Chine removal on a 24v

[duffymahoney]

Well after lots and lots of pondering, and after seeing the new Z3 doesn't have them, I have decided the chines on my 24v must go. Weirdly the local fiberglass- gelcoat guy did this on his old mastercraft years ago and said it's pretty straight forward.

Here is what he says would be the project. He and I think 2 feet forward from the transom would be the bare minimum. He said cut it off or grind it off, whichever is easier. Then he will measure the original thickness and layer the same amount of fiberglass and epoxy. Then gel coat it. I am thinking of copying the angles of my old avalanche. My old boat had the most amazing and beautiful wave. Just my boat was underwater to get it. If it doesn't work he said re-making them would be easy as well. Anything I am missing? We are sort of friends and he said he would do it for $400-500 depending on how long it takes. Here are some pictures. I am thinking about buying a new boat for an even better wave, so spending 400-500 isn't as bad as a newer 50k boat.

[duffymahoney]

Or maybe a malibu chine copy.

[dingleberry]

A chinectomy?

Good luck - can't wait to see the outcome! May a boat born tsunami be in your future.

[Timmy!]

Good luck! I hope the chinectomy does what you are wanting it to do and not anything that you don't...

[duffymahoney]

Well that's the concern. I guess Tige did this same basic concept on the z3. Chines have no purpose on a surf boat. I can literally see the wave getting wash- ripples from it. The reason I can see this is because my deck is cut down so much. Also causes ripples and wash on the wakeboard wake. Thats the reason the fiberglass guy removed his on his mastercraft. He said it made the wake way better. I don't think this would be a huge change, but in my mind would be worth it, if it worked.

[chpthril]

Tige did it on the Z3 yes, but we dont know if ti was for the wake-board or surf wake. And keep in mind, the Z3 is a whole new hull, not just a 23 ft version of a Ve, so who knows what the side effects might be.

[duffymahoney]

I know the hull is new and from what ragboy says it's amazing! My surf wave is great- if not amazing. Tinkering with these types of things is sort of my hobby. Cutting the boat this much does scare the crap out of me.

[NICKYPOO]

Right on duffy. I think this is a great idea.

[duffymahoney]

Ok fiberglass guy says cutting them straight off not rounding them would be much easier. So maybe more like the centurion enzo or avalanche.

[Duncan]

Balls. You have cast iron balls. Looking forward to seeing the outcome. Good luck!

[Wakeman22]

My is that is quite the endevor. You and your fiberglass guy have lots of balls, big balls. And that is a complement.

Here is a thought... Maybe you should fill in the area and build it up to the desired effect. This would not effect the side and structure rigidety as much. If it did not work you could remove it.

[duffymahoney]

We talked about building it up. The problem is, that would change the wave completely and that isn't my goal. My neighbor growing up fixed boats that had been in accident etc.. for a living. A good fiberglass guy can make it better and stronger then it was used. I bet most if not all people couldn't tell he repaired them. He still has one that a freaking sea plane hit and he has been using it for 15+ years. My fiberglass guy showed me what he did to his mastercraft 10+ years ago and it still looks great. I haven't fully committed to this but I am pretty darn sure. I also like the idea that he said if they don't work he could put them back for less then I paid to have them removed. The chines hurt the wave, for that I am certain. Either do this or sell my boat and try and find a 247 in my price range and start the whole process of custom ballast again.

[konajay]

Chinectomy! Nice one dingleberry!

A chinectomy?

Good luck - can't wait to see the outcome! May a boat born tsunami be in your future.

[ragboy]

I can't find a good picture of the new Z3 corner, I can tell you that the latest we were on definitely had them removed. The interesting thing is that riding the boat with the chines, and then riding the boat without, it didn't make that much difference if at all in the size or shape of the wake, but both dennis and RJ said they could feel the difference.

[duffymahoney]

I bet the size won't change much at all, hopefully it will help the shape- smooth it. Plus they are designed to create lift so why would I want that on a surf boat