My design for a TAPS3-VX

[CarFanatic]

I have a 2014 z3 with version 3 vx. I ride at 12 mph, the wave is long clean and has plenty of push. I am running wake 9's bags and taps plate. I would be very hard to convince there's a better wave out there over the wave I have now.

[JohnnieMo]

I have a 2014 z3 with version 3 vx. I ride at 12 mph, the wave is long clean and has plenty of push. I am running wake 9's bags and taps plate. I would be very hard to convince there's a better wave out there over the wave I have now.

Do you have any pics or comparables between the Version 2 and Version 3 Vx brackets? I want to update mine but I don't think it is something you can undo.

Did your Vx require any fiberglass alterations when you switched?

[CarFanatic]

yes, had to cut the vx for the new angle. the difference between what I had stock, which was version 2, and now is huge. wave is much bigger, and I can run faster and wave just stays perfect, with great push.

here is stock wave when new. with wake 9 bags


here is a pic from last weekend, not the best comparison, but all I got right now. modified vx, wake 9 taps plate and bags


here is 2 videos one of each side. running at 11.6 mph. taps 5
goofy
https://youtu.be/96K7_mDwrHc

regular
https://youtu.be/GbcGbDxftGg

[JohnnieMo]

Great vids. What kind of board are you riding?

Well your boat is basically the same as mine. I also have the Wake9 bags and the Wake9 TAPS plate. I just need the revised brackets. I asked the dealer to get me a quote and they had no idea what I was talking about.

As for cutting the Vx, I had to do that also when I went from Rev 1 to Rev 2. However it occurs like if I cut it any further, I will need to re-fiberglass the edge. It is hollow on the inside, and I am running out of material to cut. Can you confirm if that is what you did? Or was it as simple as a jig saw and a belt sander?

[CarFanatic]

my dealer cut mine. they reglassed the edge. Board is a doomswell Neo in the goofy video. green one is a victoria skim

[JohnnieMo]

Wow, your dealer has a pretty rough and tumble looking workshop!!

I haven't fiber-glassed anything since my car audio days. Looks like it is time to bust out the resin again. Should be a fun winter project.

[BJM]

Great looking wave and riding but I have to ask. Why the one shoe in the first video?

Billy

[CarFanatic]

One shoe is all the rage, helps for bigger air!! JK! my foot had a open blister on the bottom... shoe was cushion!

[CarFanatic]

Wow, your dealer has a pretty rough and tumble looking workshop!!

I haven't fiber-glassed anything since my car audio days. Looks like it is time to bust out the resin again. Should be a fun winter project.

it was a new shop building they hadn't finished the inside yet!

[BJM]

Makes sense. That is dedication to surfing. I like it.

[CarFanatic]

Makes sense. That is dedication to surfing. I like it.

I like to think of it as hard core dedication... My wife just says I have a problem.....

[JohnnieMo]

Well I got my hands on the aluminum handle. It was almost $70 unfortunately. Much cheaper than a new boat I tell myself.



In other news apparently my motor was out of alignment severely and that was why I was getting a vibration when heavily sacked. Not sure why it happened or whether or not it is covered under warranty.

With this fixed I'm eager to see how both the suck gate and the tab work out. With some luck I might get some testing in this weekend.

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[JohnnieMo]

So here is my update after some testing. In summary I've learned that the tab is a nice 'accent' to the wave but won't do it alone.

As I noted previously the wave changes shape when using this tab. I think I know why. The tab pushes the water down and into the middle of the wave. This creates a more shallow transition. I observed this in earlier tests also.



This image is with the tab at about 30 deg deflection.

I found for the tab to be effective you could also use it up to about 20 deg. So it could be used to "tweak" the listed wave but would not create a good wave alone.

I think I see why Tigé put an inward hook in the TAPS3 plates. It pushes the water out just enough that it doesn't swell into your transition.

I also tested with my homemade suck gate. Results were better. It accentuated the listed wave nicely although wouldn't work evenly weighted .




At this stage I'm a bit lost on what to do. I have three options:

1) Do a proper TAPS3 retrofit and ditch the Vx.

2) Keep listing as is and and add the suck gate.

3) Proceed as planned. This will require more R&D as I need to find the right tab shape.

At this point the only reason to proceed is the need to correct my "chine lock" at speed. Given I'm rarely ever at speed this seems silly. The secondary advantage is reduced fuel usage but that is theoretical at this point.

Summer is coming to a close and I will need to figure out which winter project to do!



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[JohnnieMo]

I like to think of it as hard core dedication... My wife just says I have a problem.....

Hey carfanatic: have you tried a suck gate on your boat? I ask because you and I have very similar boats with wake9 bags and plates. I found the suck gate added some push and length to my wave.

If you get a chance, try it. I'd like to hear your result. I found it compensated for smaller crews. (I assume it would still help with a bigger crew)

--

I did some baseline testing of my tab. Will compile the video soon.

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[UNSTUCK]

I think I have enough material from my taps21 project to make you ( or anyone else ) some almost exact replica rzx taps 3 tabs. I could put a whole package together as well, now that I know all the right lenco part numbers. It can be done WAY cheaper than what's out on the market.