1999 Air Nautique Ballast Tanks Won't Fill

[jrlucas6]

Hello! First time boat owner so have very little technical knowledge of how it all works. Recently bought a 1999 Air Nautique that has the Launch Control System ballast tanks and the pumps with switch at the helm. We took it out for the first time this weekend, turned both of the valve knobs to On and went 20+ mph as the directions state. I turned the switch to Fill but didn't really hear anything like a pump start going. After reading some posts on here it sounds like the tanks should fill without the pumps as long as you have the valves open.

Either way, neither of the gauges moved the needle at all and the tanks didn't fill. I checked the hoses and everything I could get to and didn't find any noticeable areas that would cause the tanks not to fill.

Any ideas or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

-J

[dhmcfadin]

I am sure you checked but there is a butterfly valve just in-front of the oil pan that may be closed.

[desertskier]

I recently purchased a '99 Pro Air. Took it out for the first time a few weeks ago and tried to fill the tanks. In my case the bilge started filling up with water when I opened the through hull valve and went 20mph. Turned out that the hoses had failed. Both hoses had broken at the tank connections and one had also broken under the muffler. I ended up replacing the hoses and both pumps. I bought direct replacement pumps from Wakemakers. Unfortunately it is not a fun job. I had to disconnect the fuel tank and slide it forward to get enough room to reach the fittings on the bottom of the tanks. Hopefully you don't have the same issues. You can test the system by disconnecting the hose at the through hull fitting and attaching a garden hose or if the pumps are working use a bucket and let the pump suck the water out.