Wakesurfing behind a 2002 SANTE

[youngunz]

Hey yah'll,

Looking for a little input regarding wakesurfing behind a 2002 SANTE. Some time ago I purchased a 5' Ronix Koal Illuminati and for the life of my friends and I we have yet to be able to let go of the rope. We are fairly strong riders when it comes to wakeboarding, however we are struggling with maintaining the momentum behind the boat.

Most often, in the rear compartments (port or starboard) we have 5-600# of ballast, with an additional 5 members on board (bow/stern) to help weight down the desired side. I know this is likely still not enough weight from what I have read in numerous threads but I figured we would at least be able to ride without the rope.

We have run a range of speeds, any where between 9-12mph. Rider weight ranges from 165-200#.

The wave is not great, but its not horrible when I compare it to videos on youtube of riders able to wakesurf on a similar koal.

Is the board to long?

Should I be increasing boat speed?

Other than adding additional weight, does anyone have any helpful solutions???

Thanks,
Brandon

[Braderckenbrack]

Currently have a 2001 Super Air, we run 750# in the rear, 400# on the floor of the side you are surfing, 360# in the ski locker, and an integrated 550# sac as full as we can get it under the bow seats. We all have different boards from a 5ft to a 5.5ft and we are running 10.9-11.3 mph to get the best push. Most common problem that I see when I talk to others that are having troubles is that they don't seem to be paying enough attention to how the boat is weighted. My 2001 seems to be fairly sensitive to any changes in weight. I am constantly having to tell people where to sit and not to move when we get out. The pocket isn't huge on our surf either, unless you ride goofy, then it seems better because of the backwards prop rotation; I think the 2002's were the same rotation. Are you running perfect pass or zero off as well? I know when we didn't, if the driver wasn't religious with the speed the surf push was gone. Not sure if that is any help or not, just what we have experienced.
-Brad

[hondaprlud]

I'm not familiar with that board and too lazy right now too look it up, so I can't speak to that. But it sounds like you need more weight up front. That will help lengthen the pocket. In my 2004 SANTE (same hull) We almost exclusively setup for port side surfing. We would fill the port and center ballast, starboard empty. We also had 360lbs of lead weights (120lb in the rear on the port tank, and the rest up front slightly port. I also had a 750lb fatsack that I'd put on the port seat toward the back.

Run about 10-10.5 mph.

I'm 180lbs and ride a IS sweet spot.

Also make sure you are riding in deep enough water. 15ft at a minimum.

[youngunz]

Thanks for all of the great advice. Sounds like the most important step to take will be to invest in additional weight. I have thought about it, yet was hoping I could manage without.

Braderckenbrack, I definitely agree that passenger placement has a huge effect on the shape on the wake. I do have PP so that helps a lot to keep a consistent speed. What I have found with my current set-up is that the pocket is tiny!!! As Hondaprlud states, additional weight in the bow will lengthen the pocket.

Looks like I will be finding more ballast and friends for this long weekend up at the cottage.

Would anyone know if the number of fins, and fin location will help with board speed? I had thought by removing the two outside fins and leaving only the center fin I would have better speed, effectively transitioning the board into more of a skim style.

Also, anybody have input on the Hewitt 4400 Hydraulic lift. I am looking at a used (3yrs) model for a good price so I can leave the boat at the cottage??

Thanks

[dscoff]

It can be frustrating, but experimentation is key; it took us a few months of moving weight and trying speeds to get things dialed, and we still don't have one set speed. Once you nail it though, the wave is fantastic!
Our boat are virtually identical (I have an '03 210) and here's what works for us: 750lb bag in place of port hard tank, FlyHigh centre sac full in place of the centre hard tank, 650lb bow sac under the seats, and depending on how many adults in the boat, 0, 1 or 2 400lb sacs on the rear bench and port seat. Now that said, you don't NEED to pull the centre tank etc, I did it when integrating the bow sac. I find the key with our hull is even weight. When we first got the boat we were piling tons in the rear which yielded a massively high wave, but with no length. After much research and playing around, we moved the weight forward (don't forget there's already 900lbs of motor back at the transom!), sped up a little and voila!
Our speed ranges between 9.5 and 10.5 depending on the rider and board. My wife (145lbs) rides a Hyperlite Broadcast but prefers slightly slower because she's working on learning to pump back in from far back; if I'm riding the Byerly Volt I like about 10-10.3 and my friends new Ronix Koal Powertail 10.3-10.5 (it's awesomely fast!).
Distribute, experiment, enjoy!

[macpres]

I have a 2002 SAN, we don't have any trouble surfing both sides, i have bow bag full at 4-500#, Ski Locker at 400#, and the surf side rear sack full, 750#, we can surf with 2 of us in the boat, or 10. Both sides are very good, we are at speeds of 11.2 or so. Anything shallower than 14' deep in the lake will completely wash out the surf. We ride all types of boards, i have a Ronix Koal Fish 5'6 and i am 6'2, 200lbs.

Its a great surf wake once you get it. Have fun!

[surroundsound64]

I have 750 on either side and only 375 in the ski locker. With my wife and 2 kids (totaling 200 lbs) I can easily surf with no rope. I think weight placement may be your issue.

[lucky7t]

Also besides all the extra weight a few surfing tips...

Try to lean into the wave.
Try to put pressure on the ball of your front foot.

This cuts into the wave

I had an 03 and never ran all the weight mentioned above. The pocket was short but I still surfed and eventually learned how to cut up and down the wave.

[markj]

My advice is to just make sure your rub rail is at or under the water. If it isn't, you need more weight or better placement. We run our 05 to just below the top of the gunnel.

[surroundsound64]

My advice is to just make sure your rub rail is at or under the water. If it isn't, you need more weight or better placement. We run our 05 to just below the top of the gunnel.

That's pretty deep. Mine, sitting idle, lists enough to submerge the respective side of the swim platform.

[youngunz]

Thanks for all of the great input...I am heading up to the cottage tonight for a long weekend so I hope to be able find the appropriate weight distribution. With the set-up I have at the moment my rear swim platform is also submerged on the respective side.

Any thought on the number of fins..1 center? 2 outside? All three??

[markj]

That's pretty deep. Mine, sitting idle, lists enough to submerge the respective side of the swim platform.

Yeah, I'm talking about when we're underway surfing only. Not while we're idling of course. ;-)

[simplysanj]

I have a 2002 SAN TE also (Python), this is the wake we get with the following:
- Stock center fill
- Stock starboard rear
- 280 pounds starboard rear wedge sack
- about 750 pounds in a 40 inch flyhigh sack just behind driver
- 600 pounds in front starboard for lenght (60"L x 26"W x 10"H)

Listing the boat portside has a very similar wake but a little messier. Port side needs the whole setup whereas the starboard only needs any combo. In this picture besides myself driving there was only one lady friend at about 120lbs and a toddler around 25lbs.

Good luck!
Sanj

Edit: rotated image so horizon is flat

[Jono]

Wakesurfing behind a 2002 SANTE

Lots of fat sac talk here. Should be a little more skills talk. I'm 180 and can go rope less with only 400 in the rear locker, 380 in ski locker, and 400 on the side with only my wife driving. I'm also riding a board not much bigger than a potato chip.
The wave on a 210 is average at best. The sweet spot is tiny and it's incredibly easy to fall off the back. It doesn't matter that you're strong wakeboarders. The difference between success and failure is splitting hairs in the realm of technique - moving your weight around on your board a couple inches could do it.
Everything about your setup sounds fine. Just keep at it. It's frustrating to learn in the beginning for anybody until they get the feel.


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