Help Dialing in a 2001 21V?

[jhillard]

We finally caught some good luck where a break in schedules coincided with good weather and we got to take out our Tige 21V for the first time (a 2001, but new to us). Everyone had a great time boarding and surfing. But I feel there is more potential to be had from the boat when we finally get things dialed in for the wake.

While boarding, it pulled fine. No problems getting people up. However I did not feel like I could consistently get a good wake at a good speed. The boat seemed to take forever to plane. Giving more throttle did not help. The boat seemed to get to a speed/RPM and stay there for awhile until decided to plane off. Then it would suddenly speed up about 8 or 9 mph. Backing down the throttle always seemed to slow down past the sweet spot and go to slow.

Any hints on how to set the ballast and the TAPS settings? I would start off with TAPS at 1, which helped somewhat with the planing, although it still it took awhile. We never turned on the PP.

The boat is a 2001 21V. It has a new ACME 3 blade 653 prop and a ballast system with 650 lbs in the bow and 1100 lbs bags on each side of the engine (thanks to Mike's Liquid Audio for the prop and the ballast!).

The prop may have been cavitating, I cannot really tell as I am coming from a Yamaha jet boat.

Any hints on how to get started dialing this in would be great!

-jhillard-

[boardman74]

What were you running for wake boarding? I'm not totally sure but looks like you have 2-1100's in the back and just 650 in the bow? You have way to much weight in the back of the boat and thats my guess why you are having issues planning and holding speed. Those 1100's are great for surfing, but way to much for wake boarding.

[jhillard]

I never filled the back sacs all the way. At most I had them half full, and the bow full (also, I don't think the back sacs have room to fill all the way). From there I started dumping water to see how things worked. But with all the people, the teaching, TAPS, first time out, etc., there were to many variables changing from pull to pull for me to really comprehend what was affecting what.

Next time perhaps I will start with everything empty, then add ballast to the front (nobody wants to sit up there), and see what happens. Does that sound like a plan? What should TAPS be set at?

-JH-

[laserfish]

What prop are you running? If you still have the stock factory prop, it is time for a change. That can make a huge difference.

[jhillard]

The prop is a new three blade ACME 653. That's what they recommended.

I also had seven people in the boat, 2 adults and 5 teenagers. Nobody was sitting in the bow.
-JH-

[kx250frider617]

I have that boat and run 250lbs on both side of the motor, 400 on back seats a 750 in the bow. You definitely have way too much rear weight. I would fill your 650, then fill the rear bags 1/8 at a time until the boat starts to purpose. I find it best to get close to 50/50 weight in the 21v or else it gets super washy and won't maintain speed. Also, remember we have spray pockets in the back. Too much weight will wash out the wake.

[hossdog]

Also would be interesting to see what speed you were running at. Also are you set up with perfect pass? If so you may need to check the servo to make sure everything is functioning properly there. I have 450lbs in each rear locker and just throw a 350lb bag up front if we need it. Honestly for hydrofoiling I don't usually run any ballast and run the taps at 1-2. If my buddy is wake boarding we will fill both rear sacks and put the 350 up front and then adjust the taps from there to clean it up. We can usually get a big clean wake with that set up. We may have to move some "human fat sacks" around to clean it up more. You will almost always have a little wash on the top of the wake with this boat, but once you get used to it and get it dialed it will be minimal and will not affect your ride. I find the wake cleans up better and better the faster you go. I ride the foil at 24-25 and it is really nice and clean without any weight. My buddy who is a pretty decent wakeboarder rides between 22-24 and we can get it pretty clean there too. Under 22 and it is a little more tricky to clean it up.