wave smoothing surf flap -- easy to mount on 2009 brackets

[Duncan]

I don't understand this comment. The platform on my 09 is deep in the surf wave, yet doesn't cause any turbulence at all. If anything, it actively smoothes out the face of the wave. Is this a difference between the RZ and Ve style of swim platforms?

Our 09 swim platform has about a 1" lip all around the outside (visible in "Underside of installed mat" pic above). Where the edge of our 09 swim platform is buried in the wave, the lip causes a white froth to form on the wave. I presume the froth to be from the turbulence and agitation where the flow of water meets the lip and is diverted down and around (rather than smooth fluid flow). It is probably merely an aesthetic effect not affecting performance (but frothy water is "softer" and may have a small effect on the lip).

I am pretty sure this is why the bottom of new Tige swim platforms are finished to be smooth.

[Timmy!]

I'll be a naysayer... Unless that rubber is very rigid and inflexible (which looks not to be the case given the arc of the mat by the u bolts) a lot lore water is going to get past it than you think because the water will just push the mat up while you are underway.

Duffys is rigid and points straight down in comparison.

Squids Wake is using the horse stall mat on his as well and the difference is huge and he has before/after pics to prove it. He is now having the Convex VX installed instead though.

[shawndoggy]

You raise an excellent point and one I want to get the answer to on the water.

The material is not "spongy" but rather very dense and very heavy. I expect the surf side to be pressed hard against the partially submerged edge deck, noting that the rear edge extends one inch past the back of the platform (function 1 = decrease turbulence from lip on 09 platform). As the platform merges out of the water toward the non-surf side, I expect the flexibility of the mat to allow it to lay flat on the water (function 2 = spray barrier).

yeah I just know from trying a much more redneck looking setup last summer (18 wheeler mud flap oriented "straight down" with no induced bend) that I was really surprised at how easily the flap just "gave up" and let water underneath. the force of the rooster on my boat (not a tige) is strong, and pushes the flap pretty easy.

[shawndoggy]

Squids Wake is using the horse stall mat on his as well and the difference is huge and he has before/after pics to prove it. He is now having the Convex VX installed instead though.

Is it installed this way though, at a flexy 45* angle? That's the problem I see with the setup, not the concept itself, which duffy has proven with a zillion pics. I know it works, I'm just not sure this particular application of the concept is going to work.

[IDBoating]

Our 09 swim platform has about a 1" lip all around the outside (visible in "Underside of installed mat" pic above).

Interesting. Mine has about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch lip like that. Sort of in the middle between what yours sounds like and "smooth". Doesn't seem to cause problems. I wonder why they did mine "in the middle" instead of just finishing it smooth.

[Duncan]

I appreciate all the constructive feedback. All of the issues raised are questions I too have about how it will work. But the materials were relatively inexpensive and, if it works, the install is easy. And if I did not try it, I would just keep wondering.

[IDBoating]

But the materials were relatively inexpensive and, if it works, the install is easy. And if I did not try it, I would just keep wondering.

I LOVE that attitude! If you have an idea, try it. Whether it works or not, you've learned something that may help you on another project down the road. Awesome!

[shawndoggy]

I LOVE that attitude! If you have an idea, try it. Whether it works or not, you've learned something that may help you on another project down the road. Awesome!

^^^ this!

[topaz surfer]

Dont give up on the flap idea. I have one on my boat 2003 22v with FAE and it works very well. Also a word of advice to those who give it a go. Once you have it installed spend some time surfing and paying attention to how the water is coming off the flap. By doing this you can make adjustments to the size and shape of your flap to make it work to its best.

[duffymahoney]

Yeah mine goes straight down, this could work perfectly. Mine has some tension because of how dense the stall mats are.

[NICKYPOO]

Wow. Mega flap. Sweet, Duncan. I'm looking forward to some pics..

[konajay]

I'll be watching this thread closely. Looking forward to your feedback on how well it works. I've been thinking about doing this for some time now.

[Duncan]

Sorry all, bad storms in St Louis region yesterday. And today is too cool to drive all the way Rend Lake, IL, to take the boat out.

I will definitely have pics and a full report next weekend.

[halfwatt]

Anxious to see your results! I was lookin to a solution yesterday to my surf wave. Nice job on the write up!

[empty_boat]

looks good, would be nice to see before and after wave pictures....please