The boat in question is an '00 MasterCraft 230 VRS (Slight V hull)
I'm 80% confident that my motorcycle is sold and therefore I will soon have the money to proceed with a ballast system but I can't decide on doing a large thru hull (1.25") with a manifold made out of 2 1.25" threaded tees joined together or 3 individual 3/4" thru hulls with the valves and pumps vertically right on top. Space is not much of a concern as I have plenty of it under and to the port side of the engine. The only problem with the space is that I may have trouble reaching the lever(s) on the valve(s) with the port side sac filled.
I've pretty much settled on Atwood T800 pumps because the 2-3 minute faster fill time that I will gain with a T1200 isn't worth it to me with all of the 1 1/8"-->3/4" adapters that I'd need combined with the more expensive 1" hose and fittings. I will be perfectly happy with a 10-15 minute fill time since it would be nearly impossible for me to be wakeboarding within 15 minutes of the hull touching the water regardless of how fast the pumps are.
With that out of the way for 3 pumps it would cost about the same amount for me to go with 3 individual 3/4" thru hulls w/ bronze or SS valves vs a 1.25" and fittings to plump all of the pumps to it. There would be some savings if I decided to add a 4th pump down the road but not much.
Here are my concerns:
-With the manifold I can use an elbow and get the pumps really low and mounted sideways but I'm more likely to trap air or generate turbulence and reduce the flow of the downstream pump(s).
-With the individual thru hulls, a valve on top and a pump on top I may be getting a bit tall and close to the water line and possible priming issues. I'd cut down the thru hull and inlet on the pumps to the minimum height but do the T800s do ok mounted vertically?
-With the manifold I could probably mount the valve far enough forward that I could reach it from under the rear middle seat with the manifold pointing towards the stern. With the individuals I'd have a harder time closing them when the ballast is full.
I've seen some OEMs that screw the pump straight into a female thru hull with no valve. That would get them low and it would be simple/cheap but It makes me a little uncomfortable to think about a hose in the hull, below the water line, leaking or coming loose and having no way to stop it quickly.
These thru hulls and valves are pretty low profile and would likely be my choice for an individual 3/4" solution:
http://bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1219
http://bakesonline.com/detail.aspx?ID=1220
Here's what I'd use for the 1.25"+Manifold:
http://www.wakemakers.com/thru-hull-...er-bronze.html
http://www.wakemakers.com/bronze-str...bow-1-1-4.html
http://www.wakemakers.com/brass-ball...-1-4-inch.html
http://www.wakemakers.com/1-1-4-inch...e-fitting.html
http://www.wakemakers.com/1-1-4-inch...h-bushing.html
Does anybody have any input on which is the best way to go?