Hey all,
Got a 2011 Sunsport 22V, and been trying to wake surf behind it this summer. We're getting up without a problem, and pulling nicely into the flats, but notice that we can't quite seem to get off the rope. We seem to be able to get good slack in the rope, but no real "push" to be able to drop the rope and stay off completely. Don't get me wrong, we're having ALOT of fun trying - but it would be nice to be able to ride the wave entirely this year, and cruise along for awhile. We've mastered the "don't be heavy on the back foot" and noticed we're getting more aggressive with the front foot down - which helps tremendously. Every time we try to come off the rope though, it seems that we end up washing out the back.
We're riding a smaller board (Liquid Force 4'10 Custom - 20.4" wide) which I think is somewhat playing into the reason we can't go without rope. We've noted that we have a more "advanced" board - one which is tougher for beginners and more of a shredding/skim type board - or so it seems. Story there is that I got a good deal on craigslist and figured it would be a decent way to try the sport fairly cheaply.
We're also only running stock ballast bags. I believe the ballast configuration is as follows:
Center Ski Locker: 650 lbs (*may only be 550 - trying to remember specs)
Back Left Locker: 400 lbs
Back Right Locker: 400 lbs
Usually I have the boat configured in the following manner:
Center: 100% (full) - heard more weight up front will give a longer "pocket"
Back Left: 100% (surfside) - the only side we surf on
Back Right: 50% (to add some weight to the back end)
WakePlate: 10-20% - depending on how we can get it dialed in
Speed: 10.5 MPH
The number of people we have on the boat varies from 4 to 12 - but one time we had the above config PLUS 8 people on the back left corner. (+1 driver)(all 8 seated - everyone snuggled up nice and close). The wave looked HUGE compared to normal, and we were rocking the gangster lean - but it was a choppy day - so tough to get a good read on how that worked. We've played with wake plate settings, with speed, and a bit with the ballast - but the above config seems to put us as close as possible to going ropeless.
I have two "purchase now" options - both should be implemented before Summer 2014, but I wanted to see which one the forums thought would have the most impact IMMEDIATELY: (we would love to conquer rope-less before this summer finally breaks for good)
1. New Board - We've been researching various boards, and note that our board is MUCH narrower than most of the normal surf style boards - so we've considered a HyperLite Broadcast (5'6) as well as a Hyperlite LandLock (5'10) as good beginner boards. Some CWB boards are also in the mix as well. We're not sure we wanna go with the $500+ (Inland Surfer) boards that everyone seems to LOVE - until we can get some people off-rope first. We note that the Landlock may be too much chill and not enough fun as we progress - but we also have some bigger friends 250+ and less aggressive friends who won't wanna shred on the skim-type boards and will just enjoy getting up and cruising. Right now, we figure the cost is at least 25-33% lower than normal on some of these boards at end of year- so it may be worth it to pick one up @ $200 - $300.
2. Add a 1100lbs FlyHigh sack to the back left - and take the 400lbs for somewhere else on boat. (front/left back seats) I've been thinking long and hard about this option as well. $200 bucks and 15 min install guarantees us a big wake surf-side, even if we're light on people. Loaded down- we become a wave making MACHINE. I like that idea - and obviously the extra weight will come in handy next year as well. However, if we're on the wrong board, it's possible that no matter WHAT amount of ballast I have, I may have a tough time getting to go without rope.
So, as you can see - I'm torn. Each option has benefits that are likely to help the cause, but I'm not sure which is best to go for at this point in time- so I am looking to my fellow Supra owners to help with suggestions. All thoughts and suggestions are welcome. Will provide some pics of the wake shortly.
HyperCVAD198