Just thought i would start a thread for do it your self wake shaping devices like the surfgate.
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Just thought i would start a thread for do it your self wake shaping devices like the surfgate.
These are the ram mounts
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4f70567a.jpg
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...psb373abb8.jpg
all the pieces installed
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...psa0e23620.jpg
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4669a964.jpg
That is bad ass! Are those cutting boards? Is this manually actuated or is there an actuator under there??
Yeah, I see a Ram Mount failure in your future...
But Hey, it's not like you've got a TON invested. I've been reading all the threads and watching the developments. But as I have a fiberglass swim platform it'll probably be best for me to wait it out and see what develops before I press on...
(although if I did go the ram mount option, I could always use a mount that clamped on the railing of my swim platform...)
the other option you have is to use an aluminum spacer that is drilled and tapped to attach to the swim platform brackets. this is what i will probably do for my buddies moomba assuming mine works:)
looks good. what did you use for the board?
2500HD -- Are you getting these ideas from another board or did you engineer this one yourself? I'd like to build a similar setup (I'd just build 2 and put one on either side) but I'd like to read more about it and see some other photos if there is development happening anywhere.
Damn! Those Ram Mounts are EXPENSIVE!!
http://www.e-mount.com/page_results....tring=04005001
The most comprehensive thread is on the Malibu forum. do a search for "DIY Surf Gate" or go here: http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/...poormans-gate/
Basically the concept is that you're putting in a 'gate' like Malibu does on their new surf gate on the OPPOSITE side that you're surfing on to delay the convergence of the two wakes coming off your boat. this not only elongates the surf pocket but also tends to clean up the surf wake because it delays where the darkside wake flows over the surf wake until later behind the longer pocket... It really doesn't make the surf wake bigger, but it does tend to allow people to weight the boat more evenly and minimize or eliminate the need to list the boat hard.
The site you're looking at seems way high. Try here:
http://www.gpscity.com/mounts
Many people are just using 2x4's and what not and attaching to teak platforms... Lots of options here. All the way up to using trim tab actuators...
the ram mounts i came up with after deciding to use them on my bimini. but the rest is from the malibu forum and a guy from the centurion forum. I'm pretty sure i have read every post on the surfgate.lol
Like trayson said, i don't want to have to switch bags back and forth to surf different sides plus it really, really cleaned up the darkside wake. I'm pretty sure that the little bit of countersteer you have to do with the rudder helps to push a lot of wash in the other direction from where you are surfing there by cleaning up the wave.
ram mounts don't hold enough so i'm gonna use my prototype except i'll hinge it so i can stow it away easily.
I'm gonna try raising my old swimdeck with a 2x4. It's sitting about 6 inches under water when weighted. Out of curiosity have you try'd one with a taper with the bottom edge tapering towards the top? Just wondering if it would help eliminate the spray and still give the boat enough crab?
Thought you might be interested in my latest design. Not sure if enough of it will be in the water at speed though. Guess i'll find out this weekend!
It's pretty much a free floating rudder that can be pinned to the side. I'm hoping enough of it is in the water underspeed to delay the wave convergence.
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps002d1acf.jpg
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps450ce7ca.jpg
yes, that is a scrench acting as a temporary pin
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps607e0e64.jpg
a shot from under hull
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps465a1bbb.jpg
I don't think you will have any problem with it staying in the water at speed. I think your issue will be having enough diversion of the water coming off the side of the boat to make a difference. I think stearing might be a issue since what it is is a rudder. Let me know how it does.
I've been using the term rudder for any type of surfgate, that's what brought me to this idea. It also was because of your post of the non surfside gate disrupting the wake that brought me to the idea of a free floating gate. That is until it is pinned in place. If this one doesn't work I will try bolting it to to the pivot point at an angle to increase the surface area in the water.
I like it. I didnt get any video of it but what I was experiencing was the gate was making its own wake in the surf wake and screwing it up. unless you can figure out a way to have it completely out of the water it will always do it. if you look at the diy video were they have both gates installed they do it. the Malibu system does it also.
It does clean up the wave and make it longer but the wave loses all push, so i took it off and had a dirtier shorter wave but a lot more push. I think i'm just going to stick with slamming one side of the boat. It was fun to tinker with though, just couldn't get enough push.
I had the same problem. I decreased the angle to about 20 degrees and dumped my front weight and it made all the difference. decreasing the angle allows the non side wake to back up the surf side a little giving it some peak. Like figuring out your ballast, you have to figure out your ballast, gate angle and speed. The result is dramatic with significant less weight needed, no dangerous lean and quit switch to the other side. I'm using my 750 bags in the rear lockers only compared to one of them in the locker, one on the surf side floor and my 1100 lb bag in the front.
I hear ya about less angle, Makes sense. One thing you should know about my "rudder" design is that it does not make it's own wake on the surf side. It's only 1/2 inch thick and free floats when not locked into position.
I may have to try it again with less angle. I don't think it takes much to delay the 2 waves.
Thanks to a little persuasion from CornRickey i tried my "rudder" again. This time I drilled 3 holes behind the original pin setting so i could try different angles. The results were surprising to say the least. It turns out that you need very little side force on a saltare to clean up the wake. The more side force you apply the longer and shorter the wave gets. So i used the last pin setting which is maybe at 7 degrees and cleaned the wake but left all the push. I did a little video of both sides using the last pin and only 1000# for ballast, the boat had 1/2 tank of gas and 3 people in the boat. I'll post video as soon as it's done loading on youtube.
one small disclaimer, it was really choppy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPEmjC4nR2Q
looking pretty good.
One thing this design should allow me to do is really adjust the wave. I.E lots of weight in the back adjust to a steeper setting and lengthen the wave. not much weight just use a shallow angle and clean the wave but don't lengthen.
Well, it makes sense to try a rudder approach. I mean, that's what Centurian is doing for their newest boat.
Quote:
NEW! Centurion Articulating Tracking System (CATS)
In 1990, Ski Centurion introduced the patented Centurion Articulating Tracking System (CATS) to enhance a ski boat’s steering and tracking ability. In 2014, Centurion has done it again, this time introducing a CATS fin with a focus on adjusting for the perfect wake. Through a steering column lever or Touch Vision System, the new CATS fin articulates under the boat on command. While the boat is underway, the CATS fin will deflect the bow of the boat so each rider can manipulate the shape of the wave giving total control of the face, vertical aspect, length and position. While wake surfing with a CATS fin equipped boat and its instant wave adjustments, riders can take their surfing to the next level. Not limited to wake surfing, the new CATS also helps adjust wakeboard wakes without changing onboard ballast or moving people about the boat. Simply adjust the CATS fin port or starboard – based on your boat’s weight with crew and gear – instantly perfecting the wake.
http://theskimonster.com/files/thesk...acking-Fin.jpgQuote:
The CAT System gives the driver of the boat the ability to change the angle of the tracking fin underneath the boat. By manipulating the angle of the tracking fin the boat planes on a different axis changing the steepness of the wave and length of the pocket. Not only is this great for surfing but a way to get the wake even on both sides for wakeboarding, wakeskating or even waterskiing. I drive my boat a lot and there is nothing worse than having to ask people, especially women, to sit on the otherside of the boat in order to even out the wake. Thanks Centurion for getting rid of that headache!
So, who is going to be the first to drill a hole in the bilge and install another rudder in the middle of thier boat??? Now, to figure out where to put the 2nd steering wheel! LOL. Maybe just a Port/Starboard rocker switch?
Maybe you should also tweak your wake plate to be asymetrical like Centurion is doing as well?
http://theskimonster.com/files/thesk...Wing-Plate.jpgQuote:
The reason boats have a great surf wake on one side and a not so great one on the other is because of the direction the prop spins. The Assymetrical Wing Plate makes for a great surf wave on both port and starboard sides. In addition the wing plate also keeps the exhaust from hitting the water making for a much cleaner wake. Oh and of course just like other trim tabs you have the ability to adjust the plate to change steepness and length of the wave.
damn, and i thought i had come up with something new. love the wave on the enzo though.
on the wake plate i may try some sheetmetal and rivets. and maybe a rudder in the center drain plug would work?
Yep, that's where mine is also. And i'm not drilling any holes in my hull! My system works great and it takes about 3 seconds to adjust.
I don't think it would be the drilling the hole, installing a rudder port, finding a mini rudder and wiring a servo to drive it -- that all seems easy compared to the math of figuring out in what position it should be doing what and then tying that into our boats that have mechanical throttles and steering. What a nightmare!
I was thinking that you'd install the mini-rudder with a servo to move it left/right. Then it would simply be trial and error to dial it in. Like changing the trim on an I/O. Certainly wouldn't have it be automated. The hardest part would probably be to find "center" after you're done.
got both my "rudder's" put on the boat. Now i can switch sides in about 3 seconds.
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20efc798.jpg
Got to do a few sessions today and i'm very pleased! With the boat evenly weighted i don't have to use the gate on the port side but when i do it makes a super mellow almost buttery wave that is great for beginners. I may try to put in one more setting at an even mellower angle.
Pull the pin and move it to the darkside and i have a super long wave with plenty of push. Takes more time to find my lifejacket than it does to switch sides. I think i will try one more setting on this side as well just to steepin the wave. I realized after we were done that i had forgot to move the wake plate up, so the wave could be even a little better.
Interesting. Any better pics at the angle you're at now?
I may give my "surfgate" another try. I may have too much angle and too large of a tab. I had zero push from the wave but the pocket was long!Attachment 12517
I'll go get some and post them up.
this was the best way i had to show the angles since it is hidden under the swimdeck
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps606afd55.jpg
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/...ps69310203.jpg