Trim Tabs Call Out.

[Wakeman22]

Ok. With the release of the RZX and the taps 3 system we all see what is done with the "trim tabs" on the back. Many of us have tossed around the idea of fabricating tabs to help in the surf wake formation. I know some have the tab systems the ordered in hand from the thought years ago. So who is going to retrofit some onto their hulls? I think this is a way to help our older boats out. It will be very interesting to see if we can get it to work and how best to accomplish it.

So I am challenging those who tinker with their boats and this kind of system to get after it and let's have a discussion here about it.

[dj2]

I am seriously considering this as a winter project. Looking at using Lenco tabs because electric will be much easier than hydraulic. The biggest problems I see are shaping the tabs and getting them mounted to the transom of my 08 RZ4 since it is not flat. I would be doing it more for convenience of switching between the goofy and regular riders I have with me. When I drive 3 hours to a lake for a weekend I want as much time behind the boat as possible.

[Captainkurk72]

I had a chance to look at a rzx on Tuesday and what a nice boat. Until I win the lottery or become the CEO of my work I won't be able to buy one.
The tabs do not hinge at the transom but about 6 inches from it. It's a trim tab that is hinged in the middle and is shaped such that "grabs" when deployed. They are a more simple design than the GoSurfAssist tabs and could be DIY by most. I look forward to seeing what the DIY guys do here.


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[Wakeman22]

Points of interest I see are...

1. Getting the correct mounting to the transom.
2. Getting the actuator to be at the correct angle and attachment point to provide plenty of travel.
3. Getting the correct bends and shape of the tab itself to maximize list of the boat and shape of the wave.

Although these are the main challenges each in itself do not seem to be that hard to accomplish. Yet overall the correct placement and size seems to be what is holding me up in springing for some Lenco or Bennett systems.

Who in this group of TO's have already tried tabs? It seems I remember some doing it a year or two ago.

[Timmy!]

The other thing that you have to consider is that the TAPS 3 version is much faster than a standard trim tab and that is what allows it to switch sides in under 3 seconds.

[Z3CO23]

I actually called the guys at Wakemakers to pick their brains about the go surf assist. They said that units are not shipping yet, but they are taking orders. Shipments should start going out in the next few weeks. From my conversation with them, it seems like a DIY friendly install. They also said it would be a piece of cake for any boat dealer to install in nothing flat..... there's obviously a cost to this. As many of you have seen the price is $3999. Pricey but it is cheaper than a new boat. I would be curious to see what someone could replicate (go surf assist or something like the taps 3 design) who has access to a CNC machine or CAD.

[talltigeguy]

With a cardboard mockup and some velcro, I think a guy could get the right locations, size, and actuator mounting points without too much trouble.

With the TAPS 3 actuator being located on the swimstep, I do wonder if the swim step is designed to handle that much force on the older boats. And I am hoping that Tige thought of that when putting it there in the first place. I am hopeful that we will not see a rash of 2016 swimstep mounting bracket failures in some fashion. Some of the older Tige swimsteps have brackets that are quite flexible and bounce quite a bit with just one person on them. This would not be ideal.

[Winetige]

I am also looking at go surf assist for my z1. Right now I use a diy surfgate goofy surfing and it works way better than my buddies 2014 z1 with convex vx (my 13 does not have a vx). No more heaving listing with the diy surfgate! I recently found a used vx for my boat but for $3000, i think that its better money spent on the go surf assist.

[Wakeman22]

So here is an interesting thing that happened while out surfing yesterday that backs up the desire to have a quick change system.

While my buddy was surfing he came charging up on the back of the boat real fast. He had a lot of speed and was afraid of slamming into the swim platform so he took the way out. He flew over the wave in control to the goofy side and had plenty of speed to still continue surfing. At that point I instinctually tried to get the wave to build on the port side. He continued for a while and started pumping. I was turning the boat and looking for the switches and any thing else to set a new wave (I have spent time on a G25) however there was nothing I could do. As a beginner he had plenty of speed and ability to have made a switch and continue but there was no wave to grab. All this was off the rope.

I need a surf system!!!

[duffymahoney]

I just wish the surf system wave was better.