2016 R20 Surf Setup

[Dkurtz1]

Hi friends,

I recently purchased a brand new 2016 R20. The boat has all the goodies needed for surfing.

Surf+Surf XL ballast
Taps 3
Convex Hull

We've had it out a few times so far, and after trying just about every possible ballast and taps configuration, we can't get our wave to push hard enough that riders can let go of the rope without falling out the back of the wave. I emailed Tige, and they encouraged us to follow this setup,

Front 80% ballast
Rear 100%
Taps 3 on 3-4
Center taps on 2-4 depending on riders size. Bigger, go towards 4, smaller goes towards 2.

If more than three people in the boat, fill front to 100%.

We tried this but still can't lose the rope. I weigh 210, and we're using a brand new Hyperlite Broadcast 5'4''.

The cleanest wave we were able to create was by filling the rear surf side ballast 30%, with surf left taps at 2, and center taps at 3. I was able to lose the rope for about 15 seconds, but was practically on top of the swim platform at this point. When we filled the ballast and set taps as Tige instructed us, the wave was very white watery without a clean break down the top. At best we had maybe a 2 foot long pocket to surf.

Here are a few things I'm thinking might be wrong, would appreciate your feedback.

1. Maybe the left taps plate is not working? - when I activate surf left and set the taps at 8. Shouldn't the plate be pushed as far down into the water as possible? It looks to me like maybe the taps plate isn't moving at all. When I switch to surf right - the wave looked a lot better ( but maybe that's cuz the driver is adding weight to the right side).

2. Is the hyperlite broadcast 5'4'' just too heavy/slow for this small of a boat? I did a TON of research, and most people said that the broadcast was the best universal board for beginners...but it is HUUUGE, and turns so very slowly. Is it possible that we'll just need a lighter more nimble board for the R20 at my weight?

3. Am I'm expecting a wave that can't be produced by a 20ft boat? I've watched youtube videos of people surfing the new R20...and I have yet to see our wave as big as theirs...but maybe the 20ft boat just can't produce what you see from the 21, 22, and 23ft boats?

In summary, the issue I'm having is this - the more I filled the ballast, the worse the wave got, and at no point with my board was I able to surf without the rope. There must be something I'm missing or something broken, yeah?

Thank you!

[Dandy]

There are several things that factor into being able to ride without the rope (not in any particular order, may even miss some)
1: Boat
2: Ballast Set Up
3: Speed
4: Board
5: Rider Skill set

Lets review:
1, 2 & 3: You already have the boat. With some online searching (Search this forum for Squid R20 and you may find alot of good info) you should find plenty of info on setting this boat up
4: You sound like you already did your homework
5: At the risk of being an ***, have YOU ever been able to ride without the rope on any board, behind any boat? If so, what was that configuration.

There are some people that just can, I was lucky to be one of those people. I was the first student for a wakeschool to drop the rope on my first try in 2008. Nope, I am not great, just have a natural feel for it. My wife on the kther hand has tried a bit for 2 seasons. One behind a set up Z1 and one behind a G23, both boats known for their ability to produce a great wave. We have several boards and she can get up and ride with the rope, but we have been able to get her to free ride. There is a possibility that the issue is the combination of your skills and the board.

In other posts I have seen pros post pics of them on the board and people have then been able to help them.

Post up some pics and as much info as you can on the set ups and I am sure you will get some good guidance.


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[killerbren]

Do you have any experience surfing or are you totally new to the sport? Have you been able to go ropeless behind other boats in the past? The reason I ask is because when you first start learning how to surf, it takes a bit of practice and "feel" before you are able to drop the rope. My hunch is that you are putting too much weight on your back foot (you have the brakes on and dont even know it). Do you have a picture or a video of you on the wake?

[Dkurtz1]

Dandy - thanks for the heads up! Sounds like I need to spend another day working on the wave and take a few pictures to bring back. You're right, I have done all the homework (spent hours reading about this and watching videos) so it's likely a combination of skill and the board I am using.

Killerbren - I am totally new to wakesurfing. I have necer surfed prior to this, BUT, I have spent a ton of time reading and watching tutorials to make sure that I understand how to control the board. As part of my learning, I understand that putting weight forward is the "gas," and putting weight backwards is the "brake." While I was surfing last, I tried different ways of putting weight forward for about 30 minutes, but in order to stay in the pocket, I had to push forward so much that it caused pearling.

After reading more reviews about the new Hyperlite Broadcast 5'4'', I've started to see a lot of people say that the board is known for pearling, and because of that a lot of people get tired of it after just a few rides. Next time I go out, I'm going to borrow a few boards from a local shop, and report back on whether or not a faster more responsive board makes a difference.

Thank you both so much for your help!!

[bsreid]

With the taps 3 boats you're going to want your stock ballast completely full on both sides. The Taps system will do all the work after that. From what I have read just start with the tab all the way down(1) and slowly work up until you see the results. Another thing to remember if you're always the ones surfing, the wave might look amazing but surf awful or vice versa. It's just something you learn over time. With the board, being new to surfing that board is a great starter, after a few months of riding not so much...

Welcome to the family!

[Z3CO23]

All of the Taps 3 boats need more weight that the Surf XL weight for each model. If you dont want to invest in custom bags for the rear lockers, try running a loose bag on the floor of the boat mid cabin. It's cheaper and will allow you to see changes. Or.... get a huge crew one day and see what the weight does. My guess would be a minimum of 400 extra pounds in water weight. 800 would probably be ideal. Keep the front full.

[cbath]

One other question is how deep is the lake that you are surfing? I had a 14 R20 before our Z3 and it was capable of a great surf wave. We had to list ours since it didn't have Taps3, but, taps 3 will basically list your boat for you. On my R20, I would fill the rear 100% and then add just enough bow weight to clean the wave up. You're not going to get as long of a wave as say a Z3 without adding more ballast weight, but for recreational surfing I would suggest trying 100% full both rears and then add some bow weight as you watch the wave until it's cleaned up. In my experience, rear weight gets your height and mass, bow weight will lengthen the wave, but reduce height and mass.


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[Galaxy24]

Cbath touched on the topic of lake depth. Not sure if you looked into this or not. We have a 2013 Z1. It puts out a good wave that I am happy with. However, a portion of our lake will drop to 7 feet. When approaching this shallow area the push will slowly disappear and we fall out of the wave. Not saying this is your problem but something to look into.


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[Germaine Marine]

You are running wayyyyyy to much bow weight...

With stock weight in your r20, you need no more then 30-40%

[bsreid]

You are running wayyyyyy to much bow weight...

With stock weight in your r20, you need no more then 30-40%

I disagree, the r20 loves bow weight, you just need more weight in the rear. Unless taps 3 likes it differently but today I ran with an 800bag probably 600 full untop of stock just in the bow.

[killerbren]

Killerbren - I am totally new to wakesurfing. I have necer surfed prior to this, BUT, I have spent a ton of time reading and watching tutorials to make sure that I understand how to control the board. As part of my learning, I understand that putting weight forward is the "gas," and putting weight backwards is the "brake." While I was surfing last, I tried different ways of putting weight forward for about 30 minutes, but in order to stay in the pocket, I had to push forward so much that it caused pearling.

After reading more reviews about the new Hyperlite Broadcast 5'4'', I've started to see a lot of people say that the board is known for pearling, and because of that a lot of people get tired of it after just a few rides. Next time I go out, I'm going to borrow a few boards from a local shop, and report back on whether or not a faster more responsive board makes a difference.

Im a tall guy who weighs 235 lbs. When I bought my boat it came with 2 boards that were too small for me, I could never drop the rope, sometimes I came close. I did that for a couple months. If I remember right I tried a friends broadcast once and it was easier but I still had to work pretty hard to go ropeless. I halfway through the summer I found a used Inland surfer red rocket and it was a GAME CHANGER. Ropeless immediatly. Its not the best board to advance on, since its big and bulky, but its a great boat board to help people learn. Right now there is a used inland surfer Big boy in the classified section, maybe you can pick it up for a good price.

[Dkurtz1]

Thank you for the reply! Do you know how much the boat's max weight really is including balast? I think it says that 1700 pounds is the max load, but does that include the balast? Or is that just people? When is there too much weight in the boat? When the water gets passed the rub rail? Thanks!

[Germaine Marine]

I disagree, the r20 loves bow weight, you just need more weight in the rear. Unless taps 3 likes it differently but today I ran with an 800bag probably 600 full untop of stock just in the bow.

Taps 3 likes things wayyyyy different because, the boat does not have enough rear weight....

So yes it needs more rear but if running the stock config it needs way less bow weight then the OP is running.

[bsreid]

Hmm ok. I guess things are a lot different. Once I get my taps 3 system here and installed I shall report back.

[tgmind]

Hi friends,

I recently purchased a brand new 2016 R20. The boat has all the goodies needed for surfing.

Surf+Surf XL ballast
Taps 3
Convex Hull

We've had it out a few times so far, and after trying just about every possible ballast and taps configuration, we can't get our wave to push hard enough that riders can let go of the rope without falling out the back of the wave. I emailed Tige, and they encouraged us to follow this setup,

Front 80% ballast
Rear 100%
Taps 3 on 3-4
Center taps on 2-4 depending on riders size. Bigger, go towards 4, smaller goes towards 2.

If more than three people in the boat, fill front to 100%.

We tried this but still can't lose the rope. I weigh 210, and we're using a brand new Hyperlite Broadcast 5'4''.

The cleanest wave we were able to create was by filling the rear surf side ballast 30%, with surf left taps at 2, and center taps at 3. I was able to lose the rope for about 15 seconds, but was practically on top of the swim platform at this point. When we filled the ballast and set taps as Tige instructed us, the wave was very white watery without a clean break down the top. At best we had maybe a 2 foot long pocket to surf.

Here are a few things I'm thinking might be wrong, would appreciate your feedback.

1. Maybe the left taps plate is not working? - when I activate surf left and set the taps at 8. Shouldn't the plate be pushed as far down into the water as possible? It looks to me like maybe the taps plate isn't moving at all. When I switch to surf right - the wave looked a lot better ( but maybe that's cuz the driver is adding weight to the right side).

2. Is the hyperlite broadcast 5'4'' just too heavy/slow for this small of a boat? I did a TON of research, and most people said that the broadcast was the best universal board for beginners...but it is HUUUGE, and turns so very slowly. Is it possible that we'll just need a lighter more nimble board for the R20 at my weight?

3. Am I'm expecting a wave that can't be produced by a 20ft boat? I've watched youtube videos of people surfing the new R20...and I have yet to see our wave as big as theirs...but maybe the 20ft boat just can't produce what you see from the 21, 22, and 23ft boats?

In summary, the issue I'm having is this - the more I filled the ballast, the worse the wave got, and at no point with my board was I able to surf without the rope. There must be something I'm missing or something broken, yeah?

Thank you!

Have you been able to find a setup that worked well?