Question for any of the wakesurfers

[thegrapeguy]

I was wondering what type of ballast and where you have put it to optimize your wave. I have the 2014 212X and per Bobbie's recommendation I have an 850 lb bag on the port bench seat to list the boat (we are port side riders).

I also have a 475 lb bag I have put on the rear bench seat to weight down the back in general. I also have tried putting the 475 lb bag on the swim deck 2nd tier (over plugs) a little towards the port side. The bottom line is our best wave has come when we had the 475 on the rear bench and 2 people sitting on the swim deck. But the bow was quite high... But the wave was very rideable, albeit a little tall and short. Don't get me wrong, in the big picture it's a small wave but workable.

I'm wondering if any of you has added more ballast or done any work with ballast upfront. My gut is to get another 475 lb bag and put it on the swim deck as well as rear bench and 850 lb bag on port seat so that I don't always have to find heavy people to sit on swim deck. Curious as to bow weight helping. Bobbie said that the goal is to bury those jets in the back under water and to not worry about bow weight.

BTW I am not getting any wedges - I don't want the hassle - I'm willing to deal with a foamy experience. What I'd ideally like is to be able to ride a bit farther back from the boat and have a little more rideable length...

 

[0627Devildog]

What I'd ideally like is to be able to ride a bit farther back from the boat and have a little more rideable length...

Without a wedge you will need at least 2500lbs ballast. Primarily in the back to keep the Jets down. . . .but you WILL need some up front to sink the hull lower in the water and elongate the wave.

 

[RiverRat]

Yes, you need more weight up front to lengthen the wave.

 

[bobbie]

@Devildog No...you don't need that much weight without a wedge...here's about 1500 lbs

 

[mraz72]

in the pic, what is the ballast setup?

I am leaning towards the x series to get the built in ballast setup....
I see it, you mentioned 1500lbs

 

[bobbie]

450 on the swim deck equally spaced and 1100 lb custom bag from wakemakers on surf side. That's it

 

[thegrapeguy]

Well then Bobbie that explains why when I have the extra 3 people (300 lbs) on the surf side I get my best wave. The trouble with people is they move, even when you tell them to sit tight. Its not too comfortable for them to be crowding the back corner surf side.

I have the 850 lb bag on the surf side - you have 1100 lbs. Thats the difference. I just haven't had enough sessions to dial this in. About 6 sessions. But clearly when I have more weight it's better. I think I'm getting one more Sumo bag - maybe another 475 lb. Then I can place it on the surf side or play with it in the bow or even on the swim deck. Or maybe an extra 300lb bag...

So some scenarios could be:
475er on the swim deck, a 475er on the back seat and the 875er on the surf side bench seat. This would be a lot of back weight...
475er on the swim deck, 875er on the surf side bench seat, 475er in the ski locker or on the bow (floor) - This would fit in with previous posters recommending bow weight to lengthen the wave.
475er on the swim deck, 875er on the surf side bench and a 475er in front of the 875er on the surf side (this bag will be near the glove compartment. And really list the boat.

Thoughts?

 

[jcyamaharider]

Good luck with that.....I have told many people of @bobbies setup and have yet to duplicate it. Her and I even discussed this very thing at Shelbyville. This is also the reason why the 212X is still our most popular wedge. What side are you surfing on @thegrapeguy ? You are not going to throw that size of a wake on the Port ( regular ) side. None of our boats do, even inboards throw a better Goofy wave.

 

[Julian]

Keep in mind that each hull throws a different wave...so your results will vary.

 

[Bill D]

Good luck with that.....I have told many people of @bobbies setup and have yet to duplicate it.

It's because @bobbie's water is so cold, it's more dense.

 

[jcyamaharider]

It's because @bobbie's water is so cold, it's more dense.

You don't have to tell me. Surfing in 47 degree water up there SUCKED!!!

 

[bobbie]

@jcyamaharider It was NOT 47 degrees!! Maybe 68....

 

[mattschepker]

@jcyamaharider It was NOT 47 degrees!! Maybe 68....

Lol.... still to this day you talk to Jerry and Mark about their trip there's two things you're going to hear from them 1 how cold the water was and the 2nd thing is the waffles

 

[bobbie]

@mattschepker . You mean like these??

 

[jcyamaharider]

@jcyamaharider It was NOT 47 degrees!! Maybe 68....

You sure....it felt colder.

 

[bobbie]

@jcyamaharider well...maybe it was closer to 63....it was the first week of october!

 

[buckbuck]

@thegrapeguy make sure you fill everyone up with the above waffles so you get a bigger wave.

 

[ar240owner]

@mattschepker . You mean like these??

View attachment 43606

I loved thouse waffles !!!!!

 

[KXCam22]

Wow 68 degrees...that warm. That's actually normal for us. I didn't realize that the goofy wave was always better. Cam.

 

[thegrapeguy]

And why is the goofy side better? BTW JC we surf on the port side. Waffles and cold water can't be the ticket. This is science. Here is a video of my 1st ropeless ride...