Re: Ballast Wear and Tear on Boat
I disagree with the same wear and tear as having more people on board. The fat sacks are making the boat plow and not plane properly which creates a ton of drag and makes the motor work a lot harder. In a ski boat I'd be more worried about what it is doing to the transmission.
.... and adding more people does what, just take up more seating space inside your boat with no other consequences? That comment right up there with the comment I received from a girl at the gas station this weekend... ([Her]Why are you putting the fuel nozzle in your boat?.. [me]To add fuel to it... [her] :Turns to her friends:, "Boats use gas?" )
Extra people have the same effect as using ballast bags, they weigh down the boat causing more water displacement and ultimately a bigger wake. Ballast bags are more ideal because they can be hidden in storage compartments and more room to move around the boat. They can be added to the bow ski lockers or stern storage compartment. Hell even manufacturers are factory installing up to 1,000 of ballast capabilities. The 4-5 extra people required to hit 800-900 lbs of ballast takes up too much room, cluttered boats are no fun. The boat only "plows water" while getting up on plane, most boarders ride 20-22mph which is above the planing threshold. Lesser HP boats will struggle more than us with V6's or V8's. If you wanted to wake surf behind a direct drive, that if anything is causing the most stress because you are plowing water and using A LOT of ballast.
Stick within your manufacturer's suggested weight rating and you'll be just fine, going over that then you start to run the risk of back flooding your engine from the static water level creeping back over your exhaust risers.
