Ballast for wakesurfing?

[bgunterman]

Hey guys I have a question about ballast. We are playing around wakesurfing and I wanted to know if anyone had suggestions on ballast. My boat is 1999 Pro Air Nautique, 5.8 L GT 40, DD. 450 lb Stock ballast, 725 sac and additional 600 lb sac. My boards are Inland Surfer "yellow loogey" and a Hyperlite Broadcast 4' 6".

What do you think?

[wakeboardin2k4]

RE: Ballast for wakesurfing?

That sounds like a pretty good set up. I have an 86 nautique 2001 and I run 540 lbs on the port side, with 500lbs in the rear then under the bow on the left side an extra 100lbs. Then we have one or two people sitting on the port side as well.

Since your boat is obv bigger than mine, with an open bow, but its a similar hull design. I would try and get like 250 lbs up in the bow on which ever side you surf.

This is a picture of our set up and our wake

[bgunterman]

wakeboard2k4 Thanks man!! I'll give it shot. It's nice to know I've got a good set up. Looks like your wake is pretty good. Are you able to throw the rope and free ride?

[wakeboardin2k4]

Our wake is alright, i would like it to have a little more power. Because our nautique has a right hand rotation and I am surfing on the left side of the boat the wake is a little weak. I just started wake surfing a few weeks ago so when we throw the rope i only make it about 300 yards before falling out of the wave. Here is a picture of me surfing.

[wakeboardin2k4]

The other thing is that im riding a yellow loogy and im 180lbs. I have a friend whos 160 and is able to throw the rope and ride for however long

[bgunterman]

Do you think if you had more power the wake would be bigger? I have a LH rotation. The yellow loogey is rated for a rider 200lbs even for a small wake. I know what you mean about just starting so am I.

[wakeboardin2k4]

I think if i had more power the wake would be bigger and i think there would be a lot bigger of a pocket for you to surf in because of how the water is moving. So yes i think more more power would increase wake size, wake power, and the amount of curl the wake has.

[AzWakeBrdr540]

bill I ran both back tanks full with a 600 on top then a 350 in the bow and a 350 next to the doghouse and the wake was pretty fun I rode the broadcast back then too

[bgunterman]

Hey AzWakeBrDr540,
Thanks for the reply!!! It just occured to me that I should have contacted you. Were you able to free ride with that set up? How fast were you going? If you remember. I'm sure you read my bag set up, so i'll have to find something for the bow. The 600 and 725 lb bags I have are long. The boat is running great! My kids are learning to wakeboard and having such a great time.

[AzWakeBrdr540]

Bill I ran a little on the slower side I think around 9.5-10, i was able to freeride just fine. With your bag setup I would run the 600 in the rear locker and the 700 next to the doghouse then have some people sit up front to make a longer pocket. glad to hear everything is going good. Ill try to find some surfing pics from last year.

[fixintowakeboard]

Re: Ballast for wakesurfing?

Your weight set-up should be fine. I have a 99 Super Air V-drive and the wake is really nice. I ride starboard side though b/c I'm goofy foot. I have a lot less weight in my boat then your setup, only appx. 800# total.. so that should compensate for mine being a v-drive.

I also ride a lower quality board, O'brien Alias, then your Inland Surfer. It took me at least 8 times out to finally free ride my board. I was starting to get frustrated, but then I started getting the hang of it. It'll come, be patient... I don't think it's your set-up though.

Maybe you might want to try starboard side surfing with the boat being LH rotation?? Here are some pics from last weekend

[wakecrashin]

here my 07 210 stock ballast only and 4 people.

[bgunterman]

nice to know my set up is good. Nice wakes on the last 2 posts. Thanks to everyone and keep it comin!!