Maristar 230 Ballast System Plan

[j3r3m7]

Hi guys, I've decided that this winter we'll install a semi-automatic ballast system in my 2000 model Maristar 230. I currently use a selection of fatsacs but want to connect them up with pumps, pipes and inlets so that I can just press a button on the dashboard to fill and unfill the ballast.

Any suggestions on the best way to attack this, e.g. sample plans of previously successfull ballast upgrades.

[Tower_boy]

It's a pretty big project but soo worthwhile.

I'd budget around the 600-700 mark for all the bits... the parts list is pretty huge but it's all standard stuff.

[dh_bennison]

Go to Team MasterCraft and ask the question. There may even already be a thread on it. (Sorry to recommend another forum!!)

Wakeside have started selling the waterpuppy pumps which I believe are the same as MC use.

I have an X10 with KGB which is basiclly the tricked out Maristar 210 alot of the fittings / mounting positions will be in the same on the 230. If you want any photos etc let me know.

[j3r3m7]

Getting excited now... cheers for the link, will have a mooch around on there for ideas. I've had some great initial info from Mark at Midwest MasterCraft who has been giving me some good advice bourne from doing this before on Maristars. He was saying that the current X30s have hard tanks under the floors which aren't doable and that he recommend fatsacs with independent fills/drains/vents for max flexibility and ease of use.

Here's what I'm thinking:

2 x Fatsac in rear either side of the engine.
1 x Fatsac in central forward ski locker under the floor.

Each fatsac to have separate fill, vent, empty connections and pumps to allow filling/emptying of each independently. So if I'm running the engine I should be able to fill in 5mins. Being able to sit in the driving seat is a benefit as we drift on the river so being able to keep an eye on the bank whilst filling would be good.

Now the questions I have are:

1) How do you setup the filling pipes? I guess you need 3 through-the-hull
connections to take water in.

2) Do you need a pump on the fill and empty or can you use dual way pumps?

3) Any ideas on who would supply the fittings from the pipes to the bags.. tried Screwfix but couldn't get the right connector.

This is a project for next April so no rush but thought it would be good to starting thinking about it now so I can save up the pennies for all the bits.

Also, got the the Tower Fairy arriving on Sat to fit the heater... hmmm, hot feet after riding.

[dh_bennison]

I would think you will need sacs under the bow seat aswell. DBJTS has a 230 with 350lbs on each side of engine, 600lbs in the ski locker and 300lbs up front. The nose rides real high without the front sacs!

Fly high sacs (Barefoot Int. & Fly High) make sacs with connectors etc and they are designed to be intergrated into a system. It is top notch gear but no one to my knowledge does it in the UK so you have to import it.

I have the Fly high intergrated Bow Sac up front under the seat on the X10.

The Jabsco water puppy pumps are reversable. I have 3 fitted to the one for the rear port side, one for the rear Starboard side and one for the sac in the ski locker. At the moment the bow sac is not on the automatic system and I use a Tsunami pump but I may plumb it as an extentsion to the centre ski locker and us that pump.

With regard to hole in the hull I have several and to be honest Im not sure which are vent and which are overflows. I going out this weekend and will try to figure it out and let you know.

[Tower_boy]

You can use 1 hole in the hull with a 'thru-hull pickup' and then just T off for 3 lines.

This is where a bit of maths comes in - you have to make sure that the pick up can deliver enough water flow to the bags for max efficiency... Need to get a BIG one! hehe

You can install more but then it's more holes to be drilled.....

MC UK are the Fly High dealers but they don't publish it too much.