Wakemakers ballast bags for 212x

[suke]

Also point of note, those that like phender pro or those quick connect fender clips and want to do this you'll have to be careful of your placement. When filled with air these bags take up every bit of open space in the hull towards the back. There's a panel where it stops, you'll just have to place them further back. I plan on getting some myself. Also someone bumped a thread to the top that indicated another user was the catalyst of this many years back. However, the connext wouldn't allow the adjustment high enough. I know some of the newer boats that have the bigger screen showed they could adjust theirs by time and out to just about any time they wanted. My connext is the older version and does it by %. I'm fairly certain I'll have to abandon the connext and go with timers and switches. Orrrrrrr new pumps and thru hulls. UGH! Welp nature of being a guinea pig.

 

[UnfixedPyle]

Before you go down the route of new pumps and switches it might be worth checking to see if there is a software update for your connext system. My boat is a 2022 and software has already been updated to fix a different issue. The service department at your dealer should be able to look up the latest software for your system and you can compare to the version you have. It would make sense to me that they keep the options similar and my 2022 has the ability to adjust the time in the deeper menu with the main screen then allowing you to go 0-100% of that time.

 

[suke]

Before you go down the route of new pumps and switches it might be worth checking to see if there is a software update for your connext system. My boat is a 2022 and software has already been updated to fix a different issue. The service department at your dealer should be able to look up the latest software for your system and you can compare to the version you have. It would make sense to me that they keep the options similar and my 2022 has the ability to adjust the time in the deeper menu with the main screen then allowing you to go 0-100% of that time.

there's a calibration setting, which I have used on the connext, but even that I've noticed has a limit. I'm definitely going to see what that limit is before I go down the rabbit hole. There was someone here recently who had their connext updated and it borked their unit. Obviously that's a one off, but I don't suspect the basic functionality would change. Given yours is the bigger screen and the layout/look/feel is different I suspect that's a version that wouldn't be compatible to my 7" screen.

 

[suke]

Did some more work in the ballast setup. Also started to install the engine bay supports from walemakers. I need to try and convince my 7yo to head down in the storage lockers cause I can't seem to find a way to get my shoulders past the opening. My wife came out and said this sure is a lot of work. You need to sell that boat and go buy a real wake boat. Ugh! Wish she would have said that 3 years ago when we bought this. Anywho the market is crazy unstable and I work in big tech which is laying off in droves. Not the time to get wrapped up in a 100k+ boat. Not to mention I wanna finish this out of principle. My personal recommendation for those that do want to surf, buy a legit wake boat. I'm not sure this is worth it.

Got my 90* bend sorted so the hose goes neatly into the storage lockers.

Got the vent hose sorted

Built a battery switch protector out of the starboard that I took off the hard tanks.


I will say this is NO where near plug and play. I've invested a lot to get to this point. When I'm totally done I'll start another thread and include my parts list. I'm 100% certain I'll need external switches and timers. Looked at the wiring to the pumps and it sure is beefy. Could likely run significantly bigger pumps. Not sure if the ECU has a voltage draw monitor or anything that will turn it off. We shall see. If I get new pumps then I'll be in this over $1k, probably closer to $1500 with the original purchase of the "kit".

 

[suke]

Managed to get the engine bay supports installed, thanks to my little one. He can even sit up in there. ? He also put rubber caps over the screws for me. Dropped 2 bolts and can't find them anywhere in the engine bay. So tomorrow I'll head to ace and get some more. Managed to find one only to drop nearly right away. Lol!

 

[CasesCustoms]

@suke , Do you know if Wakemakers has a ballast that would supplement the hard tanks instead of needing to replace them (so you would have 5 ballast tanks when done, 2 new supplements, one each side in the rear)? Now that you have been in the compartments, would there even be enough room?

I am new to Yamaha jet boats and want to make sure that I can wake surf before I buy one. I really like your setup, thanks for the detailed thread!

 

[suke]

@suke , Do you know if Wakemakers has a ballast that would supplement the hard tanks instead of needing to replace them (so you would have 5 ballast tanks when done, 2 new supplements, one each side in the rear)? Now that you have been in the compartments, would there even be enough room?

I am new to Yamaha jet boats and want to make sure that I can wake surf before I buy one. I really like your setup, thanks for the detailed thread!

the best option for that would be the transom fatsac.

21 & 23 FT COMBO - CUSTOM YAMAHA TRANSOM BALLAST BAG & PUMP

COMBO - Custom 21 & 23 FT Yamaha Transom Ballast Bag & Supa Tsunami Pump NOW AVAILABLE IN BLACK - this is a special order color please allow for extra lead time for custom production which can add a couple weeks to the order. 725 LBS FATSAC ITEM# C1046 35"L x 26"W x 32.5"H 21 ft Yamaha boats...

wakewedge.surf

Aside from that there's probably not enough room in those lockers to put anymore bags that would help much without removing the hard tanks. Other option would be lead bags, which aren't actually lead now. I have about 200lbs of that as well to move around the boat.

I personally was not a fan of the transom fatsac, but others seem to love it. Really for me it was just the setup took a long time. By the time I was done I was hot AF, sweating like a sum bitch, and generally annoyed with how long it took. Now it very well may take a while for me to fill my bags with only 88lbs per min pumps in stock form. However, since I'm likely going to have to go with external switches swapping out the pumps to have them fill faster is only a matter of money. LOL! I'll likely be just fine letting the boat run while the bags fill up and either continue to swim around, or hang out and get something cold to drink while I wait. Or idle out to where we're going to be surfing anyways.

 

[suke]

Confirmed, max allowed on the 2029 212x is 129%. You need about 315% to fill these bags. Sigh......switches and timers it is. I'll call wakemakers today. Maybe they'll give me some form of a discount as this is about as far from plug and play as you can get. Hopefully the 2021+ do minute count it appears so you should be good. Need about 10mins.

 

[Cambo]

Let me know how they compare in price

My son was making these but now he is in college

https://jetboaters.net/threads/yamaha-switch-controller-kit-for-stock-ballast-pumps.30282/

 

[suke]

Let me know how they compare in price

My son was making these but now he is in college

https://jetboaters.net/threads/yamaha-switch-controller-kit-for-stock-ballast-pumps.30282/

I definitely will. That's definitely not bad if it includes all the wiring, plugs to plug into the stock pumps, and switches. I haven't attempted to fully price it out yet. I ran out of time and didn't get to reach out to wakemakers yet. Let me know if he still has some around, might be a better option than going through wakemakers. Only downside would be remembering to turn them off during fill/empty. Haha!

 

[Cambo]

That’s every thing including the piezo alarm to let you know the pumps are activated. I will check on availability

 

[InmyElement]

Let the games begin..

 

[suke]

Let the games begin..

View attachment 198182

Good luck! I've got an email exchange right now going with wakemakers about timers, swtiches, etc. I'm so ready to be done with this and get on to boating season. Wish the dang connext would let me adjust the time enough. Need someone that could hack these ECU/PCM's and edit it. LOL!

 

[suke]

Alrighty, so this is going to hurt but I'm going to document all that I've bought and what I spent to give folks an idea what it would take to tackle this project. Jury is still out on if this is worth it. If I end up with a near push button surf experience I'll be satisfied. With the economy and interest rates where they're at a surf boat has been pushed way way way out of my budget. So, I'm stuck with making this work.

Here we go:

Ballast "kit"
WakeMAKERS 2017-2022 Yamaha 212X Rear Factory Upgrade ~$800 now (fortunately I didn't pay that)
Stainless steel hose clamps 1- 1/8" (8 of them) ~$8

Stainless Steel Hose Clamp

These wide band stainless steel hose clamps are perfect for ballast systems because they provide excellent clamping force on the shorter barbs that are typically found on ballast parts and fittings. Made fully of stainless steel, they won't corrode over time, which means your connections will...

www.wakemakers.com

Extra hose 1" hose. I bought 20' but you probably could have gotten away with less. I added extra cause I'm dumb and tend to mess things up. ~$40

WakeMAKERS Ballast Hose - Black

ALL HOSE IS SOLD BY THE FOOT To make sure you get all the hose you need for your project, just enter the total length of hose you need, in feet, in the quantity field above and it add to your cart. The maximum continuous length of uncut hose is 100 feet. Orders for quantities more than that will...

www.wakemakers.com

2 Elbow fittings to make the 90* turn from the engine bay into the ballast bag/storage area ~$5

WakeMAKERS Hose Barb Elbow Fitting

This speciality fitting will allow you to make hose connections at a 90 degree angle with 3/4", 1" or 1-1/8" without any kinking. For various reasons it can be beneficial to join two hoses at a right angle. Most often used for routing around a sharp angle without kinking the hose, which opens up...

www.wakemakers.com

Engine divider supports cause on my boat they are bolted to the hard tanks and will collapse without any support ~$80

WakeMAKERS Engine Divider Panel Savers

One of the most popular WakeMAKERS products for several years now, our exclusive Engine Divider Panel Savers are a robust, easy to install solution to reinforce your engine divider panels. Add additional ballast to your rear lockers to achieve that great wake and don't worry about bowing of the...

www.wakemakers.com

2 3/4" quick connects for the vent hose ~$7
Flow Rite 3/4" Straight Quick Release Connector W740
Here's where it starts to hurt, but I wanted true push the button and it fills/drains and then stops on its own
2 timers ~$200

WakeMAKERS Ballast System Timer Module

The timer is essentially invisible in its operation which means you can use your ballast system exactly like you would otherwise and the Timer Module will automatically turn the pump off to reduce the likelihood of damage. To fill your ballast, put your switch in the Fill position. There will be...

www.wakemakers.com

Wiring for right/left and switches ~$280

WakeMAKERS Plug-and-Wake 12 Reversible Pump Wiring Harness

Ensure a 100% correct installation by utilizing the exclusive Smart and Safe waterproof snap together WakeMAKERS Plug-and-Wake connection. The days of incredibly technical and time-consuming wiring to change the polarity in order to reverse the direction of the pump motor are over. Convenience...

www.wakemakers.com

Total: ~$1420 if you were to do this today. Obviously that factors in no labor cost as you do it yourself.

A couple of things I didn't account for is some other 3/4" quick connectors that were sent in error from wakemakers which I used on the vent. They sent me the proper ones later at no cost. Also the 3/4" tubing which I got from lowes hardware for like $20 for 20' or something like that. So this isn't every single thing, but it's close. Also I had some 1" stainless steel clamps already that I used for the vent tubes. Now.....you don't necessarily need the vents hooked up, BUT I highly recommend it and honestly that's not the kick in the nuts some of the rest of this project is. You figure the transom fatsac and pump are about half of this cost. If you're one like me that really hated fiddling with that as surfing is still a small part of your day this may be the ticket for you. My ultimate recommendation if you can swing it is to buy a purpose built boat meant to have PNP bags and meant to be modded as such.

Now I'm hoping all of this will plug directly into the pumps stock. Worse case scenario I spend a few more $ to get new deutsche connectors and de-pin the stock pumps to fit the wiring. And/or de-pin the wiring AND the pump for new connectors. In any event that would be a cheap fix.

 

[suke]

Alrighty.... so I'm officially done with this project. I've yet been able to surf it, but today went out by myself and got the timers setup to fill/drain. I ended up unhooking the overflow as it was below the highest fill point and would just start pissing out of that with it only being about half full. With 200lbs of lead on the transom I think it looks really really close to the fatsac wave.

This is with both bags completely full and center locker bag full. It got a smidge better when I dumped some water out of the non surf side. It was super choppy today with 25mph winds.


Pics of the switches and timers.



Got the bags sucked completely flat, so should be minimal air upon the next fill. I'm aware without a vent there will be some air. Nature of the beast. Best I can do for now.

 

[suke]

Finally got a chance to surf the new ballast kit. I'm going to have to eat some crow here. I've been fairly critical throughout this process. However, this is hands down the best wave this boat has ever made. Push is fantastic, pocket is pretty decent, and it's quick to setup. I have my timers set to 8 mins and it fills them nice and full. I did full surf side, about 25% non surf side, center 100%, and 200lbs of lead on the transom. I'm not cussing and sweating when it's ready. Push the button, move the 4 bags to the transom, and put on the wake booster. Idle out to where we want to surf while it continues to fill.

This is about as close to push button surf as I think I can get. Unless I somehow install the tabs the 222s have. ?

 

[buckbuck]

That is way better than my wave. Congratulations. Makes me want to surf your boat.

 

[suke]

That is way better than my wave. Congratulations. Makes me want to surf your boat.

Come on down! I'll take you for a spin. Have to say this will scratch the itch for many years to come until my little one out grows this wave. Which likely won't be until he's a teenager. I know time will go fast, but the reality of that is that's at least 5 years away. You can see I have to get on the brakes quite a bit. There's a really good push from the wave. I bought another 150lbs of lead to put up front of the boat to try and extend the wave out. I'm 6'4" so that should give you and idea of the size of it. When I look back it looks about thigh high at its peak.


Also pulling the rubrail back to about the tower and sealing that up has made it to where my bilge never runs now. When I pull the drain plug at the end of the day barely any water comes out. I'm happy as a clam now. Also the hard starting issue with the ballasts full I've found just keep the motors running while switching people. The boat seems to like that anyways as it gets to cool itself at idle speeds before taking on another rider.

 

[Aqua Jetaway]

I’ve got to tip my hat to you for your persistence. I just said no and sent my bags back. I have a 2019 and didn’t want to go through the pain for a questionable outcome. Cutting my bags out was a big no go for me. Thanks for working it through and showing us that it can be done. I’m glad to see that the wake ended up looking good after so much work to get there.

 

[suke]

So after last season of tweaking the settings I finally found what works 100% of the time with this setup(fill up all the bags to 100% and lead on the rear swim platform of the surf side). I've only had the chance to surf twice this summer on this boat and both times the wave was as good as you're going to get on one of these boats. Lots of talk in here about me potentially buying a surf boat and I just don't think that's really in the cards. Unless I trip into a massive pile of money, with the economy, they have ballooned wayyyyyy out of reach. Honestly that's ok. Having 100k+ tied up into a boat just doesn't make sense for us. Boating is just ONE of the many things we do. Can't afford them all, so something has to give. Going through this process really made me hate my boat. Now that is all behind me and I can just use it I love my boat again. Only thing I want to do this off season is get the update for my ridesteady for launch control.