CarolinaBurt
Active Member
Guys, many of us just participated in a long thread about on-board battery chargers with surprising concerns raised - those worried about weight. I've owned my '02 for 20 years now after purchasing it new in 1997. It has always sat low in the water at rest. The sponsons actually will go under if I walk to the back on either side. The Promax SS has built-in 1.5" setback and along with the 10" Allison "short shaft" jackplate, there is a lot of weight back there.
So, several years ago I added an inflatable exercise ball that fills the entire void area between the transom and engine - top to bottom/side to side. While this really does improve the "at rest" floating height, I have two problems -
First is that the splashwell drain is covered by the ball. The well does not drain at all. Even if I lower the ball below the drain, the escaping water has nowhere to go. I've tried different sizes and styles - same issues.
Second is that "If the ball deflates, loses air for whatever reason while at speed - the large, rubber/plastic ball material is now free to fall or be shaken out of the bottom of the void in the jack plate only to find it's way over the pointed Sportmaster gearcase, block water intakes, damage the prop, or just make a huge mess of a blow-out or steering crisis.
So, I've raised this question - what are you guys using and what have you done to fix the drain and lost ball potential? Yea, I know a diet would help, but I've been 240 most of my adult life.....not likely to be the skinny one in the room anytime soon! Gordon
So, several years ago I added an inflatable exercise ball that fills the entire void area between the transom and engine - top to bottom/side to side. While this really does improve the "at rest" floating height, I have two problems -
First is that the splashwell drain is covered by the ball. The well does not drain at all. Even if I lower the ball below the drain, the escaping water has nowhere to go. I've tried different sizes and styles - same issues.
Second is that "If the ball deflates, loses air for whatever reason while at speed - the large, rubber/plastic ball material is now free to fall or be shaken out of the bottom of the void in the jack plate only to find it's way over the pointed Sportmaster gearcase, block water intakes, damage the prop, or just make a huge mess of a blow-out or steering crisis.
So, I've raised this question - what are you guys using and what have you done to fix the drain and lost ball potential? Yea, I know a diet would help, but I've been 240 most of my adult life.....not likely to be the skinny one in the room anytime soon! Gordon