1991 SN Wakesurfing - Is it possible?

[Mike185]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum. My family has a 1991 ski nautique on Lake Cayuga (upstate ny, anyone else from the finger lakes?). Anyway I've always been a skier but I would really like to try wakesurfing. Has anyone had any success wakesurfing behind one of these boats or something similar? How much ballast was required? What was your set up? THANKS!

Mike

[hyperwake]

I know it is possible because there is a guy here locally with a 90 Ski nautique closed bow that I see surfing all the time. Unfortunatelly I wont see him until this summer to ask him about his setup.

[Mikeski]

They make L tanks that go on the side/behind the motor box. Should work fine, goofy foot is likely to be a better wake. Weighting the boat in the center is key for all wakesurfing, if the weight is too far back the wake will wash out. On my V drive I put a 500# sack in the center and another in the bow.

[bradb]

On my '94, we ride with a 250lb sack beside the engine, a 500 behind the engine (in front of the back seat) and another 250lb sack on the back seat. It doesn't compare with my buddies v-drive, but it is certainly rideable.

[Mike185]

So would a longer wakesurfer be a better board for a smaller wake or is it better to use a smaller board? What do you ride behind your 94'?

Thanks

[bradb]

I have the longer Hyperlite Broadcast, and it works well. My logic was the same as yours when I bought mine (longer = easier), but I havent really tried any other boards behind it so I couldn't tell you if it ended up being better or not...
Once you get the hang of it, you can do it with much less wake. I can ride with only the 500lb sack in the boat, but it is easier/more fun with the extra 2x250's. You just have to be carefull turning around to pick up the rider when he falls, or you will get a dump of water over the bow...