Wake9 AVX Experiment: The Skinny Test

[ragboy]

I have NEVER had this much fun with a new boat. I CANNOT say enough about the AVX. The funny thing is, RJ and I should have been fully prepared for what it could do, but we never had one on our boat that adjusted so easily, and when we tested the latest prototypes, we didn't have enough time to really play and see what it could do.

If you can get one. I have a few more experiments like this to do, I think this one is a big deal.

[mnpracing]

great information, thanks again for doing this, and sharing!

[cday76]

Very nice video and great info! I've got a Z3 with AVX, it's a real game changer and creates an amazing fully customizable wave. We frequently surf with just two people (legal with a mirror in Austin TX) and the wave is just as good with an empty boat as it is loaded down. We did upgrade the sacs like you did, 200 extra on goofy side and 350 on regular. That was just the right amount to take the wash off the lip with only a driver in the boat.

Also thanks for posting the fuel consumption. Nobody ever believes how little fuel a Tige uses. If everyone had a better understanding of aerodynamics and fluid dynamics they would buy a Tige over any other brand. If people only knew that some of these "surf systems" mega drag boats burned upwards of 10 gph they would definitely think twice about their purchase. Keep putting out the great videos!

[ragboy]

Yes, the little bit of extra weight seems to give you the flexibility to go from loaded to almost empty, where Surf XL is just not quite enough, but very close. Surf XL is great when you have a few people, and I think the best stock weight I have seen.

The fuel consumption is blowing me away I am keeping a spreadsheet and all receipts of every hour, because this is amazing. The PCM 409 averaged 4.5 - 5.5. This raptor 400 is averaging 3-3.5 and I am not joking or exaggerating. I am just now broken in, and I am seeing that. That is a significant increase in economy and the Raptor 400 feels like it has more torque. I loved my PCM engine, I never had any complaints and thought it was very efficient, I just did not think what I am seeing now was even possible.

We had 9 people in the boat all day today with 3600 lbs of ballast or so and choppy conditions and I never sensed ANY kind of lug or cavitation. The PCM would burp occasionally on a day like today, not the Indmar.

I'm dying if I'm lying. ;-)

Feel free to take a look at my spreadsheet, it will stay up to date, I have pictures of all receipts if you want to see them.

[ragboy]

And I should have pasted this.

https://docs.google.com/a/wake9.com/...it?usp=sharing

[jslayde1]

Dang it Robert! --> you are really making me want the AVX...

Hunter's air is sick!

[Greeko]

Thanks for the updates Robert.

Seems like the ticket is Taps 2-3 and Avx between 5-8.

We have been running taps at 3-4 and avx between 3-5.

I am stoked to try out the difference.

[ragboy]

@greeko we have found that you don't want to move taps much. Of course, do whatever works for you, but try it like this and see if its better...

Keep taps at 2-3. Start AVX at 8 and list around 7-8 when at surf speed, sometimes 8-9 on goofy side. If the curl is too huge, try moving some people weight forward a bit. I usually drive, or sit around the observer area, not in the corner. So if you are at taps 2 and avx 8 and you want a bit steeper, put taps at 3. If they want a bit more steep, put avx at 9 and taps at 2. Next steep step is 9 and 3, then 10 and 2. Get it? The taps changes are like half steps and the AVX is a full step.

I have actually suggested to Tige that they make a Surf Auto mode in the software so that if you turn Surf Auto on, it links the taps and AVX together like I just said and so all you do is use the TAPS button on the throttle up or down for steeper/shallower and let the computer make those steps for you, it would make the whole thing much more easy to understand. At first, its a bit daunting, feels like too many settings, but once you figure it out, its super easy and you can always quickly find the wave.

Let me know how that works for you, curious if it translates to your boat as well.

[Greeko]

@greeko we have found that you don't want to move taps much. Of course, do whatever works for you, but try it like this and see if its better...

Keep taps at 2-3. Start AVX at 8 and list around 7-8 when at surf speed, sometimes 8-9 on goofy side. If the curl is too huge, try moving some people weight forward a bit. I usually drive, or sit around the observer area, not in the corner. So if you are at taps 2 and avx 8 and you want a bit steeper, put taps at 3. If they want a bit more steep, put avx at 9 and taps at 2. Next steep step is 9 and 3, then 10 and 2. Get it? The taps changes are like half steps and the AVX is a full step.

I have actually suggested to Tige that they make a Surf Auto mode in the software so that if you turn Surf Auto on, it links the taps and AVX together like I just said and so all you do is use the TAPS button on the throttle up or down for steeper/shallower and let the computer make those steps for you, it would make the whole thing much more easy to understand. At first, its a bit daunting, feels like too many settings, but once you figure it out, its super easy and you can always quickly find the wave.

Let me know how that works for you, curious if it translates to your boat as well.

Thanks for the insight Ragboy!

I will be playing around with it this weekend. I will try and post some pics after I am done. I understand what your laying down. I was just a little concerned that the taps would "squash" the wave and take out too much push. I guess the Tige is different than my old MB.

So at what AVX level did you find it the back end would feel the suction of the Coanda effect optimally?

[ragboy]

8 and above mostly. Get a nice wake with AVX around 9 and going 11.2 to 11.4, get a nice feel for it. Then speed up to 11.8 or so and watch and feel the wake get a bit bigger, longer, more push and much harder. If you can get air, try it like that. You will have more speed and the board will release from the top of the wave without sticking to it, you will launch. It seems to defy logic, faster is supposed to mean smaller wave, longer, and less push. Not with the AVX.

Engaging the taps helps keep the wake clean.

[Greeko]

8 and above mostly. Get a nice wake with AVX around 9 and going 11.2 to 11.4, get a nice feel for it. Then speed up to 11.8 or so and watch and feel the wake get a bit bigger, longer, more push and much harder. If you can get air, try it like that. You will have more speed and the board will release from the top of the wave without sticking to it, you will launch. It seems to defy logic, faster is supposed to mean smaller wave, longer, and less push. Not with the AVX.

Engaging the taps helps keep the wake clean.

Awesome!!! Thanks Ragboy. I am excited to try this out!

I have used some lead to add 350 lbs of weight to the surf side rear locker underneath the bag. Is this good placement?

[ragboy]

If the wake seems too steep, or you can't get the curl from being to huge, try only 200 there and move the extra 150 or so farther forward.

[Greeko]

Thanks Ragboy!

Stoked to experiment with this!

[Phillips]

Ragboy,

I have a 15 Z3 has everything but the surf link what is the best way to run the perfect surf taps weight everything Thx

[ragboy]

Assuming you have the Surf XL package, then run with all full up front, and full in surf corner rear, and about 50% opposite rear. Sit you people down giving more weight to the surf corner and surf side.

Then go 11.4 or so MPH and see how the wake looks with AVX at 8 and taps at 2 or 3. What is the lean on the dash? Is the wake clean? If the wake is not quite clean adjust people or remove opposite side weight til you are about 8-9 on goofy, and 7-8 on regular. It should clean up around then. The trick for the best wake is to only list as much as you need to make a clean wake, no more. If you are already clean and listing good, thank the fat guy in your boat and then add some more opposite weight until it gets dirty and back off some when it starts to froth up.

SURF!

Adjust AVX up and down with taps how I described to greeko, that should work great for you. We have had the AVX as low as 5 & 6 for some riders that like REALLY mellow, but most ride from 7-9.