aftermarket wedge system

[stinky_1]

this first year I plan to do mechanical maintenance and enjoy the boat. I may try to buff the hull up. I just want it to be reliable and work.

After this season I will see if I need to do the stringers, or just replace the floor and carpet.

I will be yanking the tank out though and seeing about mounting that wedge on the back.

I am also looking for a tower since those are a definite must have item

[jet]

I feel like a kid at Christmas again.

[stinky_1]

so I have a bunch of the material I need now. and am getting started on the bottom part of the wedge

There are a few things I need to get from someone first.

The piece of 1/4 stainless I found is only about 22" long. I am thinking the real wedge is closer to 24". If anyone has any idea how long it really is, please let me know. (edit: Its 21.5" wide)

I still have not picked up my boat, so I cant do any specific measurements for the sunsport. I need to know how far the stock platform sticks out from the transom to the rear lip. I am guessing about 16", but an exact measurement would be nice.

The other thing I need to know is the distance from the bottom of the swim platform to the bottom of the hull.

Once I have these measurements I can get the legs all figured out and do that side of things. The mounting bracket will have to wait till I have the boat in my possession and can actually get the rest figured out with it

[jet]

Im on it. Here is some close up pic's and Im getting measured right now.

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=88669

[stinky_1]

sounds good. Once I get those measurements I will get the legs and wedge side finished. Then its just down to getting the mounting bracket figured out. I want to wait till I have my boat here though so I can see how exactly I want to do it.

I was thinking about how that wedge surface will be shorter than I wanted. This means I wont have maximum down force, but it may become a safety feature. This way I wont be able to rip the back of my boat apart.

Ill make sure to take pics and write down measurements. At the end of the day I dont know how many of these I will be able to reproduce. I have enough material to make one, but not enough to make more. Once I know how much I have used I can get a material sheet made out, and get some rough costs for it. You could always take it to any welding shop and get them to build it as well. For now I am going to worry about getting this one built, then go from there.

Stay tuned for updates over the next couple days.

[jet]

OK, the blade is 21" 1/2" wide and the supports are 9" apart. I had him measure the base plate at the attchment point, its 8" tall.

[stinky_1]

wow, I would have thought the blade part would be longer than that. Looks like my 22" length will be enough there.

Thank you for all those measurements.

The biggest one I need now then is the distance from the back of the boat to the outer edge of the platform. This will end up being the maximum leg length for the wedge so that it stays under the platform when it is in the UP position.

Ill get to work on the rest tonight.

[jet]

Man stinky you live UP NORTH!! You need to put that wedge on the front of your boat for a ice breaker..A!! lmao

[stinky_1]

I expect the ice to be off the water in just over 1 month. Ill be in the water within a week of the ice coming off. I am hoping to get my boat soon. But the weather is playing a big role in that trip. The sooner I get it here the sooner I can get the whole thing installed and completed.

Once I have the final product on and tested I will throw some before and after pics of the wake. tHIS WAy it can be all packaged up in a way that everyone can decide if its something they want to do on their boat.

[stinky_1]

So, here is an update:

I had to pull my tank out today so I could replace my rudder. It broker right off. While I have the tank off I am going to build my wedge and get it mounted. I have rode behind the boat and know I need to do something to get more wake anyway, so this is a must do.

It looks like the hull is reinforced where the middle swim grid support is. I am going to put my bracket on both sides of that. I measure it to be almost 2" thick there all the way up. Should hold up nicely.

More pics to come in a couple days when its complete.