What is the Difference Between Ballast Weight Bags and Fat Sacs

With the growing craze of wakesurfing, boats that support this sport are increasing in sales every year. Most wakesurfing and wakeboarding boats have built in ballast systems that allows the driver to configure the weight distribution to build the best wake for their surfers and boarders. Wakesurfers go at a much slower speed than skiers and even wakeboarders. To get that wake to shape up high, the ballast system is used to weigh down the back of the boat on one side or sometimes evenly. 

How to Weigh Down a Boat for Wakesurfing

As a boat moves through the water and water is pushed behind the boat, a wake is formed. But just having a wake or even a big wake isn't enough for surfers. The shape of the wake is just as important as the size (trust us). Building that perfect surf wake takes more than just additional weight in your boat. Many people will just throw some ballast bags into their boat and call it good. It is a common belief that all you need is a bigger wake in order to wakesurf. Size isn't everything.

So instead of just adding weight to the back of the boat, consider adding a little to the front as well. Many people agree on a 60/40 rule where 60% of the weight is in the back and 40% is up front. 

Also, remember to add more weight to one side in the back of the boat than the other. Add more weight to the side of the boat that people will be surfing from. This will shape the wake. And because every boat is different, it's important to practice and try different placement until that wake is perfect. A perfect wake on a sunny summer day just can't be beat! You'll be happy with a wake that you perfected. 

Ballast Weight Bags or Fat Sacs?

Most boats now come with a factory ballast system that will allow you to pump and fill with water to use as weight. Many people also like to add extra weight by using Fat Sacs to really tilt the boat. Fat Sacs are rubber based "pontoons" that you fill with water and use as weight. Ballast weight bags are different. Typically these are cloth bags filled with metal materials (lead, steel, etc) to create weight. 

Ballast weight bags are nice because there's zero clean up involved. When you use weight bags to shape your wake, you can easily move them around while you're out on the water, but once you have a Fat Sac filled, it's impossible to change its location on the boat while you're out on the water unless you empty it first. 

Another "con" for Fat Sacs and the use of any water in your ballast system is that at the end of the year it will cost you more in winterization fees because those entire areas will need to be cleaned out. Then at the end of the year or whenever you empty your Fat Sacs, you'll not only need to make sure you've completely dried out the sacs so they don't grow mildew, but you'll also have to store them. Just like trying to get a tent to fit in its original packaging, folding up a used Fat Sac can be a challenge. 

Ballast weight bags were created to solve all of these problems. These weight bags weigh 50 lbs each.

If you are serious about wake surfing or are just getting started, do it right the first time and use weight bags. 

Precision Boats just got our year's shipment in and they are flying off the shelf. If you have any questions about creating that perfect wake, about ballast systems, or weight bags, please give us a call. We love boating, surfing, boarding, skiing, tubing, and anything related to those days on the water; we love it! So, come in and chat and we'll make sure you get everything you need for the perfect summer.