XL Ballast Questions

[nmriordan]

We are considering a new Tige purchase that is currently outfitted with the XL Ballast Option – 3,000 LB’s I’m told. It’s a 2016 R21 (no AVX, just Taps 3) and I have not yet had the chance to crawl around one to see exactly where the bags are set up and how the plumbing is run.

My question is: will the XL ballast as it comes from the factory be sufficient for recreational surfing? Additionally, I’ve read about issues with bags not fully draining as well as those who are concerned that the Tige proprietary sacs don’t allow for backup emptying with a Tsunami pump (in the case of a pump failure).

Can anyone weigh in on this for me as we consider some different boat options?

XL Ballast sounds like more than enough since we’re coming from a 20v that doesn’t take a whole lot currently, but I know this Z1 hull is different. Also, the boat really will stay on one lake so I’m not worried about having issues with laws regulating fully-drained sacs, but would like to avoid having extra weight in the boat when we’re not surfing (still like to slalom). Also, I would like to have a way to drain the sacs in the situation where a pump has failed.

Honestly, if we wind up buying new I would be incredibly disappointed if I had to install a custom ballast system or even just complete some modifications. That said, I definitely want to be making an informed decision if we proceed with the purchase rather than finding out after-the-fact that I’m going to have to make some mods to get it to where we want it.

As always, thanks for the help!

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[007]

1. Yes, the XL bag will be sufficient for recreational surfing, especially with Taps 3 instead of the AVX. The VX and AVX boats liked a little more weight to push out a stellar wave.
2. Don't get too stressed out about the bags not connecting to a tsunami pump or bags not fully draining. I think any real issues there are relatively small in number. The pumps are on timers and you can adjust how long they run. Sometimes your timers are off, or rarely the pump didn't prime as fast as it should and you have a little left in the bag. You to hit the "empty all" button a couple of times between running and at rest to squeeze any last bit out, but my Z3 "X" bags pump down nice and flat. Much more likely, at some point you'll just forget to empty a bag until its on the lift or trailer, or you just notice a list. That problem is solved with the press of a button.

[007]

For comparison purposes, here is a wake photo. This photo is my wife surfing goofy side, stock "Surf X" ballast, AVX, 100% full starboard, minimal offsite weight and 2 people on the boat. The Taps 3 system should be a fairly comparable wave, so if you can surf this, you will be plenty fine. If you like a boat full of people, that makes the wave even better (when they are properly placed).

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[Scrib]

FYI I started the thread about the ballast drain and not having a secondary option to drain your bags. I have the xl ballast in my boat as well. I would buy another Tige tomorrow if I needed another boat. I am 100% Tige and would not let that discussion scare you away.