Replacing Teak

[somebodyelse5]

We have enough weight in the boat while surfing that the teak drags and kills the lip, What do you guys do to fix this? I dont really wanna cut it, but teak is expensive and would cost alot to build another one. The waves lip being like this is really getting old.

Any solutions? Pictures of what you guys have done? I know some people have done this, just dont remember who it was.

[dingleberry]

Well, ragboy did a whole new platform from thick plate aluminum, switching from his '08 Ve fiberglass platform. Very pricy due to material and machining (plus all his time involved with R&D), but he thinks it made a huge difference.

Also, Matt Garcia just posted about switching from his '07 fiberglass to a new '10 fiberglass version. He also says it made a big difference.

I'm not sure about any that have switched from teak.

[somebodyelse5]

Well, ragboy did a whole new platform from thick plate aluminum, switching from his '08 Ve fiberglass platform. Very pricy due to material and machining (plus all his time involved with R&D), but he thinks it made a huge difference.

Also, Matt Garcia just posted about switching from his '07 fiberglass to a new '10 fiberglass version. He also says it made a big difference.

I'm not sure about any that have switched from teak.

Were they recent threads? I did a search and didnt come up with anything.

Its really killing the lip on our wave, ragboy had told me that was the problem with our wave just havent gotten around to fixing it.

Have any pics of the new platform made from aluminum?

[dingleberry]

Matt just updated his swap today (at the end of the thread): http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11740

I remember reading about ragboy's, but I couldn't find it via search.

[dingleberry]

Aha!!! Here is the thread about's ragboy's R&D and swap:
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...minum+platform

Of course, his boat is for sale, and you could buy the whole enchilada from him

[somebodyelse5]

haaa wish I could, but am working on scraping the change for just the platform lol.

Thanks for diggin those up for me! really appreciate it. I link I have an idea, really simple, and basically will be a platform thats just big enough to use to get back in the boat.

[TeamAllen]

Good luck. How about removing the teak and try using an inexpensive piece of plywood for the R&D?
I would think a sheet of 3/4" would do it?

[somebodyelse5]

Good luck. How about removing the teak and try using an inexpensive piece of plywood for the R&D?
I would think a sheet of 3/4" would do it?

Idk if it would hold up, would definitely need a few heavy coats of marine varnish. I think we have an idea worked out to basically use aluminum, but not a solid piece machined like ragboy did (thats expensive)

We know a guy who can weld aluminum and get it for pretty cheap. so thats the plan as of right now! Id build one in solidworks but i dont have the program anymore, damn student trials!

[TeamAllen]

I'm not talking use the plywood permanently. Just use it to get the shape you need then either reshape the teak or make a new one to match, out of fiberglass, metal or whatever?

[ragboy]

Plywood will work. That is how we tested. The only thing to make sure is that you THROUGH BOLT the plywood to the mounts. I used aluminum, cuz its smooth, and wanted it strong, and didn't mind the extra weight. Remember that the fiberglass has the ridge around the outside for strength, so going smooth, make sure you use something strong enough.

I have seen with others, teak usually does not cut into the wake. The new 2010 RZ2 platform, is MUCH better than the 2007-8 one, but it still does cut in a bit.

Definitely do the plywood test, cheap way to see if smooth will make the wake better, and you can cheaply try different shapes.

[somebodyelse5]

I think we are gonna pull the platform off, just to prove to test and be sure thats what it is. Not that I dont believe you guys, but its partly to prove to the rest of the family.

Ragboy, if you dont mind me askin, how much was that aluminum platform, all said and done?

[ragboy]

I think it was around $1200 cost in materials, and labor to pay my dad and the CNC shop and stuff.

[somebodyelse5]

I think it was around $1200 cost in materials, and labor to pay my dad and the CNC shop and stuff.

Damn thats expensive. I think we might build one, just weld the aluminum together. Will let you guys know what ends up happening

[Joeprunc]

What about installing 1 or 2 inch blocks between your teak ski deck and your brackets? Like a body lift for a truck. This might just lift your deck enough where it doesn't make contact with the wake. Definitely cheaper than a custom deck.

[ragboy]

lifting is not a good idea, better to sink it. If you lift it, it will skim surface more, and then cause more impact.