The Reveal: AutoWake and WakeTouch!

[IDBoating]

Seems like most people slightly list a gated wave. For say a g23 if you are surfing starboard with a 5% list, can you do a transfer and then switch to a 3% list on that side of that's optimal on that side? Because it seems like right now with the transfers you need to equal weight it (no list) and you transfer from a less desirable wave to a less desirable wave.

(See above.) This is easy. All you'd do is dial in the "perfect" wave on either side and store each of them as a preset. Totally possible that one side would have a different list than the other. When you switch sides, AutoWake moves the hull to the desired list angle - and you're good to go. As the gates deploy it may be that the hull will already move "most" of the way to the new orientation, but AutoWake will take care of the last little bit automatically so that the hull condition defined by the new preset is achieved.

[IDBoating]

I have one question about the system in what order will it make the changes...will the system adjust the plate or gate first, speed second, and ballast third?

That's configurable by the manufacturer, based on what their boats need/want. In general your order is the most likely, and the default. The gates can have quite an impact on the hull's orientation, and they change faster than the ballast, so it makes sense to move them first. Once you're up to speed, the system keeps checking hull orientation and tweaks as necessary. The system can be calibrated to "know" the effect each control method (gate, ballast, trim tab) has on the hull, so the software can make decisions regarding how to best correct hull misalignment based upon what options it has available to it on the boat d'jour.

[st68]

thanks for keep answering our questions.... so on a gate boat does the system auto detect regular or goofy and change automatically on the fly or would i have to tell it which side to manage?

[IDBoating]

thanks for keep answering our questions.... so on a gate boat does the system auto detect regular or goofy and change automatically on the fly or would i have to tell it which side to manage?

Since AutoWake would be part of the helm system, when you switch sides AutoWake would already know which side you're going to.

EDIT: Stated another way, you'd be selecting another preset, which would "know" you are going to the other side. The entire system, including AutoWake, would be informed of your choice and react accordingly.

[boatwakes]

Well done sir!

[Raffit78]

Guys, I dunno about this system. I mean, I whole heartedly think, as Tige owners, we should really have first shot at installing these on our boats asap to make sure "tige" doesn't get a bad software.

This system sounds so powerful, I can't wait to install it. (Like, very soon)

[JLG]

This system looks like an incredible advancement in the wake surf community!! A++ on your work.

Wonder if the big name companies will overlook it since it has been released from you and they won't be able to take full credit for the invention? Or take what you have done and copy it I mean tweak it to make it their idea? Had you sat down with any companies before releasing your system if so what was the feedback without mentioning the brand? Just some thoughts and hope this doesn't happen as you and your team deserve a huge pay $$$$ day for your incredible system!!

[IDBoating]

This system looks like an incredible advancement in the wake surf community!! A++ on your work.

Thanks!

Wonder if the big name companies will overlook it since it has been released from you and they won't be able to take full credit for the invention? Or take what you have done and copy it I mean tweak it to make it their idea? Had you sat down with any companies before releasing your system if so what was the feedback without mentioning the brand?

"Credit" is an ego thing. They shouldn't care. They can't take credit for "inventing" their engines either. But one of them CAN take credit for recognizing a huge advantage and being the one smart enough to jump on it before the others. Then they can take credit for laughing all the way to the bank as they steal sales from the other, slower players.

The biggest feedback we got when doing early market research was that boat companies are risk-averse. They are terrified of pouring money into development projects where they cannot predict budget, schedule, or success. They are experts are building a new hull mold, for example, and they know how long it will take and how much it will cost, so they are comfortable with a project like that. But when you are breaking radically new ground like this, and don't know how long it will take, or whether the patents will be successful, etc., it gets uncomfortable for them. No surprise.

That's why this is such a great opportunity for (one of) them. We have eliminated the risk and the uncertainty. The technology works. Over 20 patent claims have already issued and more are on the way. This is a rare chance to write a single check for a fixed amount of money and buy a 15+ year exclusive advantage. Deals like that don't come along very often in this industry. Like the website says: Imagine having an exclusive on cruise control in the wakeboat industry. Would that be nice?

As for copying and tweaking... we have lots of experience writing patents and know how to write the claims to be very broad in scope. It's almost impossible to avoid infringement. And as last week's out of court patent settlement between Nautique and Malibu proves, it can get very expensive very fast to ignore someone else's patent rights. We aren't worried.

[JLG]

Well said and terrific news you guys are covered with patent as you are correct in the fact you've spent tons of time and money to design this system and deserve a good pay day for it.

[IDBoating]

Well said and terrific news you guys are covered with patent as you are correct in the fact you've spent tons of time and money to design this system and deserve a good pay day for it.

We're reasonable, we don't expect a king's ransom.

We start scheduling meetings with potential buyers next week. I doubt this will take very long. I seriously wouldn't buy a new boat right now....

[FacePlant]

This is amazing stuff OP. I am even more amazed that no one came up with this sooner!! Congrats and thanks to you and your team for all the hard work. You all have no doubt just changed the wake sports landscape with this patent. I imagine you won't be waiting too long for the payoff. AWESOME work!!!

[Coop]

WA -- I assume the hull angles need to be measured while the boat is at speed, and the adjustments therefore need to happen while underway. Some of those adjustments will involve getting more water into the sacs. I've had issues in the past with filling ballasts while at speed -- the pumps don't seem to fill as fast, they take in a lot of air, etc. Any thoughts on avoiding that problem?

Also, I was curious why you decided on a one-time sale to one manufacturer as opposed to licensing it and potentially creating an on-going revenue stream. I understand if you'd prefer not to answer that to the extent it calls for proprietary financial strategy.

I love the creativity and innovation and I hope it works as well as advertised.

[IDBoating]

WA -- I assume the hull angles need to be measured while the boat is at speed, and the adjustments therefore need to happen while underway. Some of those adjustments will involve getting more water into the sacs. I've had issues in the past with filling ballasts while at speed -- the pumps don't seem to fill as fast, they take in a lot of air, etc. Any thoughts on avoiding that problem?

Yes, the system knows how to deal with that in a number of ways. Some of it we can't speak about too openly, it's trade secret data.

But keep this in mind: This is yet another great example of why you must MEASURE THE RIGHT THINGS. Your point about not getting as much water and taking in air is dead-on accurate. And regular systems can't tell that is happening because they're measuring things like pump timing. But when you're measuring the HULL, you know what is really going on. Just because a pump "says" it's moving water isn't the whole story if the hull isn't moving back to where you want it. By measuring the HULL, and controlling things based on what the hull is doing, you don't get fooled by pumps that suck air. You're correct, it might take longer if the pump isn't as efficient, but you will KNOW when the hull gets there. (There are also things the boat manufacturer can do to avoid this problem, which we will share with the buyer.)

You asked a very good question. It's obvious that folks are really starting to think about the RIGHT way to manage waves and wakes. People attending boat shows should be asking boat manufacturers "How does your system correct for day-to-day changes?" Because just matching yesterday's settings does NOT guarantee the same wave or wake unless you're actually measuring the hull.

Keep those questions coming!

Also, I was curious why you decided on a one-time sale to one manufacturer as opposed to licensing it and potentially creating an on-going revenue stream.

Two main reasons: 1) When we start our next project we don't want to be distracted by having to monitor a bunch of licensees for compliance; and 2) If we license it to everyone it just becomes another "me-too" feature. We think it has more value as a differentiator, something that truly sets one brand apart from the rest.

[NICKYPOO]

Really impressed with this system, WAB. I'm sure you'll sell it. Nice work man.

[IDBoating]

Had to share a cool comment we just received via email from a promoter for a well-known wakeboard tour:

"...standard by which all competitions are held. It would cool to say that we know that every rider had the same wake because of AutoWake."