Guma's Z3 Ballast Testing

[Guma]

I am uploading the first video I put together of the testing I did on Sunday.

For my ballast setup I am running the custom sacs made for the rear lockers of the Ve. These sacs are 1300lbs on the Port Side and 1100 lbs on the Starboard side, IRC.

The first video will be of the setup we used to run on the Ve. From the driver's seat I was not really impressed, but from the video it looks as though I may have been a little quick to judge. In this particular video the prop thrust was NOT an issue, but the height of the wave was a little lackluster compared to what I had in the Ve. I was not able to ride, as I was out by myself.

Video has about another 30 minutes to upload to YouTube and I will get the link posted up.

After that one is finished I will start on the second video where I changed the weight around, and was getting a bigger wave, but the prop thrust starting becoming an issue.

[Guma]

First video... setup like the Ve. Its a nice wave, but the size is rather small.

[duffymahoney]

Maybe slow it down and add some bow weight to create length? Also water looks choppy. Not the best time for testing

[Guma]

Maybe slow it down and add some bow weight to create length? Also water looks choppy. Not the best time for testing

Video shows the ballast setup of 75% in both bow sacs, speed range was 10 - 12 mph.

[Guma]

Second video is uploading now... In the second video I get a great wave, height and length wise, but this is where the prop thrust becomes an issue. Should have it posted in 30 mins or so... On this setup the ballast is completely different...

100% Surfside Rear
25% Surfside front
25% Non Surfisde Rear
0% Non Surfside Front

Its long like the first one, so I will post the timestamp where the wave gets to what I was looking for so you can see the wave and the prop thrust...

[rensink]

Video shows the ballast setup of 75% in both bow sacs, speed range was 10 - 12 mph.

No offense dont listen to the timers check yoursel to ensure the are half to 3/4 full. I have had mine read 100% and they were empty. I always removed the piece of wood up front under the seat so I could personally check where they were at.. Just my 2 cents I guess..

[Guma]

4:00 min mark is an awesome wave....

[Guma]

No offense dont listen to the timers check yoursel to ensure the are half to 3/4 full. I have had mine read 100% and they were empty. I always removed the piece of wood up front under the seat so I could personally check where they were at.. Just my 2 cents I guess..

I wait until I see water coming out the vent thru-hull to make sure they are 100%

[ragboy]

One of the things you need to wrap your head around, and I know, its kinda weird, you don't weight this boat like a 24Ve or RZ2. Those boats you buried the corner and they needed a lot of list. This one, 7 - 9 degrees of list, and I swear it won't feel right, you won't think you are over enough. I think in my video I was at 8 degrees of list. I will measure better today, going out in an hour or so with some extra weight, and I will show you how I use the clinometer to set the boat up.

Also, some of that wash seems to come when you hit chop, smoother should help.

Lastly, move the camera all the way behind the cleat, just wear the gunwale gets wide enough, you will have a much better view.

Ok, we need to intervene. Guma needs a buddy. How can he be testing out that Z3 all by his lonesome. It just seems wrong. ;-)

[rensink]

I wait until I see water coming out the vent thru-hull to make sure they are 100%

Yeah I was more or less meaning whenever it's 25-75% I guess for me it's either full or empty! But when dialing in wakes (for me just wakeboarding) when guessing comes into play can be a real challenge as it'll never be the same again if you know what I mean?

[ragboy]

That's where the clinometer comes in. I will show you today.

[jbort]

I will volunteer as test rider for Gumma - in about a week. Good to see Gumma is gettin some water time.

[Guma]

Weather has been horrible all weekend... Windy yesterday, windy and raining today, even got rained off the lake trying to fish!!!!

Tomorrow is supposed to be real nice and we should get some more time on the water.

[Guma]

So yesterday I finally got Jess out on the boat with me to do some ballast testing... The setup where I saw the wave I liked the most was with the following setup...

All weights are approx, based on the hard tank, and Ve custom sac in the rear of the Z3

Full tank of gas (48 Gallons)
Surfside Rear 1200 lbs
Surfside Front 200 lbs
Non surfside Front 100 lbs
Taps 3 - 5 (anywhere was good, 5 was awesome)
Speed 11.0
210 in the Ballast Boy seat (Me)

Here is video of this run...


We went back to the dock, picked up my neighbor and the Blue Lake Quad and headed back out. It was a nice evening of surfing, but once I was on the wave I felt like I was looking for a little more.

Today we got out (no video) with the Blue Lake Quad and my Original Flyboy. I set up a little different since it was just going to be Jess in the boat driving and no one in the ballast boy seat, 80 lb German Shepherd doesn't count...LOL

Today we ran
1300 Rear Surfside
200 Front Surfside
Taps 4
Speed 11.0
Still a full tank of gas
Ballast Boy Seat Empty

On the Blue Lake Quad the wave had tons of power, but if I got even a little close the curl in the back it would almost knock my rear foot off the board, but the push was incredible. Broke out the Flyboy, and I could absolutely FLY down the line. It was amazing!!!

Changed it up a little just to see what it felt like, and I think I found my optimal setup...
1600 Rear Surfside
200 Front Surfside
Taps 3
Speed 11.4
Full Tank of Gas
Ballast Boy Seat empty...

I didn't see this wave from the boat as Jess made the switch while I was warming up the water. We are going out again tomorrow morning and I want to get pics and video of this wave. I am no Chase or RJ on the wave but I get back there and carve up and down the wave and have fun... On the Flyboy my first carve up the wave I fell coming back onto the face because I wasn't used to the height and misjudged my balance... Back up again and I was having probably the most fun I have had since I started surfing!

I was ripping up and down the wave, back to front... 3,4 and sometimes 5 pumps just to get to the front of the wave, It was complete surfing BLISS in my world! Jess even commented after I FINALLY and reluctantly climbed in the boat, that she had never seen me get so far back and still be on the wave, nor seen a bigger smile on my face while surfing...LOL

Today was absolute glass, I really should have been on a slalom or at least a wake board, but I really wanted to dial some surf! The prop spray was not an issue at all today. It did show a little yesterday when it was a little choppy and we were heading into the chop.

Now I can't wait to try out my new Soulcraft when it comes in!!!

[ragboy]

The wake has an amazing amount of push, doesn't it?

One of the reasons we play with the setup so much, is to get that curl up, and back, and get that cut out of the wake. That is where that magic 8 degrees seems to have worked. Your wake looks good, but I think you may be listed over too much, and weighting more on the other side and the front will help that shape and get the curl up and back.