Go Surf Assist...no such a bad idea if I really think it over!

[dakota4ce]

The more I think about these tabs, the more they begin to make sense to me. I spoke on the phone with Ryan from their company today, and he did a lot to explain to me what they can and cannot do. He was very honest, as well.

I am fairly convinced that I can make the same or even slightly better (longer) wave with my 24Ve with these tabs as I can with the monster leaning ballast setup I am running now. There is much more thoughtfulness in the design of these tabs than in many of or all of the factory systems IMHO. I asked him which hull out there seems to do best with their setup, and he said the differences are negligible. The system is tunable enough to make up for differences in hull shape.

The huge gain is in versatility. The no brainers are that quick switching is possible and transfers are also possible. Many poo-poo transfers, but I think that having that option just enhances the fun (sometimes wakesurfing seems to plateau just a bit while working to get that next threshold trick). Their transfer is fast as well--like TAPS3. Just a few seconds, controlled by remote.

The other hidden gain is actually "not a loss". If you have the ballast, you still can stow the tabs and list the crap out of the boat and run the old fashioned way. I like that too. No burned bridges.

What do you all think?

Instead of moving to the 75+ thousand dollar boat category, I can stick with my 35 thousand dollar boat, stick 4 into it, and have the net gain I would have had. Plus the list of potential used boats to buy
is infinite. Buy any V drive with half the ability to surf, and these tabs will make it surf quite well.

Thats my impression. Interested to hear yours.

[lancehon]

I'm just waiting for someone else to do it on a 22ve. 4k is an expensive guinea pig. I think it's a great idea and it looks very well thought out.

[Ochrod]

And I'm waiting for someone to put it on an RZ2. It looks like it would work well, just can't afford to be the guinea pig yet.

[IDBoating]

A smart marketing idea would be to offer a killer deal to the first of each model of boat, to gain experience and photos and a breadth of installed base. Not only that, it would eliminate the guinea pig concerns both of you are expressing.

Just a thought....

[dj2]

I volunteer an older RZ4 as tribute

[dakota4ce]

I think all of you would be surprised to find out how many boats have been outfitted with it. I called them directly to chat and see if a Ve hull had been tested with the device, and Ryan promptly sent me video and pics of a 22Ve with the devices mounted. I think a resident example of many boats are out there. Furthermore, he described how the adjustable "vector plates" are really the factor that enables good result from many different hulls.

Interestingly when I described my borderline-ultra-ballasted Ve, he was quick to admit that he could not likely make a "better" wave than I was already making, but could with great certainty make an equivalent and likely longer wave with transfer ability with a level ballast scenario. That to me is possibly all it takes to spend the cash. Really, its all I am missing.

I liked touching base with him. Opened up my eyes a bit.

[dukesofhazzard]

GET IT!!! then take video so we can all decide too.haha

[dmbisbest]

Anyone try this with a 2013 Z1 w Convex VX? Would be interested to hear thoughts.

[bluebomb78]

Can this be used in tandem with a ballast system? That is, if I've already installed a ballast system, will the combination of the two yield improved results? If not then as I understand it, I am investing $4k into being able to either slam the boat to get my best wave OR setup a decent/equally good wave with quick setup, no lean, and transfers with the tab system.

[PaceWithGrace]

Anyone try this with a 2013 Z1 w Convex VX? Would be interested to hear thoughts.

I don't think these will fit if you have the VX extension...?

[MooseX]

^ Who said that?

Did the OP say he had a video of the mounting on a tige? well...where the heck is it?

[dakota4ce]

Can this be used in tandem with a ballast system? That is, if I've already installed a ballast system, will the combination of the two yield improved results? If not then as I understand it, I am investing $4k into being able to either slam the boat to get my best wave OR setup a decent/equally good wave with quick setup, no lean, and transfers with the tab system.

I think your synopsis is correct. You will have options, although Ryan from the company said my listed wave and their evenly weighted tab-induced wave would be pretty darn similar, even predicted the tab version would be longer.

He also said that my sacs, nearly filled, with tabs would be really really impressive. I have custom, massive enzo style sacs.

[dakota4ce]

This is said to be evenly weighted with 800 in each locker on a 22Ve with the platform shimmed up 2-3" to raise it. Taken with an iphone. Thats a really pretty wave IMHO.

[duffymahoney]

Have you surfed a boat with a surf system? I would try that first. I want to see your impression. s

[mschmidt33]

Looking for a guinea pig on an RZR as well. I love my wave with custom sacs and lead but I hate listing the **** out of it! Transfer tricks would be cool too. My platform brackets are very close to the bottom of the hull so I cant really see this fitting?