Newbie needs help with ballast for wake surfing!

[duner10421]

I am hoping to get some info from some of you experts out there!! I bought a 1997 tige pre 2002 with 70 hrs a few months ago and am having trouble being able to create a wake big enough to throw the rope back! I most recently tried a fat seat that holds approx 1500lbs and (2) 350 lb fat sacs on starboard side for tilt. Do I need more weight or am I wasting my time with a 16 year old boat?
Any info would be appreciated!

[NICKYPOO]

Need some more info. What speed, what taps, depth of the water, what board? Pics of the wake help a lot.

That's quite a bit of weight for that little boat.

[duner10421]

We tried 10mph, 11, and 12. We thought the wake looked the best at 12! Not exactly sure of depth but if I were to guess I would say 50-60'.
Board is a Hyperlite 5'6". Im 6'1", 225 but my wife is only 5'2" 115. I can find the sweet spot and have slack in the line but if I move just inches I lose the push!
I will try and take some pics of the wake soon!

[boardman74]

Do you have any weight in the front. You should have had more than enough weight in the back.

[duner10421]

I did not have any weight in the front! I thought I would try moving one of the 350's up front to see if it would help!
As long as I know it can be done on a 97', I'll keep trying lol!!!

[NICKYPOO]

That Hyperlite (Broadcast I assume) ain't exactly fast. Especially at your size. I highly suggest a faster board.

[duner10421]

nicky... what exactly does that mean a faster board?

[jslayde1]

We are newbies too but I think you can do it with your boat. Its just gonna be alittle harder than the newer boats.

My wife is the exact same size as yours, and she can surf with no weight at all in the boat. Put a couple bags in, and she can go for days. I'm 6'2 200ish and I defefinately have to have some wieght in the boat, but I can free line fairly easy...but again, I am a new to this too.

[duner10421]

As I go through the forum and look at the pics of wakes, I realize my wake is no where near the size of some of those monsters!!!

[Ruger761]

You wont ever get the size of wake liek a 24Ve or the others are putting out. But you will get a respectable wake for a DD. Its jsut getting the correct ballast combination and layout along with speed and taps. Once you figure that out then its down to you and your board. You have enough weight its just getting the right layout. With the 1500 in the back you need some bow weight.

My best wave combo yet was a 350 in the rear locker shifted to surf side, then a 350 on side of motor, 200# under rear seat. #220 guy on rear seat. 2 adults on the observer seat and then driver and ice chest behind drivers seat. Granted I also have a little NNS prototype plate I have been messing with, but it doesnt do as much listed over compared to flat. But my hull is a touch wider so yours should be a little easier far as how much ballast is required.


Post some pics of your wake and if you can of you riding your board. Stance is a big player on the board.

[TeamAllen]

Let's hear it for the 97!! Woohoo!
I, by no means, know much about ballast. I just got Perfect Pass so we threw 3 300# sacs in with 3 extra normal size people and this is what we got last week at Lake Powell. I'm uploading a video , but that will take awhile.

[Ruger761]

Very nice!!

[Ewok]

You wont ever get the size of wake liek a 24Ve or the others are putting out. But you will get a respectable wake for a DD. Its jsut getting the correct ballast combination and layout along with speed and taps. Once you figure that out then its down to you and your board. You have enough weight its just getting the right layout. With the 1500 in the back you need some bow weight.

This is the key, actually learing how to ride, weight distribution on the board and how to pump to stay on the wave. Unfortunaltely we make it look like all you gotta do is add a ton or two of ballast, make a huge wave and anyone can surf. It takes some time to get confortable on the board, learn the balance points, learn how to turn, learn how to pump and learn how to stay in the pocket. If you can post some video of you riding we can help you out with proper foot position and posture to help you stay on the wave.

[NICKYPOO]

nicky... what exactly does that mean a faster board?

Exactly what I said. There are many, many board out there. They all ride different. The 5'6" Broadcast is one of the better "pop outs" but, it is by no means a fast board. I've ridden both iterations of that board. I own the first. It's considerably faster than the second. The really softened up the rails on it and they added a center fin. Those fins, while making it as stable as a half buried boulder, do nothing but add drag. It's just not a fast board. The Flyboy JW signature model is fast. My Walzer, fast. The list of fast boards is long and they all share one thing in common, they aren't made by wakeboard companies. Some may argue that Ronix is the exception but, I've never ridden one so I can't speek of them. A good place to learn the science behind wakesurf design is www.flyboywakesurf.com . Jeff Walker has really done a lot for the sport and has been doing longer than most. He really puts out a lot neat info.

[duner10421]

Guys, I really appreciate all the input!! I plan on going out Monday and will try some of the suggestions!! Oh, and one more thing, wife says she only weighs 110lbs, not 115!!!! LOL!