ucduke

Thanks for the input. Great ideas. I'm still thinking of just filling the 250 hard tank and capping it off, disconnect it from the pump, drain, and vent. Then use all the existing pumps and plumbing add in a few "T" connections with ball valves- one going to each 550 bag in back lockers with quick connects so I can move them for surfing. Also going to add in an 10ft Auxillary fill/empty line and keep it coiled under the seat for filling either a bow bag or another side bag for surfing. Where did you get your tractor weights? I was looking at lead ballast to maybe fill the stock 250 hard tank with instead of water, but it's pricey. Im looking at the sacs and quick connects from wakemakers, but the other day I was at home depot and found all the hose, clamps and hardware that I need for way less than wakemakers. Anyone know if there's a better and cheaper way than those wakemaker quick connects?

We just purchased a 2001 Eclipse V drive with air warrior package. So, now that I've gotten into the inside of the boat and found some things out, I really want to add some weight to the ridiculous 250 lb center ballast tank. I've been reading a lot of posts on here and other sites, checked out wavemakers and I'm trying to figure out the best and simplest system that I can convert my current set up to. Currently it just has the stock, center hard tank = 25 lbs, which to be honest makes little to zero difference in the wake size. There are 2 stock Atwater 750A pumps with 1" tubing, one for filling and one for draining. If anyone is familiar with these boats and this stock set up and has already added a set up, please direct me in the right direction. Here is what direction I am currently headed in: Leave the stock 250# hard tank - I'm thinking of filling it, capping it off and leaving it that way - disconnect the pump and just forget about it. Add 2 400 lb sacks in the back, one on each side of the V-drive in the lockers. Add 650 lb sack in the front bow. Run them with 2 pumps. Not sure if I should change the pumps, add pumps or? Connect it all with the same intake that's already there, and the same venting set and everything. This will give me 1700 lbs total. I can always add another 500 lb sac on the floor, drivers side for surfing. I surf goofy footed. Im okay with them filling in 15-20 minutes, but would like it to be faster if its not going to cost me too much. Any ideas? Anyone done this already with this boat? It already has the switch on the dash and the manual open/close valve mounted just under the walk thru.

Boat is all cleaned up and in storage for the winter months. I learned a lot from reading through all the forums on this site. Some really nice boats on here.. Thanks for all who gave input. I've posted some pics on my profile. So now it's time to look into upgrading my ballast system. Cheers

We pulled the trigger on the 01 Cent Eclipse... Drove down to Merced today and took it out.. kicked the tires.. Pristine condition..its clean, everything works, only 97 hours, very well cared for. The owner didnt even know that it had the Ballast or the difference between direct drive vs V drive. only used it 10 hours a season for the last 5 years. But its been serviced every year by records. Hull was unscratched and enterior was garaged kept and covered all year long. She took $16K cash and my tax will only be for 10K.. Trailer was like new, brand new stereo with ipod hook up. I think we scored.. Im happy. Im actually stoked out of my mind!!! I would post pics but I cant dont know how.. LOL This will be a really fun boat for us for sure.. we're gonna put 500 hours on this Biotch!!LOL Thanks for your help, Darrell and Hien in Sac

Thanks Troy, I'm in Sac and yeah I saw the first 2 ads already and have previously emailed them but yet to receive a response. I will email those other 3 you sent me as well. I don't mind driving a distance if I can score a deal. So you think the Cyclone is a much better hull than the Eclipse? I know the Avy is a bigger and therefore heavier boat = bigger wake with weight added. Anyways.. I appreciate the input and searches

So.. one person says the Centurion Hull is is best and one says the Malibu Hull is best..Hmm... Decisions, decisions.. I already drove the Bu.. going to drive the Cent tomorrow. I've been searching like crazy all over Craigs list in many, many different cities, looked on inboards only site, boat trader, boat boss.. Im trying to be patient, but we are leaving to Hawaii in a month and I won't be back here to mainland until spring and I want the boat deal done and in storage waiting for us when we return. If we like the Cent tommorrow, Im offering them 15k cash.. unless someone can tell me the Eclipse V-drive is a poohey hull and only good for skiing. I just can't justify spending $7k more on the Bu.. its 2 years older and has way more hours (370 vs only 97)..Both boats will need perfect pass and ballast anyway. Feel free to chime in..my wife knows nothing about wakeboard boats and is only asking for something clean and reliable.. but she does love the v-drive wrap-around seating in the Bu. Oh.. and the brand new tower on it is sweet. It was just added last year.

Thanks for your input Troy..wow an 07 Avy for $22K.. yeah.. I'd take that too. Nothing around here like that for that price..all around $29 - 34K from what I've been seeing. Maybe as it gets closer to boat show time there will be better deals? All the dealers tell me that a lot of boat owners try and sell or trade in at boat shows and therefore the best time to look for deals. But Im pretty sure I can get the Eclipse for $17K, maybe even $16, which for a V-Drive, is pretty good. Thank you CenturionSkier, that was very informational and exactly the type of input I'm looking for here. I'm taking it out to the lake Monday to test drive it. I'm definitely hoping that the hull of the Eclipse is something that I can build a surfable wake on. Thanks

Hey, I just joined this site as well, but I had the same boat as you a few years ago. I took the flooring out thinking that was all I had to replace and found deeper issues, so beware. Before you put a new floor in, be sure and check the stringers. It's a chronic problem for boats of that era since the ski pole is mounted with thru bolts, water can and does seep into the stringers there. So you need to make sure that you cut away some of the glassing in that area and check the stringers. If they are soft your going to need to do some work there before you put a new floor over it. When I did mine.. I googled "replacing stringers on a fiberglass boat". Tons of info out there with step by step directions and forums with pics. I used epoxy and marine grade lumber throughout. I also just opted to completely remove the old ski pole since I was going to put on a tower anyway, that way more room and no worries about further water leaking in. I did the whole thing, stingers, floor and new carpet for about $1000. Epoxy is pricey. Good luck and enjoy it.

I'm new to this site and have been reading the threads for a few days now and doing all kinds of research trying to decide on a boat. Been looking all over the place at boats including dealers and private parties. This will be just my 2nd boat. First boat was a 87 centurion tru track (bought it on CR for $5K) that I completely rebuilt from redoing the stringers to adding a tower and stereo and new upholstery, sold it for 11K. Been saving to upgrade and now have about 22K cash to spend. I've decided on a v-drive for sure, as we only wakeboard and want to start surfing. Budget is 22K tops, but hoping to get into something for less so I have money to pay taxes, reg and any upgrades I might need. Really hoping to get some advice here from some more experienced and savy boaters. 2 boats that are catching our attention is a 99 Malibu Sunsetter VLX v-drive, has the new swept back tower on it that has never had a rope on it,, makes the boat look really sweet despite the weak graphics. Boat has 360 hours and is very clean, runs strong. Downsides are: no perfect pass, no ballast, sound system is junk. The wake is nice and a good base to work from for sure. But the price is $20,500 firm from Dealer and they won't budge, which means with taxes, Im at the top of my budget. 2nd boat is a 01 Centurion Air Warrior Eclipse v-drive. This is the one with open bow but the ice chest is in the walk through, no wrap around seating. Has the one 250 center ballast stock. The boat is in phenominal condition with just 97 hours on it and sweet graphics. It does not have perfect pass either, but does have a decent sound system. Private seller is asking 19K and I know for sure they will take less. I guess Im a bit leary that the boats been sitting for prolonged periods. Is this a factor? It's been garaged and looks like new. I know the malibu is a solid boat and a good hull to start with, but my only experience with Centurions is with my 87 rotted stringer POS. Either boat is a huge step up for us, but Im really hoping to get some input. I know for another couple thousand I can get into a lot more boat options, but Im trying to get into something now, while the used boats are cheap. WIth the 01 Eclipse I can have money towards adding more ballast, perfect pass, etc. so I am stearing towards that. I found tons of stuff here about Elites, but not much about the Eclipse. Can someone please school me on these hulls. Is it the same hull? Any input is greatly appreciated.