figured i would throw it out there for anyone building one of these themselves---i did some testing this weekend and 22 degrees seems to be the optimal angle for surf gates. i checked out some other threads and found the same results from others, and proved it myself this weekend on my boat. i had been running mine at about 35 degrees when i first built it, and dropping it down to 22 was a big difference in the amount of push i felt while surfing. i could ride WAY back and with just 1-2 pumps of the board i would be up at the platform almost.
for reference, i was running 650 in the bow, 800 port, 600 starboard, 5 people in the boat (~900lbs), surfing port side. "gate" dimensions are roughly 20" long, 15" high (wal-mart cutting board). do yourselves a favor and build one over the winter!
'88 Sunsport, 2250lbs ballast, automated surf system, home made surf exhaust, surf flap, ACME 913, Krypt 6.5 HLCD's, Perfect Pass Stargazer
2007 Centurion Typhoon to be upgraded this winter!