1989 Saltare - My god Spock, what have I done???

[sybrmike]

Thanks for the board input. I'll definitely be looking into gear specific to wakesurfing for the kiddos, just wanted to see what you thought of trying out the one on hand. It does not have foot straps or pads, just use good ole "sex wax". It's truely a "soft" board - foam core with a wood center stringer, all wrapped in a heavy plastic film, with rubber nose and tail bumpers like this. Lots of surface area compared to what I've seen on dedicated wakesurfers, bouyant, and safe (for riders, spectators, and the transom).

Welcome the the winter of project boats, snibb. Look forward to sharing our experiences along the way (as so many others have already graciously done so...).

[saltare inverts]

Itll take some time but it is worth it. The boat is great. Good Luck

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Snibb thanks you have just been entered into my screen saver rotation! Great pic and the Titan looks GREAT on the SunSport. I dont suppose you have a pic of it collapsed? Stop by Oakies Tower thread.

Syber if it works in the ocean it should work behind the boat too. As long as it's not super squishy soft...
One of the fun things about wakesurfing is riding different boards, it really makes a big difference. When I wake I like the same board all the time but surfing is great with more variety to the boards.

Some surfers can bee $4-500 but you can find some good boards for under $200 if you look
-Hyp Coex or Broadcast can be found on Craigslist or ebay cheap (if you are under 200lbs I would go Coex if possible. Broadcast is fun but Coex can do 3's easy)
-Asylum boards just started making their boards in epoxy (like Inland Surfer I think. They used to make them out of wood like old waterskis which I think is super kewl) and you can get a large or small version for only $180 new. They are twin tipped and if you sink the nose it will keep riding!
-Wakeoutlaws.com has used boards sometimes on their forums classifieds page. Check back often you can get a $500 board used for about $250 shipped.
-Local board shops may have demos!! Demo everything if possible!!!

[snibbornairb]

[QUOTE=87SunSportMikeyD;24643]Snibb thanks you have just been entered into my screen saver rotation! Great pic and the Titan looks GREAT on the SunSport. I dont suppose you have a pic of it collapsed? Stop by Oakies Tower thread.

Thanks. It's actually an '88 Mariah. I don't have any collapsed pics, and unfortunately i have it off right now for the rehab project the boat is currently suffering through. Thats actually one other benefit to the tower.
Four bolts and it removes in two pieces. It leans nicely up against the wall in my shed.

[sybrmike]

Mikey - I'll definitely be looking at Coex for a "true" wakesurfer (good comments here and elsewhere) for next spring.

Snib - If work will ever let up, I hope to feel your pain soon when I tear into mine. Just when I've about settled on a ND tower (after dragging up Haugy's old post with his sweet Mariah), you threw a wrench in it with your equally good (albeit different) looking Titan topped Mariah. Decisions, decisions... The Mariah is so close to my Salt - it doesn't look out of place at all on the older designs. Do you have any more pictures you could share? Did you have to be careful in locating the front mounts so as not to interfere with the center windshield opening? And the bimini still fits? Looks like you attached the front directly to the wishbone like Titan's factory top? Do the rear legs really pass through the top like it looks from the pic? Any more details on the tower and top? Thanks.

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Well if you need the tower to collapse flat (for boatlift canopy or maybe garage door) then new dim does stick up a bit. Also I personally do not like the horizontal cross bars because they block vision, however the board racks for horizontal tube are much cheaper.

[snibbornairb]

I was looking for some pics of the boat and was suprised to see how few i have. I will try to find a couple in the ole archives. I had to modify the factory bimini to accomodate the rear legs. Its not the best set up but custom bimini's are not too cheap.
The front wishbone touches the windshield on about the outside 1/4, I would say, no where near the pass through.
I think I only paid like $1100 for it. But I did notice that Wakeside no longer sells them on their website.
The company was good to work with, although it did take a bit longer than they originally told me.
I'll try to post a couple more pics soon.

[sybrmike]

Mikey (& others) - Did a little more looking at the Coex. I actually like that it's a mass produced molded "beater" - no need to dive into the high end stuff for rookies. but do you think it'll be too squirrely for us learners? Lots of related experience, but no direct wakesurfing. I'm afraid if we start with a "log" to learn on, we'll be bored by the end of the first day. However, they don't teach driver's ed in a Ferrari either for good reason. Again, kids are "grom" sized at 85 & 110 lbs, I'm the heaviest at 175, & the wife is a diplomatic 130ish (hey, I like sleeping in a warm bed).

Snib - What I meant to ask was any concerns with the front wishbone interfering with opening/closing the center windshield section? Looking closer at your pic, what I thought was a bimini mount to the front leg (like Titan's factory top) is a mirror mount - my old eyes finally saw the front top straps. Again, anything you can dig up would be appreciated. Hope the stringer repair is going well...

[87SunSportMikeyD]

Yes if you put the front leg mounts in the wrong position it is possible to block the windshield from opening. I have seen other people do it. Big time bummer. Also consider that any older factory bimini top is pretty wide. If you make the tower legs wider apart (both rear and front legs) you have a better chance of having a well-functioning bimini (read: doesn't hit the tower and need adjustment). Also if the back legs are wider, someone can sit on the gunwale without the tower leg getting in their way. I think I have pics of my mounting positions closeup in my supra gallery. The front ones we put outside the bow grab rail.

[87SunSportMikeyD]

I think there are two sizes of Coex, browse around wakeworlds surf guide. Fins help keep it under control, the stock find should be good size. I am 165 and consider the 5'6" broadcast (the smaller size) to be too big for me. I am 5'8" or so. I dunno I guess it's a tough call. Coex may be just a bit small for you.

On the other hand, my other board is an Inland Surfer 4skim 4'5". I can ride it, fiance 130 can ride it just fine, and lighter/smaller riders have done great on it too. However, my board is pretty squirly, since it only has a 1.2" fin. I have had bigger riders on it, but mostly guys around 210 who have a little trouble with it. They are still able to drop the rope, but when you goof up you slip out of the pocket easier and lose the wave.