Adding Auto Ballast to 2000 Malibu Sunsetter VLX - advice?
 

I have a 2000 Malibu 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. Was hoping to reuse my current bags straight line sumo sac 750# (put one in each side of engine) so can fill 1/2 for wakeboarding or just 1 full for surfing. Then could also reuse my sumo/uber pumps and just add 2 tsunami's for drain. Figure that would save a couple hundred bucks in parts.

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

If you already have 2 750's then all you would need is a locker sack as far as bags go. You could then keep your vdrive sacs as extra ballast. The locker sac is probably ~120 or so. If you went with aerator style pumps you would need 6 at ~40/ea. That would put you at ~360. Then add in 3 switches, wire, relays(maybe), thru hulls, hose, fittings and misc product and you can't be much more than $500-$600 total in parts. If you used reversible jabsco's the price would go way up.

There are a lot of good threads that detail(with pictures) how to install a system.

Norm,
You are looking at $775 to integrate 3 Fly High sacs using Attwood Tsunami T800 pumps. You can integrate the Launch Pad Sumo sacs but they do not work as well so I would suggest selling them and getting on the Fly High band wagon. With that said it is possible to use those sacs but just not as easy.

The intake would be 1-1/4" with a manifold for the three fill pumps. It would also have three stainless steel 3/4" thru-hull outlets. The drain and vent would discharge from the same thru-hull using a wye and a check valve which will save you from drilling 3 additional holes. The switches are included but this does not include the wiring and relays you will need. You will need to also pick up a center locker sac. You can add a couple additional fittings to quick connect the larger sac for surfing. Good winter project.

Material List:
1 x 3M 4000 Marine Adhesive
1 x 1 1/4" Bronze Thru-Hull Intake
1 x 1 1/4" Bronze Street Elbow
1 x 1 1/4" Bronze Ball Valve
2 x 1 1/4" Intake Tee Fitting
2 x 1 1/4" Intake Nipple Fitting
3 x 1 1/4" Thread > 3/4" Thread Reducer
60 ft. x 3/4" Malibu OEM Ballast Hose Black

3 x Ballast Rocker Switch (Supra Moomba Malibu)
6 x Attwood Tsunami 800 GPH Ballast Pump
3 x 3/4" Flow-Rite > Attwood Tsunami 800 Pump Adapter
9 x Fly High 3/4" Flow-Rite Quick Release Connect W736
6 x Fly High 3/4" Elbow Flow-Rite Quick Release Connector W742
1 x 3/4" Vented Loop Anti-siphon Valve
5 x 3/4" Inline Check Valve Fitting
3 x 3/4" Thru Hull Fitting - Stainless Steel
3 x 3/4" Hose Barb Wye Fitting
32 x 3/4" Stainless Steel Hose Clamp

Thanks,
Spencer

Spencer, you really should price him out running the T1200s instead of the 800s. Filling 750s with 800gph pumps takes about a year.

Ballast System Parts List Using Rule 1100 Pumps
 

The Attwood T800 pumps should take 7 to 8 minutes to fill the 750 lb. sac. Not that bad especially if you are on a budget. You can go with the Tsunami T1200 but I am really stoked on the Rule 1100 ballast pumps right now. After going over test results they have a very similar output to the T1200's. They way easier to integrate since they have a 3/4" inlet and have a true 1" outlet (not 1-1/8"). I have reconfigured the list but by going to 1" the price has gone up. The price for the ballast setup is $1,007.74

Material List:
1 x 3M 4000 Marine Adhesive
1 x 1 1/4" Bronze Thru-Hull Intake
1 x 1 1/4" Bronze Street Elbow
1 x 1 1/4" Bronze Ball Valve
2 x 1 1/4" Intake Tee Fitting
2 x 1 1/4" Intake Nipple Fitting
3 x 1 1/4" Thread > 3/4" Thread Reducer
60 ft. x 1" OEM Ballast Hose Black

3 x Ballast Rocker Switch (Supra Moomba Malibu)
6 x Rule 1100 GPH Ballast Pump
3 x Fly High 3/4" Flow-Rite Quick Release Connect W736
3 x 3/4" Flow-Rite > Attwood Tsunami 800 Pump Adapter
6 x Fly High 1" Flow-Rite Quick Release Connect W743
6 x Fly High 1" Elbow Flow-Rite Quick Release Connector W746
1 x 1" Vented Loop Anti-siphon Valve
5 x 1" Inline Check Valve Fitting
3 x 1" Thru Hull Fitting - Stainless Steel
3 x 1" Hose Barb Tee Fitting
36 x 1" Stainless Steel Hose Clamp

So basically when I have a quote for $1000 with new fly high bags INSTALLED that is a pretty good deal.

Still quite a bit to spend when my ballast is now pretty automatic (my buddies do it).

Yeah that would be an awesome deal if they are going to install it. I would be at $1200 with three Fly High bags not installed. I like the sort of automation you have going now.

1k installed is a good deal for that set up. I would go make it happen before they change their minds.