Transom weight and wake shape/size for wakeboarding and surfing

[houstonshark]

We took the boat out on the river yesterday for the first time since finishing up the stereo. We really had some balancing issues with getting the wake to be clean on both sides while wakeboarding. In doing the stereo we moved the cranking battery from its factoy port side location to the starboard side and installed 2 new batteries in the port side that are quite large and heavy. The net result in weight should be right around 140lbs more on the port side.

All day long unless I dramatically unbalanced the ballast in the rear, the port side wake was huge and also very clean and the starboard side was just ok. We only had 3 adults and my 2 small boys. People weight didn't seem to make a huge difference, it was more so the transom weight. Even if I balanced the boat to where it looked level while under way and the rider was in the middle the wake was still unbalanced.

My question is, has anyone noticed a dramatic effect on the wake when adding weight to the very rear of the boat? I'm thinking next time I should bring some weight to pack in near the cranking battery on the starboard side. Any suggestions?

This was really my first time to surf and all 3 of us surfed regular. The port side wake seemed very nice and big but didn't seem real long and kept wanting to curl over, thus swallowing us novice riders if we got too close! Any suggestions? We had the port side ballast (surf ballast package on my RZR) full and the bow full, 10.8mph and TAPS 3-5 (I think...TAPS gauge is broken).

I'll take some pics and video next time. Here are a couple quick pics of the boat on the water.

[rensink]

Taps usually 1-3 works best for surfing also add a little to the bow to lengthen the pocket. General rule of thumb add weight to rear to steepen the wake and to the bow to lengthen it and vice versa.

[robert theisen]

Also a increase in speed will help lengthen the wave up to about 12mph.But go in 2 tenths increments.10.8 to 11mph then 11.2,11.4 and so on.

[Wakeman22]

Hey shark... How do you like the mouring whips?

[houstonshark]

Hey shark... How do you like the mouring whips?

Those were at a buddy's house we stopped at but we also have some at our place. Actually I just installed a new set that I bought from Overtons. They are great for quick docking, loading and unloading. You absolutely have to tie dock lines from the bow and the stern in a X to the dock to stabilize the boat and keep it from drifting forward or back.