http://www.wakemakers.com/?gclid=CP3...FQSf4AodNlkA-A