Should I retrofit or get a new boat for wake surfing

[scttwht1]

I have owned a 09 22ve for three years. I purchased in 2012 and have used it for family activities that are mostly wake boarding, skiing, and pulling the tubes (gasp but the kids get their way). Last year i started wake surfing and have become a addicted. I have been surfing with no ballast (the boat does not have factory ballast) and a light load of people which gives me a short and small wave at best. I have reached a skill level where I want a better wave and need advice. Should I try to improve the 22ve by adding custom ballast and the convex V to my existing boat? Can the convex V be added to a 22ve? If so any rough idea of the cost to do this. Or should I just trade in a for a new boat. I would assume the new boat should be the Z3. Can anyone share a realist range on a z3 purchased at the end of the season? Ideas appreciated.

[robert theisen]

The 22VE makes a great wave with custom ballast. You can check with Chpthril about cost for this upgrade. But I'm sure it will be much more cost effective than buying a new boat. Good luck with your endeavor.

[chpthril]

Im not too sure the Ve needs a VX

[skippabcool]

You are lucky that it doesn't have the factory ballast as it will make it easier to upgrade. What I would do and may be worth it to you is get with chpthril and get one of his custom sac's and a pump. That way you can see what you are going to get as far as a wave and see if you like it. If you do, then you can install an automated ballast system. There are a number of us on here that have installed the ballast in a 22Ve and love the wave. I have found my wave is best with no front ballast only ballast in the rear.

[boardman74]

Your boat can produce a great wave with added ballast. Adding a system is going to be your most cost effective option. I am 99% sure putting a VX on your boat is not an option. If you wanted to upgrade a holdover 14 Z3 is going to be around mid 80's and up(depending on area). There are plenty of guys on here surfing VE's that love them. They can produce a great wave.

[JLG]

Like stated above that 22ve is an excellent all around water sport boat. Ballast can easily be added and will run around the 2k-2500 range if installed by yourself and yes contact member chpthril on here if that's the route you go. Skippa, me and several others have plenty of posts on installs to help guide you. If you do the ballast make sure you go for the custom sacs mike sells as you will be purchasing them later on when you find the smaller ones aren't enough! I don't believe the convex can be added to the VE boats as it became available in 12 or 13 models on the newer hull. I don't think you would need it anyway as the VE has a great hull design for surfing. The platform does tend to cut into the wave though and several ppl on here have cut or altered them also. The good thing about installing an automated system is when traded or sold it will hold most of its value as the next person will want it. Maybe install and if you decide to upgrade to a Z3 your not out much IMO.

Now the Z3 that's a whole new area of surf wave, features, etc. I owned a 22ve and miss it for the slalom wave it threw but I also miss my 20I for its small slalom wave. Overall all I am 100% impressed with my current Z3 for all water sport activites. The surf wave took my wife and I to another level of surfing and we love it. The slalom wake isn't all that bad behind it either for its weight. We like all the memory settings that the tige touch offers as you simply push a button, wait a couple minutes and everything is set for each individual rider. Yes this does come at a cost, but it depends on what you are wanting out of a boat. We spend a lot of hours on the water and didn't like the constant babysitting we had to do with our 22ve ballast system. The Z3 is simple set it and forget it!

A Z3 will vary on price and I would say anywhere from the 65k range for a used to 100k new. There are several 13 model Z3s on the market and they will have huge discounts on them so search the web. Shop around and take a ride on a Z3 but don't ever accuse me of twisting your arm into purchasing the Z3 after a pull or two as you will love the boat!

[Captainkurk72]

I too caught wakesurf but back in June and since then sold my crownline and bought a 05 22V (<30K). I have two 320lbs ballast (sold to me cheap from a friend) in aft lockers. I do often have another 600lbs of friends in the boat. A few weeks ago I spent a few hours and $25 making a DIY surf gate results are awsome. I don't have to list the boat and have a great surf wave. The wave I get is very close to what a friend gets his 06 X45 (60K used) and 1500lbs ballast (& listed). I can't imagine what a phone call to Chpthril will do for me, which i will be making early spring.

Now to my point. Unless you want to spend a lot of money for conveniences I would keep the 22Ve and make the call to Chpthril. I would also make the DIY surf gate too but not needed.

[duffymahoney]

Lets see pictures of your gate wave!!

I too caught wakesurf but back in June and since then sold my crownline and bought a 05 22V (<30K). I have two 320lbs ballast (sold to me cheap from a friend) in aft lockers. I do often have another 600lbs of friends in the boat. A few weeks ago I spent a few hours and $25 making a DIY surf gate results are awsome. I don't have to list the boat and have a great surf wave. The wave I get is very close to what a friend gets his 06 X45 (60K used) and 1500lbs ballast (& listed). I can't imagine what a phone call to Chpthril will do for me, which i will be making early spring.

Now to my point. Unless you want to spend a lot of money for conveniences I would keep the 22Ve and make the call to Chpthril. I would also make the DIY surf gate too but not needed.

[turbonine]

I tested out the Wicked Wake surf product last week and was very pleased with it. Pocket was longer, boat wasn't listed.

[BCRider]

I have a 09 22ve. With the 250 hard tank. 400lbs in the locker. 400lbs along the back seat and 400lbs along the side I get this result. I also have 200lbs in steel blocks that I move around as well or tweeking. 10.6mph taps 4-5. I'm 6' 220lbs.

When pulling goofy riders I find I need to fill the front to make the wave longer and slightly run faster.

No need for a new boat. Personally I'm saving so I can run chpthrl's custom 1000lbs sacs on either side so I don't have bags all over the boat.

[Duncan]

chpthrl's custom 1000lbs sacs in your current 22Ve. Cut down the deck and add a surf flap. Your wave will be awesome.

Wanna save some cash for the first season? Just get the sacks with a manual pump first. We ran that way for a full season and it was a good test. And it spread out the cash for upgrades over two seasons.

[sandm]

'12 22ve here.
chp's sack on the regular side makes a great wave. still need a goofy wave sack here but this winter.

he's the hookup that will get ya pumps, wiring, diagrams and all the necessary stuff to make it work....

[IDBoating]

I have the same year (2009) 24Ve, and discussions of 24Ve's and 22Ve's catch my attention. Everything I've read everywhere speaks of the 22Ve as being an awesome all-around boat. I agree with the other comments here: Keep your already excellent boat, call ChpThril and do what he says, and I bet you'll be posting photos and videos of a very happy family very soon!

[jmhatchett]

I have a 2009 22Ve and it surfs amazing... the wakeboard wake after a little dialing in is also excellent. I have added ballast in mine and that helped so much. Since you have a blank slate, ChpThril can set your boat up to honestly outperform boats that came with a factory setup.

[Duncan]

Cut down the deck and add a surf flap.

Sorry, did not see you had a 2009. That was the first year they make a smaller platform. They further reduced it on later models. But our unmodified 2009 platform has been fine with the addition of a surf flap (see previous thread and thread).