2003 SANTE SucGate V1.0

[core-rider]

I know there are a few of these out there now, but nothing really detailing where parts are available and how they went about building them step-by-step. I'm not much of a wakesurfer, but all my friends are getting lame/old and don't wakeboard as often so I figured I'd give this a try if for nothing else to make listing the boat a thing of the past. So here goes my SicGate V1.0 build!

I started out sourcing the parts from Amazon...
Suction cup... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cutting board...https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 In black of course to match the boat!

I drew out a simple shape onto cardboard based on what I'd seen others do. The gate is 10" tall x 8" wide and basically just followed the shape of the suction cup handle to design the brackets.






I went to Home Depot and got...
2 - 1/4" x 20 x 3" SS machine screws
2 - 1/4" x 20 SS Nylock nuts
2 - 1/4" SS flat washers
4 - #10 x 1" SS screws

I drilled some holes through the brackets and suction handle, ran the 3" screws through and bolted them in place. I then drilled 4 holes through the SucGate panel into the brackets and attached it with the 4 #10 screws. I also drilled some holes into the suction cup levers that I will later run a piece of cord through so it's easier to release the cups and make a lanyard to attach to the boat if the cups ever break loose.




In all I'm pleased with the final product. Once I get the lanyards made I'll take it out for testing. I think I've got about $38 tied up in this contraption so if it works as well as others I've seen I'll call it a success! I have a 750# sac on either side of the engine and a 1000# triangle sac in the bow, plus I could also play with the factory hard belly tank at about 300#. I don't really know how to weight it, but will just play with it till I get a wake that seems right.

[Paxdad]

Looks great!! I stopped attaching my lanyard to the boat and now have it on a bumper in the event that it should come loose. The bumper just sits on the rear seat. It would then just pull the bumper in with it and make it easy to find. Mine is made from marine plywood so it floats.


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[core-rider]

Yeah a friend was telling me to forget about the lanyard and make it float because his came off once and hit the boat. Guess a fender would work well and I just happen to have 2 spare I'm not using at the moment!


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[rlwagens]

I drilled small holes on each side to run zip ties through to attach halved pieces of pool noodle to mine so it would float. But I've also used mine all summer and it hasn't budged yet when attached.


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[prowake]

that lever is going to be extremely difficult to actuate in water.

you need to redesign it.

[Rauser]

What sheet material did you use?

I'm working on a similar design with a 20 deg angle.




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[Rauser]

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[core-rider]

that lever is going to be extremely difficult to actuate in water.

you need to redesign it.

It was hard to release when testing, but I drilled a hole in each lever and tied some paracord to them to make them easy to just pull on the cord and release the suction. Pushing it down is no issue.

[core-rider]

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I would suggest swapping that plastic handle suction cup of the aluminum handle version... I've heard others say they have issues getting them to hold under pressure. I guess the plastic flexes making the suction cups release.

[Rauser]

Thanks for the heads up on the plastic handles. I bought two of em. Hopefully it's not too late to exchange em.


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[core-rider]

Had a bit of time to test SucGate V1.0 today and I'd say it was worth the $40 and 3 hours spent so far... All of these shots are between 10.0-10.5 MPH in 18-21' deep water. 2500# was both rear 750 sacs full and the 1000# triangle in the bow full. 2000# I drained about half the bow sac and the wave looked much better I thought. This was just myself and 10yo daughter in the boat as well. I didn't get anytime on the wave today, but it looks much more promising than ever before!

2500# and no SucGate @ 10.0 MPH


2500# SucGate port wave


Splash made by the SucGate

2000# SucGate port wave


2000# SucGate starborad wave



I also hit a milestone today at 500 hours on my 13 year old boat!

[Outdoorjp]

Looks great.

I wonder if you angle the gate down so no splashing it will affect wave

[Blamey]

What size cutting board do I need to order?

[jbwake]

Great return on investment!

On our 2012 210 with NSS we still slightly lean the boat to the surf side by about 1 persons weight.

I think if you try that it will improve it a bit more.

[core-rider]

Looks great.

I wonder if you angle the gate down so no splashing it will affect wave

I have it angled down to kind of follow the angle of the body line on the back of the hull. Maybe a 20 degree angle. I may have mounted it a bit deep in the water and that was causing excessive water to splash up. I'll keep playing with the angle and depth to see if I can refine it. I may just need to angle the plate back a bit further.