G23 Additional Ballast?

[Dandy21]

Greetings Nautique experts and fanatics. We picked up our 2014 G23 in August and being from Minnesota, we were only able to get about 20 hours on her before putting her up for the winter. I will be getting her back next week and hope to be on our chilly open water by next weekend.

We really like the boat and are quite pleased with how easy it is to set up with NSS for surfing – which is what we use our boat for about 80% of the time. Last year, we did notice that by providing a slight list (off set by +/- 200-300 lbs) we would get a slight improvement on the “push” of the wave, especially when riding port. I have seen some mention on here of different ballast that has been added over factory on the NSS equipped boats and am curious what you all have experienced. At this point, I am not looking to plumb anything into the factory set up as I have concerns with it complicating the set up through the LINC2 screen. I am thinking about getting 2 sacs and 2 portable pumps (1 set up for each side) which would allow us to fill one side while draining the other. We are not looking to produce a comp. level wave, just trying to increase the "push" and pocket a little to make it easier for new riders. Keeping as much storage as possible and minimizing side switch time is important to us.

Any information/suggestions on weight (400,750…) that has worked well is appreciated. Also, is the weight better in the rear or on the sides under the seat? Has anyone found any sacs that work well to add weight in the front storage under the seats? How important is the weight up front for the overall wave?

Thanks in advance for any ideas, feedback and suggestions. I really like to learn from others experiences when possible.

[trip33]

Dandy - we use a 400lb fly high fat sac on the port side and all factory ballasts full. Even when it is just driver and 1 rider that small sac offsets driver weight on starboard side and prop rotation enough for the port wave to have plenty of push. Usually NCRS 4 and NSS 3. Still plenty of room in locker for storage too. I am sure you could go bigger but this setting allows me to switch for goofy rider with only a push of the button and the wave on other side be just as clean with plenty of push. More people in the boat is just gravy. Now if I could only perfect my transfer.......

[Dandy21]

Trip - Thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it. I have a couple of questions for you.
1: Did you plumb in the extra sac or use a portable pump?
2: Even with the 400lb offset, am I reading it correctly that you can still switch sides and get a decent goofy wave with NSS? The added offside weight doesn't affect the goofy wave much?
3: Do you have this in the port rear locker or under the seats - just forward of the locker?

Thanks in advance for your reply. I am happy to hear this as I really didn't want to go much over the 400lbs as the larger sacs just take longer to fill.

[trip33]

Dandy

1) just use the portable tsunami pump. By the time you fill the factory bags you can have this one filled too.
2) you are reading correct. Somehow all of my buddies are goofy and I am regular. The wave is equivalent on the goofy side and possibly a little better b/c if the extra weight even though it is on the port side
3) i put it in the port rear locker and the wave is plenty long. We are riding 8-10ft back from the platform. I am about 200lbs and ride a skim style board so I need all the push I can get.

Let me know how it works out.

[swankster]

If there is only two of us in the boat we throw a 750 on the floor and the extra push is notable. All the heavy stuff is is stored on the port side of the boat, probably 50 lbs, and 300 lbs of lead.