Is surf select worth it?

[SierraWave]

We have it on our G23. Seldom used, leaked once and replaced, its also good to have an open dialog with the driver because it requires steering effort to properly get the wave dialed as the wave switches, however, I am an option guy so I say get it.



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[charlesml3]

There are a few of you that keep focusing on "switching sides." That's one of the least used features in my experience after a full season with Surf Select. Here's how we mostly use it:

1) The NSS. It's really nice to be able to adjust the NSS from 0 through 5 from back there. It lets you experiment with different wave heights and lengths. On the G and GS boats, you can also adjust NCRS.

2) Boat speed. Again, it's great to be able to see how the wave responds to a tenth or two either way.

3) Radio volume.

4) Switching Sides - I don't understand this "requires steering effort" part. It would require steering effort no matter who switched it, driver or rider. And as far as "percentage of riders that can switch sides is so minimal" goes, that's just silly. Almost anyone can with some practice.

[GMLIII]

All good points Charles. While I was learning to switch sides this past summer having the ability to make the wave switch on my wrist was much easier then yelling to the driver during my learning curve phase.

[cedarcreek216]

Charles, we aren’t going to agree, but that’s okay. That’s why it’s an option. I don’t agree with anyone other than the driver making changes to the boat while under way, and no one will convince me otherwise. A good driver will get the wave setup how the rider wants it without a problem. You make it seem like you can’t surf without it, not sure how you made it before your Nautique.


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[GMLIII]

". A good driver will get the wave setup how the rider wants it without a problem. You make it seem like you can’t surf without it, not sure how you made it before your Nautique. "

I will state my point then I will quit commenting. If a surfer wants to switch surf sides, he has to signal or yell to driver to switch surf waves. I don't care how good the driver is, it still required what I just stated above. The surf select option give the surfer the ability to do this which is far easier.
I'm guessing from your current boat, 2013 210 that it does not have a option to switch surf wakes so maybe you have never thought much about the feature.

[cedarcreek216]

Don’t have it on of course in our 2013 and won’t have it on our 2018 either. I don’t want anyone other than the driver control operations of the boat. Call me scared or overprotective, but that’s just how I feel. Yelling at the driver or a giving a hand signal is not that big of a deal to me. I would not want anyone having control of my gas pedal or brake in my car, why would it be acceptable on my boat?


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[GMLIII]

Don’t have it on of course in our 2013 and won’t have it on our 2018 either. I don’t want anyone other than the driver control operations of the boat. Call me scared or overprotective, but that’s just how I feel. Yelling at the driver or a giving a hand signal is not that big of a deal to me. I would not want anyone having control of my gas pedal or brake in my car, why would it be acceptable on my boat?


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Understandable. We both march on with or without the option. Enjoy your 2018.

[charlesml3]

> You make it seem like you can’t surf without it, not sure how you made it before your Nautique.

Complete nonsense.

> I would not want anyone having control of my gas pedal or brake in my car, why would it be acceptable on my boat?

Really? And your car doesn't have Cruise Control and your boat doesn't have speed control either?

[cedarcreek216]

Charles, yes I have cruise on our boat and our cars, but the driver is, and will always be, the only one that controls it. I'm not sure what kind of parallel you are trying to make here. The driver having automated control over a vehicle and being able to change said control is completely different than a passenger having control over said control.

The OP asked for opinions, and I gave mine. as GMLIII said, we do or don't get the option and move on. I purchase from the largest volume Nautique dealer and they said they see this option chosen on a 50/50 basis. I got the options on our boat they said would hurt resale for them when we trade it in in a couple of years and we moved on.

[Kmayotte]

Switching sides is so much fun. Here's a vid of a few back and forths using the remote: https://vimeo.com/236981245

Although the remote is an absolute piece of junk (I'm on my 4ith in 1 summer) and setting up a Pebble watch is an act of congress (not to mention they're out of business and no longer manufactured) so good luck with that in a few years.

It's a joke Nautique hasn't come out with a remote that controls all surf settings and doesn't leak water. I believe Nautique is too focused on adding more options that don't work well and will be defunct in 10 years (Go Pro connectivity) rather than perfecting and improving the options that already exist.

Also I would consider myself very proficient at transferring with the remote but it was MUCH MUCH harder to transfer with the driver making the switch but it was fun to try and lead to a lot of laughs and detailed count downs.

[charlesml3]

Yea, getting a 2016 setup with the Pebble is a pain. You have to run the older version of the firmware and app. 2017s and 2018s use the latest and greatest and setup is really simple.

What's really disappointing here is the complete lack of anything from Nautique. They don't talk about the Pebble, they don't talk about anything coming up to replace it. So I'm hedging my bets. I bought 5 of them on eBay and managed to not lose even one this past summer.

The Pebble really adds a lot to the surfing experience. It's just terrific to be able to bump the speed a tenth or two and adjust the NSS. And I like being able to adjust the volume on the stereo. I always surf to music. At first, all my surf buddies were reluctant to take the watch. After they saw me tweaking the boat as we went they all changed their mind. It's to the point now that nobody wants to surf WITHOUT it anymore.

One of my other favorite uses of the Pebble is when we're just floating. I can be 10 feet off the back of the boat sitting on a noodle and adjust the stereo. There's no downside to the Surf Select option unless you consider the $800 price a hard stop.

- Charles

[SierraWave]

I don’t have a pebble, maybe I should buy one!? The switchable part of the stock remote is fine but as a driver I like the interaction, as a surfer I like to work as a team. Bottom line is enjoy and have fun with it or without.


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[charlesml3]

I don’t have a pebble, maybe I should buy one!? The switchable part of the stock remote is fine but as a driver I like the interaction, as a surfer I like to work as a team. Bottom line is enjoy and have fun with it or without.


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Might as well. They're only like $35 on eBay. That's not much money to put into it.

Note that on a 2016, the setup is someone tricky. It has to use the older firmware an app.

-Charles

[Nolealum]

Assume there isn't a way to update a 2014 to accept Pebble right? Thanks.

[charlesml3]

Assume there isn't a way to update a 2014 to accept Pebble right? Thanks.

I don't think so. I believe the first year that introduced that functionality was 2016.

-Charles