Poor surfing performance?

[dreddy]

We are just getting our 24v out on the water and are looking for some ideas on its performance. It was a windy day on a shallow lake but expected better than we got. We had 7 adults on board and 1500 lbs of water bags. The boat couldn't hold speed with this setup and seemed to just have nothing left to give. The boat has the 6.0 liter engine, perfect pass speed control and the factory standard prop. This is a 2004 model with the marine power engine.

Just looking for ideas on what to address first. We were at 4500 ft elevation so I'm pretty sure we need a different prop but I don't know what the recommended power prop is for this boat. Water was about 3 inches from the rib rail while under way so I think we could probably add some additional weight eventually. The inconsistency in the speed was my biggest worry. I'm sure the perfect pass only has the factory setting which seemed to work ok for wake boarding but are there tweaks for better control at slow speeds?

Any ideas would be appreciated. Everything else on the boat is great and we can't wait to dial it in completely.

[loudelectronics]

You have probably the best surfing boat out there. I have a 2004 24V with 6.0L just as you mentioned.

What prop do you have?

You will want to get that rub rail pretty much touching the water. I run 4 1100 lb bags in each corner. Front are rear surf side full, opposite side about 30% full. If no people in the boat I throw another sac on top of one in back locker and potentially under the bench seat. But if people in the boat usually dont need too.

This setup betters the surf performance of my Z3 which is no slouch.

[chpthril]

What prop? @ 4500 ft, a reprop may be in order.

How deep was the lake?

And did you disengage the PP and try it manually? You may have an issue with the PP not holding as well. Also, with a not so ideal prop for surfing, you can get a lot of prop slip and cavatation. This will cause the PP to hunt.

[laserfish]

Agree with Chp. Check out your prop. When we started surfing from strictly wakeboarding we had to change props. Now we can do both. Call Acme and discuss it with them.

[dreddy]

It looks like we have an Acme 381 (13.5 X 17.5). I was thinking that this could be the 1st area to address and I really appreciate the confirmations from you guys. I'll be checking with the experts at OJ and Acme today to see what they recommend.

I know that the other real issue we had with getting a good wave was the lake depth. Water is scarce this year so this lake is only about 6-7' deep. Hopefully we will have time to get out to some deeper water very soon but around here the water in those lakes just hasn't warmed up so far.

Question for Loudelectronics from above: Do you just put the 1100 front surf-side bag in the storage hatch or do you have something custom that fits under the bow seats? That's a lot of weight to hide up front.

Thanks guys.

[Duncan]

It looks like we have an Acme 381 (13.5 X 17.5). I know that the other real issue we had with getting a good wave was the lake depth. Water is scarce this year so this lake is only about 6-7' deep. Hopefully we will have time to get out to some deeper water very soon but around here the water in those lakes just hasn't warmed up so far.

This is a huge issue. Anything less than 10 feet for our 09 RZ2 and the wave simply falls apart. Towards the end of summer, our fav 10-12 ft cove becomes 6-8 ft and unsurfable, forcing us to venture into less protected water. The wave at 6-8 ft is just terrible for us.

So the good news is, you should not be disappointed in your boat! Re-prop and find some deep water and you are good to go. More weight will be a bonus eventually but right now does not solve depth and adds problems re current prop.

[Coop]

Water is scarce this year so this lake is only about 6-7' deep.

I think this is a big issue for the quality of your wake. In my experience, anything less than 10' will have a noticeable impact on the surf wake.

[loudelectronics]

It looks like we have an Acme 381 (13.5 X 17.5). I was thinking that this could be the 1st area to address and I really appreciate the confirmations from you guys. I'll be checking with the experts at OJ and Acme today to see what they recommend.

I know that the other real issue we had with getting a good wave was the lake depth. Water is scarce this year so this lake is only about 6-7' deep. Hopefully we will have time to get out to some deeper water very soon but around here the water in those lakes just hasn't warmed up so far.

Question for Loudelectronics from above: Do you just put the 1100 front surf-side bag in the storage hatch or do you have something custom that fits under the bow seats? That's a lot of weight to hide up front.

Thanks guys.

I run the Acme 537 I believe on the 24V. 13.5x16 at 2800'.

The bags I have are the 1100 lb fly high fat sacs. Each one fits in each locker. The drivers side front is a bit scrunched though. I doubt any of them fill to capacity but they would be close on the surf side front locker behind the bow loungers. Nothing custom with this setup as it is just off the shelf stuff. I do not put anything under the U shaped bow compartements as it is so tight.

Also you need a minimum 15' of water. The wake will be so small and no push in that shallow of water. I even see the wake ramp up another notch when we get to 20'.

If lakes are cold, invest in wetsuits. They are a life saver and can extend your season big time.

[Timmy!]

I think the depth is your problem! Try using less weight and if possible putting some of the weight on the swim platform. I was talking to Tige Pro, Chris Kinsey, over the weekend and they find that on their 10' deep lake that a 155lb brick on the platform helps them get the wave that they are looking for with their Z3. If you over weight the boat, the wave bounces off of the lake bottom and it won't develop fully.

[dreddy]

I completely agree with everyone on the water depth issue. It is one that we are familiar with and we really had no great expectations of wave quality on this trip. The real issue was the lack of speed control. Even with the shallow water, I would expect to be able to maintain speed but it was fluctuating everywhere between 9 and 12 mph while the setpoint was around 10.5 most of the time. We have a few wetsuits to keep people warm, but just didn't feel like burning the extra gas to the deeper lakes while taking along mostly newbies on a very windy day. Conditions just haven't been inspiring enough to commit to the whole-day, hitting-it-hard, gas-burning, sunburning event. It is supposed to get to and stay in the 90's this week however. I can't wait for the weekend!

Thanks for the prop recommendation. I left a message with the expert at OJ today and hope to get his feedback soon as well.

[dreddy]

P.S. We pulled the rear hard tanks before our outing this weekend so we could fit an 1100 bag in the rear port locker. They are for sale along with the fronts if anyone is interested. We had to pull the carpet off them to get them out without cutting them but it can easily be glued back on. I can't believe the factory got them in there with the top deck attached. It was a really tight squeeze but they finally popped out.

[dreddy]

Does anyone know the difference between the Acme 1273 and 1275 props?

(Sorry for the multiple gratuitous posts. It is probably not the best forum etiquette.)

[chpthril]

The 1273 is 14.5D x 14.25P x 0.15 cup.

Do you by chance mean the 1235? if so, its the same but with a 0.105 cup

[NICKYPOO]

The 1273 is 14.5D x 14.24P x 0.15 cup.

Do you by chance mean the 1235? if so, its the same but with a 0.105 cup

Beat me to it.

This is a handy link.

http://acmemarine.com/prop-list_ski-boat.php

[talltigeguy]

I would get the 1235, you will notice a difference.

I think the speed control issue is still not solved, but make sure that once the speed control is set, that you put the throttle all the way down. If the throttle is not all the way down, the cruise control won't hold as steady.