A little late to the surf gate game but gave it a try and what a pleasure it is to be able to relatively even weight in the boat while surfing. Plus to switch sides by just placing a surf gate on other side, saves time when trying to account for everyones preferences. I was afraid to try any of the suck gate types after my complete boat wrap failure couple of years ago.
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I have not had a bit of problems with the wrap since they replaced it, but do not want to push my luck. I went with the surf gate off the swim platform.
RMq8GtUoTU6czUFL48dXnA.jpgWTN+v4ZGTs+Avxr44hiGcg.jpg
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I am still not sure of the best size. The adjustable angle works great. On windy days out on the California Delta, if the angle is above 15 degrees, steering in the narrow water ways with the wind is almost impossible. If I keep the gate to 15 degrees or less, it becomes reasonable. My kids were skeptical about the surf gate and the even weight in the boat until I put it on and increased the angle of the gate. Then I did not even have a chance to evaluate changes because they were fighting to use the wave. This has expanded the use of our older boat significantly.
Thanks to all on this forum that did this before me, I stand on your accomplishments. Next season I want to place actuators on each side to maximize the surf gate affect and be able to retract them to allow for better maneuverability.
My next project has to the plumbing the ballast. The pump and hose over the side looses too much of our time on the water.
Does anyone have any recommendations to the current shape or size of my surf gate?
IMG_76721.jpg
I have not had a bit of problems with the wrap since they replaced it, but do not want to push my luck. I went with the surf gate off the swim platform.
RMq8GtUoTU6czUFL48dXnA.jpgWTN+v4ZGTs+Avxr44hiGcg.jpg
vi3Q17AxTkqCMxX9YOxwhw.jpg
I am still not sure of the best size. The adjustable angle works great. On windy days out on the California Delta, if the angle is above 15 degrees, steering in the narrow water ways with the wind is almost impossible. If I keep the gate to 15 degrees or less, it becomes reasonable. My kids were skeptical about the surf gate and the even weight in the boat until I put it on and increased the angle of the gate. Then I did not even have a chance to evaluate changes because they were fighting to use the wave. This has expanded the use of our older boat significantly.
Thanks to all on this forum that did this before me, I stand on your accomplishments. Next season I want to place actuators on each side to maximize the surf gate affect and be able to retract them to allow for better maneuverability.
My next project has to the plumbing the ballast. The pump and hose over the side looses too much of our time on the water.
Does anyone have any recommendations to the current shape or size of my surf gate?
7 deg was the sweet spot for me. I have found that you can make that gate really small and still get the results you are looking for. Also, if you taper the gate up towards the swim deck from the transom you will improve your steering, maybe 2-3" of taper upwards. I have also tried a suck gate and found that I got less push from the wave vs the swim deck option using the exact same ballast setup.
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