What it is: Mastercraft Tankbuster Factory Rear Ballast Upgrade

The WakeMAKERS Mastercraft TankBuster Wakeboard Ballast System is designed to integrate with your factory ballast system easily, be controlled using the switches on your dash, and not require any additional effort to fill and drain. It’s a must have if your summer days on the lake are spent wakesurfing. Are you tired of throwing pumps over the side of your boat? Then the Mastercraft TankBuster factory ballast system upgrade is your solution. Replace the factory hard tanks with our Mastercraft wakeboard ballast system to create a massive wakesurfing or wakeboarding wake. Maximize the ballast capacity in each rear corner, while at the same time restoring full use of the lockers for storage when you don’t need the biggest wake possible.

For Use In:

This TankBuster system is designed to work with any Mastercraft v-drive wakeboard boat that has hard ballast tanks that installed above the floor in the rear lockers and uses reversible Jabsco Ballast Puppy Pumps. That includes, but is not limited to, the following models:

• ’02 Mastercraft X-Star
• ’03-’05 Mastercraft X2
• ’06-current Mastercraft X1
• ’03-’05 Mastercraft X15
• ’03-’05 Mastercraft X30

For specific questions on fitment, and for possible compatibility with other models, please contact us.

Bag Size and Dimensions:

• 400lbs – 42″ x 16″ x 16″
• 455lbs – 32″ x 18″ x 20″
• 565lbs – 42″ x 19″ x 19″
• 750lbs – 50″ x 20″ x 20″
• 1,100 – 50″ x 24″ x 24″

Where it goes:

The Mastercraft TankBuster Ballast System Upgrade takes the place of the existing factory hard tank installed in each rear locker of certain Mastercraft wakeboard boats. Once installed, the new ballast sac is controlled completely from the driver’s seat, and uses the factory pumps and plumbing. Everything functions exactly the same as it did from the factory, but you’ve added a significant amount of ballast capacity. Additionally, when the bags are empty, the entire rear locker is available, dramatically increasing the amount of storage space for gear and equipment. This kit includes everything needed for the installation, including a new ballast bag and the necessary Fly High quick connect fittings.

Starting at $29.95 Buy Now »

What it is: Fly High Pro X Series Mastercraft X-Star Additional Ballast System

The Fly High Mastercraft X-Star Additional Ballast System pushes the wakeboard performance of this world class wakeboard boat over the top with an additional 1,900 lbs. of ballast. That means you have a total of 2,800 pounds of ballast available, all fully integrated into the factory system, and controllable from the dash with the flip of a switch. Constructed from a single layer of the same durable yet flexible material used to build white water rafts, the Fly High Pro X Series ballast bags offer unmatched strength and durability. Additionally, Fly High Pro X Series ballast bags feature multiple waterproof threaded fittings built into the bags construction. This is a complete ballast system and includes all of the parts, pieces and connectors required to install in Mastercraft’s X-Star.

For Use In:

Where It Goes:

The Fly High Mastercraft X-Star Additional Ballast System makes use of the factory ballast system pumps and switches, but adds one additional ballast bag in the each rear locker, and one additional ballast bag underneath the seats in the bow. The additional ballast bags are tied into the factory pump system using the included manifold system, which allows both the factory tank, and the new ballast bag to be filled using the stock switch on the dash.

For specific questions on fitment, and for possible compatibility with other models, click here.

Ballast System Specifications:

Size: (2) 40 x 22 x 22 – (2) 40 x 22 x 6
Capacity: (2) 700lbs. – (2) 650lbs.
Connections: Fully Custom
Model #: 558031
Available Colors: Grey

Starting at $1250.00 Buy Now »

What it is: Mastercraft PiggyBack Rear Factory Ballast System Upgrade

The Mastercraft PiggyBack Rear Ballast System is designed to make use of the existing pumps, hoses and switches in your Mastercraft boat, to expand the capacity of your factory rear ballast tanks up to an incredible 1,000lbs. This kit includes everything needed for the installation, including a replacement Fly High Pro X Series ballast bag (choose your capacity), Fly High quick connect fittings, all necessary fittings and adapters, hose and installation guide.

For Use In:

The PiggyBack 750 Ballast System is designed to make use of the existing pumps, hoses and switches in your Mastercraft, to expand the capacity of your factory rear ballast tanks from 250lbs. to an incredible 1,100lbs. As the name implies, this Ballast System Add-On is connected inline with the overflow of the factory ballast tank, allowing it to PiggyBack on the factory system.

For specific questions on fitment, and for possible compatibility with other models, click here.

Bag Size and Dimensions:

Dimensions:

• 400lbs – 42″ x 16″ x 16″
• 455lbs – 32″ x 18″ x 20″
• 565lbs – 42″ x 19″ x 19″
• 750lbs – 50″ x 20″ x 20″
• 1,100lbs – 50″ x 24″ x 24″

Starting at $29.95 Buy Now »

For 2010 MasterCraft has engineered a secondary Plug N’ Play ballast upgrade that works in conjunction with the existing factory ballast system. The depth of engineering involved in developing the Plug N’ Play Ballast system took a number of years to perfect.

The MasterCraft Plug & Play Ballast system delivers the ability to mix and match ballast loads depending on rider preference. By operating the ballast selection switch tanks can be filled separately, bags can be filled separately, or both tanks and bags can be filled together for maximum wake size. The ballast selection can also control which side the tanks and bags are filled on to create the best wakesurfing wave. The ballast system was designed to work in conjunction with MasterCraft’s new surf tabs for killer surf wakes even behind a pickle fork boat.

The heavy duty valves and valve indicator selection switches are all actuated electronically and do not require manual selection. The control system is proprietary to MasterCraft and has been waterproofed with a potted resin material to maintain in the harshest of weather conditions including saltwater use.

In engineering the system, MasterCraft worked directly with Fly High to develop customized ballast bags which fit neatly in the storage areas. The rear bags take into consideration such factors as bulkhead dimensions and the raw water strainer location of each specific model. The forward bags take into consideration the dimensions of the storage area under the seats and obstructions such as stereo amplifiers and wiring. But the most important consideration in developing these additional ballast bags is engineering them to work within the Maximum Capacity of each MasterCraft model in which they are equipped.

Since adding additional ballast at the factory would affect the published Coast Guard Maximum Capacity, the additional ballast sacks must be purchased and attached separately by the dealer or customer. (Mastercraft X-45 Plug & Play Ballast Upgrade) In order to comply with US Coast Guard Safety Standards currently in effect, the weight of a fully ballasted boat (hard tanks full and Fly High ballast bags full) will be 600 pounds less than Maximum Capacity of the boat. This leaves enough weight capacity for passengers and gear depending on the combined weight of the driver, crew and onboard gear. It will be the Captain’s responsibility to assure the weight limits of their specific MasterCraft model are within Coast Guard limits. Understand your responsibility. As long as the MasterCraft dealer or customer equips their boat with the model-specific ballast bags from Fly High, they will be under the Maximum Capacity for their model boat and comply with Coast Guard Standards.

After ensuring Coast Guard compliance, MasterCraft’s objective in engineering this system is for the secondary ballast bags to fill and empty with their existing ballast pumps at the flip of a switch. In order to accomplish this, they have had to bypass the autofill- and-empty system that is equipped on all boats without the Plug N’ Play option. Run dry protection is maintained with the Plug N’ Play system by maintaining a thermo coupler, which shuts the pump off automatically upon sensing high temperatures that would occur if a pump is accidentally left running.

The system is easy to use but requires monitoring to ensure everything fills to capacity then is manually switched off before use. Although you can use the BIG’s Ballast screen to see if the tanks are full (or listen for the overflow), there are no sending units in ballast bags, so no bag level readout is available on the BIG. The operator should open the front and rear storage areas where the bags are located to watch the actual bags themselves to see when they are full. To reiterate, there is NO Auto Shut off feature for Plug N’ Play. Still, there is no danger of rupturing bags since the ballast pumps only provide 9 PSI of pumping power and bags are rated to accept up to 45 PSI of water pressure. That means the pump will never be able to provide enough pressure to rupture the bags; instead the impeller pump will just continue to spin. For the record, the hard tanks are rated at only 3PSI which is why an overflow port is essential.

Additional things to know about the MasterCraft Plug N’ Play Ballast Upgrade:

1. To install the bags, you will need to remove the plugs that will come with all the plumbing. Keep track of these plugs and place them back in the plumbing when and if the bags are removed. Without the plugs or bags in place, there is risk of water making its way into the boat through these lines.
2. Once the bags are installed, you are ready to go. In order to fill the ballast bags, after the hard tanks are filled find the Plug N’ Play switches (pictured above) and simply move the switch to the right so the indicator light turns from green light (tanks) to a red light (bags). This activates the electronic valve that switches water flow from the hard tanks to the bags. Once red, the bags are ready to fill by selecting the appropriate ballast switch. Please note that the Plug N’ Play switches control the forward and aft systems separately.
3. Finally MasterCraft recommends that you have fun with your new upgraded ballast system. Here is the list of current MasterCraft boats that can be equipped with the Plug & Play Ballast System (as long as the boats are equipped with the standard ballast system first).
   • MasterCraft 200 / X-2
   • MasterCraft 215 / X-15
   • MasterCraft 225 / X-25
   • MasterCraft 235 / X-35
   • MasterCraft 245 / X-45 Plug N’ Play Ballast System
   • MasterCraft X-Star Plug N’ Play Ballast System
   

If you have any questions about the correct factory upgraded ballast for your Mastercraft Wakeboard Boat feel free to contact us for expert advice.

If you own a Mastercraft X-2 and want to upgrade the factory ballast system for wakeboarding or wakesurfing, Fly High’s Additional Ballast System for Mastercraft X-2 wakeboard boats is one of the best options available.

This upgrade ballast system allows boat owners to easily increase the capacity of their onboard ballast while maintaining the functionality of the factory system.  It’s been available for a while now, and thanks to a fellow Mastercraft owner that was nice enough to let us repost the images he took of his upgrade, we’ve got some additional pictures of what is involved in the install.

The complete kit includes everything that you need to complete the installation with the exception of basic hand and power tools, so there’s nothing extra to purchase.  Once installed, the system allows you to select whether you would like to fill the factory hard tanks, the new additional bags, or both for the biggest possible wake.  This flexibility gives you the ability to tailer the wake to nearly any shape and size for both wakeboarding and wakesurfing.

Check out the install pictures in the gallery below, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about Fly High’s ballast systems for Mastercraft boats.

Gallery: 2008 Mastercraft X2 Fly High Ballast Install