Wakemakers ballast bags for 212x

[suke]

Saw someone post this on FB last night. Figured some of you are pretty tapped into the development of all things Yamaha. Anyone know more info about this? Appears you'd have to rip out your hard tanks. To be sure there's no way to get the connext system to fill up 1700 lbs of rear ballast bags. Even in the engineering menu I've adjusted my center locker bag to the max and it still doesn't fill it all the way tight. This would push the total ballast weight over 2k lbs and could actually keep me in a yamaha boat. The wake booster is a non issue to install. The transom fatsac is what takes a really long time. I'd love to fill the ballasts while idling out to the surf spot. I might even consider a 222 if I could get a decent push button surf wave out of it. Granted next boat will have to be bigger and 100k for a jet boat just doesn't make sense to me........yet.

WakeMAKERS 2017-2022 Yamaha 212X Rear Factory Upgrade

WakeMAKERS exclusive Factory Ballast Upgrade Kits are built and designed to unleash the full potential of your Yamaha 212X's wake. It takes more than just the stock ballast to achieve the wake you've always wanted. You want an improved wake because it is proven to make for a more enjoyable...

www.wakemakers.com

WakeMAKERS 2007-2016 Yamaha 212X Rear Factory Upgrade

WakeMAKERS exclusive Factory Ballast Upgrade Kits are built and designed to unleash the full potential of your Yamaha 121X's wake. It takes more than just the stock ballast to achieve the wake you've always wanted. You want an improved wake because it is proven to make for a more enjoyable...

www.wakemakers.com

 

[1BadTundra]

I know for the 07-16 model, it would be an easy swap, old bags out, new bags in, then a quick reprogram of the pump. I have the directions somewhere, its a PITA but its a one and done setup.

 

[suke]

I know for the 07-16 model, it would be an easy swap, old bags out, new bags in, then a quick reprogram of the pump. I have the directions somewhere, its a PITA but its a one and done setup.

Yeah if I had my old boat it'd be stupid easy. Current boat with the hard tanks would be more difficult and the connext system has limitations as well.

 

[1BadTundra]

What's the capacity of the hard tanks?

 

[jetboater4life]

I have dimensions for wakemakers bags for my 2010 212x. I also put two wakemakers ballast pumps in, one for each side. Being able to independently control the ballast for regular or goofy surfers makes a huge difference.

 

[suke]

What's the capacity of the hard tanks?

It's pretty small. I think it's something like 250-300 lbs.

 

[1BadTundra]

It's pretty small. I think it's something like 250-300 lbs.

Can they unbolt and lift out, or would they need to be cut out in pieces?

 

[suke]

I have dimensions for wakemakers bags for my 2010 212x. I also put two wakemakers ballast pumps in, one for each side. Being able to independently control the ballast for regular or goofy surfers makes a huge difference.

yeah when I had my 09 212x I put in diverter valves where I could fill up one side or the other. The new boats have a pump per ballast and can fill up each one independently. I'd love to be able to use this and just edit the connext settings.

 

[suke]

Can they unbolt and lift out, or would they need to be cut out in pieces?

I can't really see the back side of them. It's very possible you can unscrew the divider and pull them out the storage opening. I've posted those kinds of questions to the wakemakers FAQ section in hopes they do an install vid. Would be awesome!

 

[jetboater4life]

My bags fill to 418 lbs each. If I have people on board in addition to the swim platform bag sometimes I can't even fill the under seat bag to capacity in order to get to 11mph

 

[suke]

My bags fill to 418 lbs each. If I have people on board in addition to the swim platform bag sometimes I can't even fill the under seat bag to capacity in order to get to 11mph

My hope is to replace the transom bag with these and not need it anymore. It works, but it's a pain to deal with. By the time I'm done getting it tied up and filled it's a 20 min ordeal. I'm sweating like a mofo and super annoyed with having spent that time doing that. Someone normally has to man the pump plug so it doesn't pull out of the socket, while I'm back there making sure the pump isn't banging against the side of the boat. Just looking to save some time and frustration. Not to mention I actually like my boat, but surfing is becoming an even more popular thing for us. Used to be just when I went to my buddies house we'd surf all day. So, I'd leave it tied up in the back and fill/drain it as needed. We don't swim/sit on the transom, and don't tube or anything needing the fatsac to be out of the way.

 

[Cambo]

Use the wake maker bags and my cable to work around the max fill and empty timing problems https://jetboaters.net/threads/ballast-pump-jumper-cable.19754/ then you can fill and empty with the stock pumps . Go one step further add some plumbing with shut off valves and add more bags in the front or fill your transom bag all run from the stock pumps no need for the Tsunami $150.00 unless you want to run two fill lines into the transom bag this fills it very fast.

 

[spatty99]

Keep in mind the maximum weight capacity for the 212X is about 2100 lbs. That doesn't leave much for people.

 

[suke]

Keep in mind the maximum weight capacity for the 212X is about 2100 lbs. That doesn't leave much for people.

that's kind of the least of my worries. With the transom fatsac and stock ballast I've been over the limit several times inclusive of people. I just want an easy surf experience. Shoot so many people with a tow boat go over their weight limit. Some of these guys with their extra ballasts are pushing 5-7k lbs of lead and water ballast. Definitely doesn't leave much weight for people. Especially for boats that have a 2000lb capacity and 3k lbs of stock ballast. You're already over that limit with your extra plug and plays, and say 5-7 decent sized dudes.

 

[spatty99]

The wake boats are built and rated for that higher ballast. The Yamaha boats are not...

For example, my 21 foot vdrive weighs 4100 lbs, and is rated for an additional 2100 lbs of ballast AND 2000 lbs of people - emphasis on AND. So I'm pushing 8200 lbs exactly as designed and rated.

The 212X weighs about 4000 lbs and is rated for an additional 2100 lbs TOTAL (any combination of people and ballast) - emphasis on total. So the maximum rating on a 212X is 6100 lbs.

 

[PBear]

The wake boats are built and rated for that higher ballast. The Yamaha boats are not...

For example, my 21 foot vdrive weighs 4100 lbs, and is rated for an additional 2100 lbs of ballast AND 2000 lbs of people - emphasis on AND. So I'm pushing 8200 lbs exactly as designed and rated.

The 212X weighs about 4000 lbs and is rated for an additional 2100 lbs TOTAL (any combination of people and ballast) - emphasis on total. So the maximum rating on a 212X is 6100 lbs.

Yep! That’s why we ended up selling our 2020 212x and bought a 2022 Moomba Kaiyen. Boat weight is 4500 lbs dry, has 3700 lbs water ballast plus 2100 lbs people. It‘s primary role is surfing and acting as a lake couch. My kids need both sides to surf (one’s regular and one’s goofy). Just a flick of the switches to load the bags (8 mins), and a switch to surf either side (or a finger press on the screen). No moving bags, securing a giant fatsac on the rear, swapping the wake booste, etc. Soooo much easier. As is the ability to tune the wave with the plates in the back.

We loved the 212x and it was a great boat for us while living in Raleigh. It was fine for surfing when the kids would visit (mid 20’s in age) from Boston as they were just learning how to surf. But we moved to a lake in NH in late 2020 and our situation totally changed. Like most things, it comes down to money and how much you‘re willing or able to pay for convenience. Biggest thing my wife misses is the rear ladder!

That said, adding two 880 lb bags to the back of the 212x is pretty cool. It’d be like having two of the 725 lb fat sacs. It’s ultimately up to you on total weight of the ballast and passengers and meeting the boats weight rating. @Cambo’s cable would be a must I’d think to fill.

 

[suke]

Yep! That’s why we ended up selling our 2020 212x and bought a 2022 Moomba Kaiyen. Boat weight is 4500 lbs dry, has 3700 lbs water ballast plus 2100 lbs people. It‘s primary role is surfing and acting as a lake couch. My kids need both sides to surf (one’s regular and one’s goofy). Just a flick of the switches to load the bags (8 mins), and a switch to surf either side (or a finger press on the screen). No moving bags, securing a giant fatsac on the rear, swapping the wake booste, etc. Soooo much easier. As is the ability to tune the wave with the plates in the back.

We loved the 212x and it was a great boat for us while living in Raleigh. It was fine for surfing when the kids would visit (mid 20’s in age) from Boston as they were just learning how to surf. But we moved to a lake in NH in late 2020 and our situation totally changed. Like most things, it comes down to money and how much you‘re willing or able to pay for convenience. Biggest thing my wife misses is the rear ladder!

That said, adding two 880 lb bags to the back of the 212x is pretty cool. It’d be like having two of the 725 lb fat sacs. It’s ultimately up to you on total weight of the ballast and passengers and meeting the boats weight rating. @Cambo’s cable would be a must I’d think to fill.

How you liking the Kaiyen? I'm hoping to squeeze out another year or 2 out of my boat. Need to replace my truck next year, and the wife has informed me she wants a new vehicle after that. So the following year will be a new vehicle for her.....sooooo realistically I'm probably 2 years out before a surf boat even comes into the discussion.

 

[suke]

Reached out to wakemakers support to see if I could get more information and they don't really have much and obviously not familiar with our boats. Guy I've been emailing with thinks I should be able to adjust the timers to fill those bags. Unfortunately, I think he's used to proper surf boats where the timers are used to running for much longer. I've maxed out what the system will allow in the calibration section for my center bag and it's still not as full as it could/should be. That bag is what.....700lbs? Those bags have another 180lbs. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and be the guinea pig. LOL!

 

[InmyElement]

Thanks for the info..if I could get rid of the transom bag I'd do it, but I don't think it would be enough added. Just installed a second ballast pump and valves to fill the center locker and transom bags eliminating the tsunami pump. I agree holding that F'in plug in for the pump sucked..
Can you post the FB link..Thanks.

 

[Cambo]

I agree holding that F'in plug in for the pump sucked.

Add a little salt water to the mix with that plug and it really sucks with some oxidation you need to clean the contact to get the power flowing. Cigeraette lighter plugs should have gone out with smoking.