G23 Surf Wave Length

[st68]

I'm surprised the X23 did so poorly. Our choice came down to the G23 or X23 and I've seen some pretty good videos of the X23 surf wake (although we went with the G mainly because of wakeboard wake).

I do want to caution on how the wave lengths are judged. This was not scientific and we attempted to be consistent but there are still variables that could affect this. The X23 was one of the most popular boats of the event, the reviews are really good and the comments were very good as well. I think it surprised people in a good way. The G23, Supra SE and the X23 were the three most popular boats. There should not have been such a difference in the lengths on the X23... there might have been ballast that leaked out or there might have been a Gen 2 setting that was off unintentionally or something else.... but we wanted to be unbiased and report the measurement that was taken even though the difference is unusual as no other boat had a major difference like that.

[st68]

Can you tell us what your NCRS and surf vert/ramp settings were?

NSS was 0 and NCRS 3

[MLA]

I heard at least one boat brand rep'd was in pure 100% stock ballast form. If they where all loaded with extra ballast as others where, how do you think that would effect the wave length results?

[st68]

I heard at least one boat brand rep'd was in pure 100% stock ballast form. If they where all loaded with extra ballast as others where, how do you think that would effect the wave length results?

Yes there were at least 3 boats using stock ballast at the event. As boat making for wakesurfing progresses "stock" ballast is changing with certain makers too and reflects more weight or different placement of weight than years past. Good question on the more weight... I would think more weight would get a longer wave if the speed was increased but I am one who prefers to see it rather than just say it!! This topic has created a little bit of a stir which is not necessarily a bad thing but I will be out with my G23 this weekend and do some additional measuring using stock ballast, my additional ballast, varying speeds, NSS/NCRS settings, etc.

[MLA]

Where these measurements also taken with each boat at the same speed, as speed certainly effects the length, but some boat wave may suffer at one speed while others hpld steady. How was this across the board speed decided upon?

[Dandy21]

I heard at least one boat brand rep'd was in pure 100% stock ballast form. If they where all loaded with extra ballast as others where, how do you think that would effect the wave length results?

I do think that these comparison events should really be set up with factory ballast, features. By boats being set up with additional ballast does show people the potential, but it is not truly showing what they can get "out of the box". I do think the companies that chose to feature their boats with stock set up have some large cajones.

[st68]

Where these measurements also taken with each boat at the same speed, as speed certainly effects the length, but some boat wave may suffer at one speed while others hpld steady. How was this across the board speed decided upon?

The event motivates the makers to show their best waves... each boat set up does better at different speeds... we wanted them to show their best wave and however they wanted to do that was fine with us. We measured at the end of a surf session with the same riders in the boat through the whole two days... the driver knew they were being measured and allowed to be at their optimal speeds, settings, etc. Plus we measured regular, goofy, mellow and steep and took the longest measurement of all. If a driver tried to go 12.5 when they were going 11.4 the whole time then we didn't allow the 12.5 to measure because they never went that speed when surfers were behind the boat... wanted that part to be as level as possible. At the end of the day we thought it would be interesting to see the measurements and were surprised of the variance. The length of a wave does not necessarily dictate the best wave, the best wave is subjective with all kinds of preferences added into it... and we are not saying a certain wave could not be longer.... we really wanted to measure in the same environment with similar weather, water depth, etc. Having 10 2015 boats present in one place long enough to do this was certainly unique and doesn't happen every day!! It is interesting the see the differences.

[Tallredrider]

For Southern Surfest... The G23 was going 11.4 with stock ballast plus 800 lbs in the rear, 400 lbs mid boat and 300 extra in the bow. All boats were measured at the speed/set up as when it was pulling the surfers during the event.

The 800 pounds in the rear...was that 400 in each side, or just one side, or 800 each side? And is the 400 mid boat and 300 front weight all on one side or right in the middle? I think NYRyan suggested that his wave is better when he lists the boat.

I think that it is interesting that some guys came stock, but certain 'stock' configurations vary widely. A stock Nautique has lots of room for life vests and boards, but a stock Centurion with Ramfill has virtually no storage. Or a Malibu with the plug and play 900 pound sacks has zero rear storage.

[st68]

The 800 pounds in the rear...was that 400 in each side, or just one side, or 800 each side? And is the 400 mid boat and 300 front weight all on one side or right in the middle? I think NYRyan suggested that his wave is better when he lists the boat.

I think that it is interesting that some guys came stock, but certain 'stock' configurations vary widely. A stock Nautique has lots of room for life vests and boards, but a stock Centurion with Ramfill has virtually no storage. Or a Malibu with the plug and play 900 pound sacks has zero rear storage.

It is on each side, so 2 400's in the rear locker, one on each side, mid boat is under 1 bag under each side seat mid boat (b/t captains chair and rear lockers) and then the same in the front, 1 bag under each side bow seat. I personally run 2 750's in the rear and 800 in the bow with nothing in the mid seat, in the bow I have 2 bags under the 2 bow seats and 400 lbs of lead I keep under the bow cushion so it is all out of view. You are right, even in the rear lockers I still have a lot of storage. Yes I have not seen another boat with the storage of the G with extra ballast. I know a few people who love their wave with the G listed... that is great we have the option... I have found the G likes to be favored on the regular side to clean up the wave a little bit.... I do my rear regular ballast completely full and the goofy side 3/4 full.... the goofy wave is still great and it is cleans up the regular side as well.

[nyryan2001]

Yep, I call it an 60/40 lean.... Very slight lean to the surf side gives you absolutely terrific wave shape and quality. Crisp, firm, clean and fast.