Surf Wave without ballast

[chadsanchez]

Is it possible to get a good enough wave to surf behind a Z1 or RZ2 without filling ballast? We live on a lake that doesn't allow ballast tanks to be filled. Thanks in advance ...

[chpthril]

no

[chadsanchez]

I'm not looking for advanced wave or anything ... I will be trying to teach my 3 year old how to surf next year.

[chpthril]

30 lb 3 year old is far different from a 200 lb fat arse like me. With good skills and the right board, one could surf behind a 22 ft Carolina skiff outboard..............but it would be a lot of work.

Learning to surf is 100 degrees opposite from wake boarding. Surfing, you want as big a wave with lots of push for learning. Boarding, you want a small wake.

[chadsanchez]

You make a very good point ... Thanks. It sucks about the "no ballast" rule ... But a beautiful lake ... All boats need ballast for a good wave then huh?

[BStoner]

If I can surf behind a 20v with no ballast your son can surf behind either of those just fine.


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[Pickit]

Put all your gear in the surf side rear locker, all passengers on the surf side, and a diy suck gate on the opposite side and I bet you're going to be surprised on the results.

[killerbren]

Ive had 140 lb kids surfing behind my boat before with no ballast. I have a 22ve. Just fill it up with as many people as you can and put them all on the surf side.

[Dandy]

Is there a definition to "ballast"? If it is specific to water as ballast you could pick up some lead bags from LeadWakes or Pop Products.

[ericinmich]

Learned to surf behind an older 21v (or 2100 v, circa 1998 or so). All of us (mid 40s guys) could do it behind that boat without ballast. It helped to invite 6 or so large guys!

I'd say get some lead in the corner, maybe even a couple of large batteries, and a few large friends... should be fine!

[Bakes5]

I'm thinking a few fake batteries filled with lead.

[talltigeguy]

Then the people that run the lake will ban surfing. Usually they do it in the name of preserving the shoreline, whether that is really a problem or not. If the ban is already in place, it is going to be pretty hard to lift it. Although if the right person is about to sell out and you can convince them that opening up the pool of buyers to surfers will greatly increase the value as well, anything is possible.

[chadsanchez]

Thanks for all the input everyone ... Yeah this community is pretty solid in their bylaws ... A bunch of homeowners won't go for the ban to be lifted. Although, there are a handful of $150k super air nautiques & top Malibus ... No tige's have been spotted on the lake so I want to take the first one out there!!!

[rdg]

We have been surfing for years behind our 08 Z1 with full taps and no ballast, never a problem, add people to one side and or ballast even better

[Timmy!]

Put all your gear in the surf side rear locker, all passengers on the surf side, and a diy suck gate on the opposite side and I bet you're going to be surprised on the results.

+1. We started out like this with my RZ2 back in 2007 and learned to free ride like that. We then upgraded to 2 5 gallon buckets with lids and then eventually a full surf system. The wave isn't great but with some patience and ingenuity to get around the no ballast rule, you can still make it work.