tige pre2002wt - general doubts

[Vitocha]

This originally was a question direct to one of the members but he made a suggestion of posting this thread to help everybody else that could need something similar. That being said: I already have been in the forums quite a few times and found some interesting info. For example filling the spray pockets. which gonna be my next project.I will post some pictures of the 454 magnum EFI engine that this boat has.

Originally Posted by Vitocha
Hi, I'm new here, I live in Monterrey, MX and actually own a 96 pre2002wt and the main use is wakeboarding (intermediate level and sometimes beginner hehe). Sometimes not getting a good wake is really frustrating. That why I'm here learning and asking for help.

So basically these are my main doubts.

1. While doing some re-wiring, taps system was disconnected and along the way I forgot the wiring order and had to do some test up and down. Now I don't know which position is for what, not sure if the gauge is telling me the correct info. So basically for this kind of hull (96 pre) - plate up or down will be for slalom or wakeboarding?

2. What would be your recommendation when it comes to adding weight to the boat for wakeboarding - ballast setup (front - middle - rear). How much & how to distribute it along the boat? Im running the 454 magnum engine.
And with this setup which position is recommended to use the taps?

3. Taps & weight setup for wakesurfing. I have tried number of times, but still not making enough wake to find a sweet spot and sometimes a little bit of scareness when seeing water to close to enter the boat on the rear corner.
We are kind of wakesurfing because we still do it holding the rope.

I'd really appreciate your help and opinion in this matter. At this time, my first baby was born so there is no budget to even think about changing to another boat. I'm really passionate about wakeboarding but in need to take the best advantage possible of current boat.

Thanks in advance. Best regards
Victor

[Vitocha]

This is the reply from NICKYPOO, who by the way I want to thank for the patience, suggestions, etc.

Hi Vic,

A 96 2002wt w/ a big block! You should be barefootin', not wakeboarding. That or drag racing.

What you should do is post the message you sent me along with a couple photos of that bad machine in the General discussion section and introduce yourself. No need to be shy, were all just as full a **** as the next forum. Seriously though, this site is a wealth of knowledgeable resources. We got people for whatever you need. We all help each other when we can. We especially like seeing the old boats stay up and running. Everyone would love to see it. It also helps us make recommendations. People who have your same model boat will chime in on set-ups, we got ballast pros, motor pros, stereo pros, electrical pros, all that. Don't be shy.

TAPS- Plate up should read 8 on the gauge. Plate down should read 1. The number relate to wake size (theoretically). 8 big, 1 small. It's really more of a shaping devise more than a replacement for ballast. I don't wakeboard anymore but, when I did, I would get a good setting first thing before we start riding. Get the boat to speed, run the Taps up to 8 and then bring it down until you get the whitewash to a min at the top edge of the wake. For me, it was always around 7. It still had a little wash but, it wasn't too bad. Communication with your driver is key. The wake is adjustable and your going to need to know what it needs while your riding as well as communicate that to the driver. To do that, your driver needs to know what your signals are. Get em straight before you ride. I would make sure my driver was watching me, point down at the wake, thumb up or down. Driver moves Taps accordingly in one full number increments and checks with rider. The "little bit" up or down sign represents a 1/2 number adjustment. Your boat, being relatively small, I would think it would be fairly sensitive to taps adjustment and ballast placement. The big block is kind of an unknown. At least its heavy.

My best ballast set-up was around 60% rear, 40% front. You might want to go 70/30 with that big ol' motor. A locker sac in the trunk and one in the bow walk way, all the way forward. That gets a little sketchy when coming of the throttle though. You can't just cut it. You have "roll off" the throttle. Otherwise you end up with a bow full of water that ain't in a sac. You can also run a sac across the back, under the seat but if you want to actually use that seat, you're not going to get more than 200lbs. under it. Wait, what do you have for ballast now?

D-drive surfwakes are tricky at best. You don't have much freeboard to work with or much space for ballast. You are going to have to set the Taps at 8 and put all your weight in the back corner of whichever side you want to ride. The key is to get as much list as you can. A good rule of thumb is that if your rubrail is touching the water while your surfing, that's about as much as your gonna wanna get. That being said, buy a fast board. If your board was made by a wakeboard company, it more than likely sucks.

My battery is gonna die. Post this up for everyone. It could help someone else.

Congrats on the kid. That awesome.

Nick