Kevin - I installed my auto ballast last summer for my 87 SunSport DD. I have four hidden sacs 1400lbs all driven by one single Simer pump. Why would you want to use two pumps, two runs of hose, two fittings, etc when you can use one?
Simer sump pumps are reversable AND self priming so you never have to worry about if there is water in the line or etc.
Since I have so many sacs I may add a second pump eventually but I have so many things to buy still.
Haven't even got my rocker switch installed yet. Thanks for the links above Jeff!
The Simer pump is awesome it is the cheaper version of Jabesco and that's saying a lot. These do NOT burn out easily I have air bubbles in mine because I don't have overflows with a one way check valve yet. They power through any air and I have let it run dry for minutes and the impellor is fine.
The reason you have overflows is because the sacs get full real quick and you can overfill them. It can strain the fittings, as well as the space you may have the sac in, especially the sac real full is a tight fit in the space, which mine can be. Makes the seats pop off the floor.
So if you have an overflow the extra will pour out the overflow and then you know when it is full. Then when you go to drain the sacs, the one way check valve keeps you from sucking air into the sac.
I did mine super budget and super simple and some people are not happy with that but I'm not rich and I can't pay for professional install, and this works fine! I have a valve on every sac so technically I'm only filling or draining one at a time. It takes about 5 mins a sac.
I tee'd the raw water intake that is where the pump fills and drains to. NO ISSUES at all with the method. If you're worried you can do it when the boat's off. Doesn't matter. Then I ran the hose through the bilge and up to the spotters seat where I put the pump. You can't put these kind in the bilge. From there I ran hose from the pump through the gunwhale and to the front and rear of the boat to fill two sacs each. Simple!!!
I have lots of pics but this post got way outta control. YES you should weight her down. With your boat only question is how much. Probably 600 in back and 300 in front is all you can take. I don't know though I've never weighted an older 'Bu before. Sounds fun, love the boat she looks AWESOME!!! Good luck. You can use either pump but I hope my rational makes sense. Hope you don't mind if I post a couple pics. I can take 'em down if you don't need 'em.