Malibu Owners Manual • 2018 • How It Works • Page 4-20
BALLAST SYSTEM
Malibu’s Quad Hard-Tank ballast system is the best, most discrete way to add significant weight or balance out your load to
create the exact wake or wave you desire. Ranging from a total of 1,250 pounds to 1,450 pounds, the hard-tank ballast more than
meets the need.
Hard tanks don’t collect mildew on the outside and add to the maintenance requirements. Because the tanks are housed under
the floorboard, storage is not compromised. The tanks also provide accurate level readings, which are displayed on the Maliview 12”
display screen.
All Malibu boats are equipped with at least three (3) ballast tanks and have an optional bow (4”) tank, plus optional plumbing for
Plug ‘n Play.
Optional plumbing for Fly High Plug ‘n Play bags is available at the time of the original boat order. Malibu
recommends choosing bags from a Malibu-approved ballast bag list for the corresponding model year (dealers have
a list available). When bags from the approved list are use the bag weight does not need to be subtracted from the
total boat capacity as that is already included. However, if bags are used that are not on the approved list, weight
must be subtracted from the total weight capacity. Weight distribution must also be considered. Exceeding the weight
limits can lead to damage to the boat, and possible sinking.
Most of the ballast system is invisible to the consumer, but its effects are obvious and enjoyable. The tanks are located beneath the
deck in locations that will assist in balancing the added weight of the water. However, in boats equipped with Surf Gate, adjustments
can be made to boat balance that will allow additional wake from either side of the boat in a safer manner than would be done by
shifting passengers and/or gear on-board. See more information on Surf Gate later in this section.
The tanks are filled and emptied by pumps that are controlled through the video screen. See the Dashes and Video Screen section
of this Owner’s Manual for details about how to properly fill and empty the ballast tanks. On the 12” MaliView, the user has control
to fill or drain each tank to specified set levels, one tank at a time or fill/drain all with a tap of one button on the screen.
Be sure to empty the ballast tanks prior loading the boat onto the trailer and removing the boat from the water. Tanks MUST be
empty prior to trailering the boat as the additional weight can cause damage to the trailer, tow vehicle and imbalance on the trailer
that could affect safety, or overload the trailer and cause damage that is not covered under warranty.
Water in the ballast tanks should always be pumped out prior to removing the boat from the water. Never trailer
the boat with water in the ballast tanks; residual water can cause an imbalance that alters the amount of weight on
the trailer tongue. Without the proper weight percentage forward, the tongue can become unstable and cause loss of
control of the trailer and tow vehicle. Additionally, attempting to trailer your boat without the ballast tanks and/or
bags emptied can overload the trailer and cause damage that is not covered under warranty.
Boats that are going to be stored for more than a couple of weeks or prepared for winter, must have all of the water
removed from the ballast tanks. Failure to do so can result in damage that is not covered under warranty.
When emptying the ballast tanks, watch the outlets on both sides of the boat and aft, depending on the model and number of
outlets. (If you are uncertain, check with your authorized Malibu dealer for assistance in determining the bilge outlets from the
ballast outlets.) Ballast pumps will continue working as long as the controller is ON. Therefore, operators must ensure that the
pumping is turned OFF when the outlets show only a minute amount of water is coming out. Leaving the pumps ON will result in
pump damage.
If the boat is equipped with optional Plug ‘n Play, Malibu recommends rechecking that the rear tanks are empty five (5) minutes
after starting the drain process. This verifies that no extra water was left from Plug ‘n Play and leaked into the hard tank.
Ballast pumps must be turned OFF after emptying the tanks. When only a drizzle of water is coming from the
outlets, manually turn OFF the ballast pumps, via the 12” MaliView screen. Allowing the ballast pumps to continue
operating when there is no water to be pumped will result in the internal controls being permanently damaged,
which is not covered under warranty.
Models:
All models are equipped with ballast systems unless it is deleted during the build process, per the customer’s order. The optional plumbing for
Plug ‘n Play must be part of the original order.
Summary of Contents for M235 2018
Page 4: ......
Page 13: ......
Page 14: ...Safety...
Page 48: ...Quick Reference Guide...
Page 69: ......
Page 70: ...Dashes and Video Screens...
Page 109: ......
Page 110: ...How It Works...
Page 134: ...Trailers...
Page 147: ......
Page 148: ...Get Ready...
Page 156: ...Care and Maintenance...
Page 171: ...Malibu Owners Manual 2018 Care and Maintenance Page...
Page 172: ...Malibu Limited Warranty Statement...
Page 182: ......
Page 188: ...Malibu Owners Manual 2018 Warranty Page 8 17...
Page 189: ...Malibu Owners Manual 2018 Troubleshooting Page 8 18...
Page 194: ...Malibu Owners Manual 2018 Service Log Page 8 23 Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date...