Ballast selection for my 2009 230?

[wakefan]

Been having fun learning to surf on my 2009 230, but it has become apparent that I need more weight.

I have the stock ballast, 2 750 sacs hard plumbed in the rear lockers, and a nauticurl wake shaper.

I was almost able to go ropeless when we had 4 people in the boat, and I can't even get close with 1 or 2 in the boat.

Last night, my buddy who's an experienced surfer was able to go ropeless(with just me driving the boat), but it was alot harder than it should have been given his skill set. We were max ballast, plus nauticurl. Speed 10.3 was were it finally seemed to work for him, but the sweet spot was frustratingly short.

I'm thinking I definitely need something in the bow, and maybe some extra in the middle to back of boat as well. I'd like to be able to surf it with just a driver, obviously more people would only make this better.

I've been through all the possible configurations in my head, and it's dizzying... I'd prefer to not hard plumb the additional sacs, but am open to it. I'd prefer to not use too much of lead type weights, due to the boat staying on a lift, but have considered 250lbs on port side to counteract driver.

Does anybody have tested tactics that just work?

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated!

[wakefan]

Anyone? I added a 675 triangular fat sac upfront, with full stock, plus 2x750lbs full sacs in the back. Plus the nauticurl shaper. Flattened out the wave, and was worse to try and surf behind. Moved the 675lbs to the back. Better, but no mango. Not enough push. Only driver in the boat. Have 300lbs of leadwake.com bags to try opposite driver, and bought the huge mega wakeshaper.

Surfing on a Doomswell El Jefe, which should be more than adequate.

Any other ideas? Please?

[hal2814]

I just bought a 2011 230. I’ve only been out twice but I was very happy with it so I’ll let you know what we did. Bone stock I can get something surfable. Full belly plus full on one side listed to surf. I can get to ropeless with just that but it’s a smallish pocket. Add a wake shaper and it’s not really better than listed, but easier to switch sides since both hard tanks are full. Next time out I added 2 x 800lb bags piggybacked in the rear and the wave got huge but it was hard to keep speed so we added a 650lb locker sack to the front walkway. That was incredible. I have an under bow bag ordered to take the place of the locker bag so I can permanently plumb it in. 2011 models don’t have a ski locker to add a bag to so underseat is the best option. For what it’s worth, we ran 10.6mph. The wave didn’t even clean up for us until 10.4. We also ran a variety of boards from a gigantic liquid force rocket to some smaller skim styles.

Good luck with getting the boat dialed in. I’m loving mine so far. It was choppy when I took this but it should give you a rough idea of what we’re working with for comparison.

[wakefan]

Thanks Hal! I don't think I am that much off what you are doing. Stock + 2 750's + 1 675 + wake shaper. Somehow it just isn't happening. The wake looks like it should be good, it just doesn't have enough push. I've had smaller more experienced riders go ropeless, but there's just not quite enough push there for this old fat guy. Which wake shaper are you using? I do have 300lbs in 50lb steel shot bags I put in today, and like I mentioned a bigger wake shaper on the way.

BTW, I'm just down the road from you in Granbury! Thanks for the help!

[hal2814]

I’m using the Liquid Force shaper but I don’t think it’s better or worse than any of the others I’ve used. When I wasn’t getting the push I wanted in my old boat (Super Sport) I listed it instead of using the shaper. The wave looked worse but had a ton more push. You may try that before throwing more weight at the problem. Also check your water depth. Anything less than 20 feet significantly impacts the wave.

[wakefan]

I haven't tried just full on listing it yet. That'll be next if the new shaper doesn't do it.

My friend has the LF shaper like you also, and it has ALOT bigger surface area than the Nauticurl. His wake on his 220 looks as big or bigger than the wake on my 230, and he just has stock ballast right now. So I figured if he's getting a bigger wake with the bigger shaper, then maybe I'll try the mega version.

Depthwise I think I'm ok, we stay pretty close to the channel markers and the water is always more than 20' there. Thanks again for the help. I'm glad you are enjoying your boat! Gives me hope I'll get mine dialed in also!

[swatguy]

Way too many variables here , but the top two that come to mind are the lack of bow ballast. You need to get weight in the bow. That triangle should be ok fpr
now. Pretty common weight scenario is weight in the bow lengthens the surfable pocket weight in rear steepens and gives you more push. you have enough weight with you now that going ropeless shouldn’t be an issue if you’re a capable surfer.

2nd is the placement of the Nauticurl. Take some photos of your wake without a surfer and where you have the nauticurl positioned . I’ve found even with a nauticurls /mission delta / etc a slight list to the surf side gets you more performance. Try adjusting the Nauticul position , pull your hydro gate all the way back , and dump 1/3 of the non surf side 750. 10.2-11mph is the sweet spot.

[wakefan]

Swatguy, Thanks for those suggestions! When I loaded up the bow with the 675 sac, The wake did get flatter and longer as expected. It also lost alot of push. I agree I should have everything I produce a surfable wake, but I am new to all this, and the *capable surfer* part of the equation is no doubt a work in progress.

I did order the 300lbs of steel shot to correct what appeared to be a list *away* from the surf side when it was there was just 2 of us(1 in the boat 1 surfing), due to weight of driver. Haven't had a chance to try that yet, but the weight is in the boat. I did try reducing the weight a little on the non surf side, it didn't seem to help, but I'll go for more list next time. And as suggested above I can always just ditch the surf gate and go full list and see what happens.

In a turn to surf side, it got better, and I almost felt like I could go ropeless if I(not so capable) could ever stay in one place. Hoping for the magic solution, but I guess I'll just keep trying to I stumble onto the sweet spot. At least it seems like I have the tools to get the job done, once I figure out how to use them. Thanks again for your input!

[AirNautiquer]

Sounds like you have everything you need.
Here is how I set up my 09 - 230..
- Full Factory ballast rear and front
- 750's in the rear and additional 650 in ski locker
- Nauticurl wake shaper (Try different placements) i usually set mine close to the bottom edge of the hull and give or take 6 inches from rear of boat.
- Speed is around 10.5 - 10.6
- Gate is positioned forward ramp mode.
- water depth where we surf is about 25-30 feet.

I messed around with this for a while just like you to find what works for me. I will say that when I started at beg. of summer i felt the sweet spot was very small and was having hard time moving around the wake. Now I am able to move all the way back on the wave and all the way forward, larger sweet spot.
Keep at it and have fun.

[kdonzi123]

I had a 2009 , we used 2 750 in the rear, a 650 under the seat and the SUCK GATE . The best place that worked the best was on the side of the hull even with the rear cleat
and as low as possible . Always had a clean wave and very steep. Our speed was 10.8 to 11.3 .

[wakefan]

Thanks ya'll. I'll keep working at it! I got the wakesurf edge mega in today. Wow is that thing huge!

[Brownrl44]

Thanks ya'll. I'll keep working at it! I got the wakesurf edge mega in today. Wow is that thing huge!

We have a 2012 230. I am running stock ballast with 500 lbs of lead shot bags. I fill the belly and surf side 100% and non-surf side 75%. 200lbs of lead bags are as far forward as possible under the seat in the bow and the rest evenly distributed under the stern seats. I save one 50 lb bag and move to a surf side seat. Hydro gate in the vert position.

I also have a homemade wake shaper I bought from a user on this site for $50 that we attach to the hull on the surf side. Works well.

Wave is big and clean with large sweet spot with 3 small kids and wife in the boat. I am 220 lbs and can surf without a rope. Board does make a difference for a bigger guy. I can’t surf on my kids board.

With more people it gets bigger (and longer if I seat them in the bow)


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[wakefan]

Thanks, hoping to put all the awesome feedback to use this weekend!

[ericchile]

2009 230 Here with Max's NSS system

Removed the factory tanks and went 1100s.

I fill the center factory tank. Fill surf side 100% and non surf side 75%.

If I only have 2 or 3 in the boat, then I consider filling a 750 fat sac next to the rear seats as well.

[wakefan]

Thanks Eric. I must be doing something wrong. I've tried all sorts of combinations, and I have all the equipment that should be required. I can't get a wave I can go ropeless on no matter what I try. I'm sure it's 90% my skill level, but at least it's fun trying to dial it in.

But you said something interesting about how you add more if it's only 2-3 of you. I'm usually only surfing with 2 of us. 1 driver plus rider. Maybe I'm just not putting enough weight in the boat. It seems like alot, but with only one person in the boat it's just not?

So far here's what I've been working with: stock(belly and rears) full. Aft locker 750's full. 300 lbs lead port side. 675 bow sac in various places. Nauticurl or Mega Edge Wakeshaper depending. I guess Ill figure it out eventually.