Fill Ski Locker As Ballast?

[tracerrx]

Has anyone tried filling their ski locker with water (without a fatsac) in order to add weight to the boat?

I have a 2013 212SS, and the swim locker has a drain plug that I can close, fill with water using a bilge pump, close the locker and instant ballast?! Im assuming the reverse or remove the plug to drain the water out.

Just wondering if anyone has tried this, and if the water "Sloshes" around too much without the fatsac.

Thanks

 

[maboat]

What's a Swim locker? I'm guessing you mean Ski locker...

I think "sloshing", as you mentioned, could be a problem. I don't know about your model, but on mine the ski locker there is a gap between the top of the tub and the floor decking. Water would slosh over and into the bilge. But it still might work. Kinda sorta. Interested to see if anybody has tried it.

 

[tracerrx]

heh heh... typo, changed to ski locker...

I don't think there is a gap on mine, I will have to check it out while im at the lake this weekend. If there is a gap I would definately not want to do this.

 

[jcyamaharider]

What's a Swim locker? I'm guessing you mean Ski locker...

I think "sloshing", as you mentioned, could be a problem. I don't know about your model, but on mine the ski locker there is a gap between the top of the tub and the floor decking. Water would slosh over and into the bilge. But it still might work. Kinda sorta. Interested to see if anybody has tried it.

I guess after he fills it up it would be a swim locker.....

 

[Master-Spud]

Was thinking of maybe doing the same thing in my 212x, if you do try it out let me know how it goes... Might just get a fat sac and throw it in there, anyone know what size will fit?

 

[jcyamaharider]

I know @jetboater4life has done this......

No experience myself as I have a 800 pound bag in there.

 

[tracerrx]

I guess after he fills it up it would be a swim locker.....

My daughter would love to have a pool on the boat .... sort of like a cruise ship!

 

[tracerrx]

Was thinking of maybe doing the same thing in my 212x, if you do try it out let me know how it goes... Might just get a fat sac and throw it in there, anyone know what size will fit?

I would be interested in knowing what size fits as well.

 

[jetboater4life]

I do this every time I fill up. I have two ski lockers in my boat. I always fill the front one about 3/4 full. The water sloshes around in there and some makes its way to the bilge which is no big deal. My bilge kicks on now and then while we are out. Probably more from water washing onto the swimdeck or sneaking in through the rub rail than anything else. Definitely no need to put a redundant bag in there.

 

[ar240owner]

I have done this before also , I just used a bucket to fill !!! Yep I'm low budget !!!! Lol

 

[jetboater4life]

I have done this before also , I just used a bucket to fill !!! Yep I'm low budget !!!! Lol

A bucket would work but this pump works awesome. I obtained it when I bought a combo package that included two 750lb fly high bags plus the pump from wakemakers.com

 

[jdiaz78]

I do it and haven't had any problems!

 

[seabass2020]

hey i was wondering that same thing today. The ski locker is watertight, so how horrible of an idea would it be to fill it with water.

 

[John Mcpartland]

I can fit a 1080lb fatsac in mine (ar240)

 

[tracerrx]

Dont fill it with water!

I mean, it works, yes... But it "Sloshes" and makes the boat very difficult to control... Dump a bag in it!

 

[Gym]

I would think you'd want the ballast as far aft as possible for water sports unless you just need ballast to get under a low bridge.

 

[Eric Ballard]

You definately cant do this on a 19 footer. The ski locker is open to the forward bow compartments a little at the very front. I fpud tbis when running wires for my trolling motor. You would flood the whole boat for sure.

Thos pic is my ski locker.