Taps 3 retrofit

[freeheel4life]

Ya, going in on almost 1k worth of reversibles right out the gate is a bit hard to chew on plus new thru hulls and hose. Just think though you could be 6 to 7 minutes off the lift . Really don't think it would be that hard though as far as skill. You would literally just have to crimp on two Duestch pins for each pump and stick em in the PDM connectors until it click into place. Don't even have to de-pin the connector. I say that all now after never having done it though. But the pumps are just behind carpeted panels at transom. Three whole screws to access them and the PDM. Drill out three new thru hulls and run your hose. Not a super tough install I would think. I imagine you are not running huge bow weight either so you could probably add just 2 for those 1300s in the rear. Just thinking out loud...and its always easy to theoretically spend other peoples money.

[dakota4ce]

The plumbing on the fill side with the subfloor tank/bag combo actually looked a little confusing at first glance. I am not exactly sure how it’s plumbed! I have had the entire lockers apart a couple times—FAE install and “hiding” 100# lead behind the rear wall on both sides.


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[dakota4ce]

I don’t want to do it anyway. I am tired of boat mods.


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[Germaine Marine]

Is that assuming you are buying just a GSA plate? or making your own? I dont doubt your fab skills but I think doing your own plate doesent solve the "plate shape" dilemma. Getting it close and having an actual GSA plate are drastically different and put us right back to square one in terms of what we were discussing.

If you are referencing using his plates (assuming he would sell you just the plate) your going to spend 1200-1500. Throw in Lenco Short Throw XD's and you are now at another 450-500...

His system is prob only 32-3300. 1200 to have a full computer system which gives you *CONSISTENT* regulated power to the actuators as well remote powered switching, precise plate deployment as well as neat functions like auto launch etc seems like the only way to go....

I just dont see the big savings there when you start adding the parts together.

Now, if you are going to scrounge one if his plates somewhere and break it down and knockoff a set of your own and tig them together then maybe I see a small savings...

[Germaine Marine]

AutoWake 2018 is sounding like the real deal on the big Supras. The 6 pump system and draft sensor really sound like they change the way it works dramatically.

Sounds like a lot of 2017 folks don’t really make great use of it, but 2018 will be more likely to.


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So are the new plates... which look an awful lot like Taps3 plates in regard to shape and an extended longer running surface portion with a hinge.... Anyone who questions the Taps3 system should look no further then Supra taking a page out of their book.....nearly an identical page. lol

2017 Model Year
17 Supra plates.png


2018 Model Year
18 Supra plates rear.png
18 supra plates side.png

[freeheel4life]

So are the new plates... which look an awful lot like Taps3 plates in regard to shape and an extended longer running surface portion with a hinge.... Anyone who questions the Taps3 system should look no further then Supra taking a page out of their book.....nearly an identical page. lol ]

Meh, while they did make em bigger and stainless I would say they are not a copy of taps 3. No 90* turn down at read edge of plate, no bends at inside of centerline with that little pocket that has and angled piece of stainless inside it. Not to mention they have been running plates when Tige was still running the VX and AVX, and never mounted actuators to swim platform. Always transom. So one could argue that Tige ditched their surf platform and took a page from SC. All a matter of perspective.

Ps ignore stitch weld failure

[Germaine Marine]

Free, moving to a center hinged plate with more running surface with a shape more similar to taps 3 then their own design in 17 is absolutely glaring.

Ive had both plates off boats side by side, including a 17. The shape differences between 17-18 and the similarties now to tige, while not exact is pretty interesting.

Its a drastic departure from 17. And its seen in performance.

[Germaine Marine]

Go take a 17 plate off and put it side by side. Then go take a taps 3 plate off and put all three together. Put taps 3 in the middle. Its pretty interesting.

[Germaine Marine]

Im not saying its an exact carbon copy of taps 3, but I would bet a huge amount that it was used for the redesign.

[freeheel4life]

Would have to look closer at a 17 plate. Haven't had to take any SC plates off because they haven't had issues. Had lots of taps3 plates off tho...
Curious what you are meaning by center hinge. Are meaning that they moved hinge on plate further from the transom??

[Germaine Marine]

Yes sir,

They also kicked the plates in at nearly the same angle as Taps3. Again, had them in my hand... Its pretty awesome.

Nothing wrong with it, 18s are surfing like monsters. Just interesting to see.

[dakota4ce]

The ‘17 Swell plate and the ‘18 Swell plate—the articulating part—are almost identical. Like 98% overlay identical. They adjusted the “middle” stationary part to make them more angled relative to the transom.

I can probably find a pic.

I have a paper overlay of the 18 plate, as I contemplated adjusting them to match. However, through the help of some other dedicated Supra heads in CA, have decided not to. The goofy side wave is cleaner, but the overall performance is very similar. And their testing revealed that slammed weights showed little to no ultimate difference between Swell 2 and 3. The thing that has improved is transfers. That works much better.


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[dakota4ce]

Here you have a cardboard traced copy of Swell 3. Then a factory Swell 2 plate sitting right on top of that same cardboard Swell 3 plate—with the hinge running along the depicted hinge on the Swell 3 plate (hinges lined up).

Pretty much same plate. The difference is the “middle” non-articulating part of the plate, as you can see. The angle change is significant, but running surface, size, etc is quite similar.

The tester I referenced made a copy of Swell 3, mounted it and tested it on an SG. Stock weight and slammed weight, and ultimately decided to remove and revert to stock Swell 2 after the test.

He did say transfers worked better. Clean both sides level weight.


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[Jetdriver]

All this is very interesting info. I’m curious about the GSA system. Didn’t The German mount a GSA on his 24VE with little success? I can’t remember what the outcome of that was, whether he kept it on or removed the system.
I’m also curious as to Tige’s plate development between models. Are the taps 3 plates the same on different boats? IE: RZ2, Z3, etc... Not including the new RZX series, I’ve heard those are larger.
I’m guessing the mounting location is also key to success with any of these plates.

[dakota4ce]

Taps 3 retrofit

German had initial struggles, then found success with adequate weight if I recall. He left the system on I believe.

I had GSA on a F24 Tomcat and had a great wave.

Most GSA customers appear to be ticked pink once they’re dialed in.

Are the RZX plates larger? I didn’t know that. 575 Just ordered a 2018 and I think he was told it’s all the same as his 2016.

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