Quality of ballast bags / pumps

[Scottintexas]

since we are now surfing and waiting for the big Shelbyville unveiling I thought I would look at getting a few bags to make a wave the old fashioned way,

Is there a difference in quality between mfg's and what should I be looking for in a pump, just gph or something else?

the bags will probably be left in place but the pump will probably just be a manual and not hard wired or with permanent plumbing,

any advice would be appreciated,

 

[ar240owner]

I really like the fly high bags !! But I also have some Ariel bags , they both work , but the fly high are better built , and pumps , just go with gph

 

[jcyamaharider]

Ditto.....I have 3 fly high bags.... Very good quality. We actually sit on the 750 pound when it is full. I also have one sumo sac and 2 aerial bags. They all seem to do just fine.

 

[Wake08]

I second sx210owner... You could also look at the ronix 8.0 setup. Check out wake makers.com

 

[bobbie]

spencer at wakemakers actually comp'd me two bags....a 800 lb sumo sac and 450 sumo sac to play around with to get a good wake. he also sent me a the base sumo pump at no charge.....all of the equipment seems to be good quality.

 

[JCampbell]

I run a variety of Fat sacs(3,180# total). Use three Jabsco Ballast puppy's to feed them. I use two diverter valves to fill topside/rear deck bags. Made a 'Fat Sac Quick connect thru hull fitting" to fill bags on the swim deck and rear of cockpit. Use the second diverter in ski locker to fill extra forward bags. I would get the Johnson pump is starting today. It has a higher gph. Spencer at Wakemakers is a big help. I got the entire system thru him. Highly recommend the SS 90 degree thru hull fittings for below the water line if you are hard plumbing in the pumps

 

[dan144k]

I bought the free motion bags form ebay, like sumo bags, very nice have a built in check valve.
Bought 2) 1200gph pumps and cigarette cord plugs from amazon.
Bought the hose and fittings I needed form wakemakers. (use the jetboaters discount code)
No complaints. Price was good.

mix and matched to do what I needed

 

[Ronnie]

Wow JCampbell you must really love wake surfing. That sounds like a lot of equipment to deal with in order to get the wake right. I assume it doesn't put to much extra strain on the engines since a lot of people do it. Am I wrong?

 

[KXCam22]

I would second that SS90 through hull. I dont have it but there was not much room in there to make the 90. Cam.

 

[OrangeTJ]

I have Straight Line Sumo sacs and they seem to be very good quality. I definitely prefer their valve setup to that of my buddy's Fly Highs, in that they have a built in check valve to keep water from spilling out when you take off the cap or the pump. They also have a good "twist lock" for attaching the pump/hose so you don't really have to hold on to it to keep it from coming loose.

 

[jetboater4life]

I bought the two 750 gallon bags + the 1200gph Tsunami pump with the more rigid hose package from wakemakers and am very impressed with the quality of the bags, pump, and fittings.

 

[007]

I've been a little disappointed with the big bags leaking around the fittings.

 

[0627Devildog]

I've been a little disappointed with the big bags leaking around the fittings.

Which brands?

 

[jcyamaharider]

Which brands?

The brand " Big Bag, Straightline" which is who also makes Sumo Sac

 

[0627Devildog]

The brand " Big Bag, Straightline" which is who also makes Sumo Sac

Ah HA!. . . . . If you couldn't tell I don't have any ballast (besides my brother in law) yet. Doing my research.

 

[jcyamaharider]

 

[JCampbell]

Wow JCampbell you must really love wake surfing. That sounds like a lot of equipment to deal with in order to get the wake right. I assume it doesn't put to much extra strain on the engines since a lot of people do it. Am I wrong?

I run a higher RPM around 8K. It eats gas but is worth it