X-Star rider trying my Tige says there's a hole grabbing front of board

[auburntigegal]

So my Master Craft X-Star cousin rode in my boat for the first time this weekend (along with some other good surfers). First time on a Tige for everyone except me (and I'm brand new). We filled front and rear left ballast, had 4 riders in back left, 1 driver. Pulled at 11.5-12.0 with Taps anywhere from 5 to 1. They said they felt like there was a "hole" sort of closer to the boat that wanted to "grab" the front of the board when you give the board a little gas with your left front foot. They figured it out and did pretty good and liked the boat and the long wake (said they can surf a lot further back than on the X-Star). But I think that's what I'm having trouble with, just learning. When I drift back a little, then try to move back closer to the boat to catch back up, the front of my board goes down and I fall. Any one got any tips?

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Take some wake pics and show us the "hole".. then maybe someone can give up some ideas on a fix. It might just be the swimstep... or something simple.

[auburntigegal]

I'll try and get some pics this weekend. I myself don't see the "hole".

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

But you feel it? The hole I mean... umm never mind. This thread just went south.

My bad.

[Duncan]

Perhaps they feel like the wave is much steeper than waves they are used to. If so, moving forward on the wave will feel like you are falling down into a hole a lot faster.

If the wave is too steep, you can length your pocket (and decrease rampiness at the expense of some wave height) by decreasing taps; adding bow weight; and/or speeding up a little (though mid-12 mph is about the max we go).

Because they can surf farther back, your wave pocket is probably already longer than they are used to.

Perhaps the wave is simply larger than they are used to. We have had experienced wakesurfers almost go into shock when they see the size of the wave forming behind them (one girl squawked in alarm and immediately bailed think something was wrong).

Good luck!

[NICKYPOO]

You mean they didn't blame your driving? Hmmph, men right? Always finding something to bitch about.

Pics would go along way in solving your hole issue. Could it be (asking everyone here) that there is too much speed? Too much bow weight? Too much TAPS? I'm not sure because I don't know that particular boat but, going by you description, I would guess the pocket is too long. First thing I would try is dropping the speed by 1mph and work my way back up ant try get a clean, consistent face instead of trying to create the super long pocket. However, I'm not that smart and more than likely wrong.

[wallacmc]

Perhaps they feel like the wave is much steeper than waves they are used to. If so, moving forward on the wave will feel like you are falling down into a hole a lot faster.

If the wave is too steep, you can length your pocket (and decrease rampiness at the expense of some wave height) by decreasing taps; adding bow weight; and/or speeding up a little (though mid-12 mph is about the max we go).

Because they can surf farther back, your wave pocket is probably already longer than they are used to.

Perhaps the wave is simply larger than they are used to. We have had experienced wakesurfers almost go into shock when they see the size of the wave forming behind them (one girl squawked in alarm and immediately bailed think something was wrong).

Good luck!

I agree with this analysis. After adding Chpthrl's sac we are now working on the right combination of factors to get the right wave becuase the wave gets so steep. I bet this is the "problem". I'd take a couple of your peeps and put them in the bow on the wave side or speed up the boat. Just know that then you'll have to rework your taps to clean things up.

[auburntigegal]

They drove and played with taps and speed. The guy who did the best - he could like a 180, liked it on 12.4 and taps on 1. I was riding without the rope on my 3rd day of trying with taps on 4 and 11.4, but pretty much every time i went down it was because the front of the board went under OR the heelside (but i fixed that by moving my feet more toeside).

[NICKYPOO]

Are the 2010 platforms of the newest shape, cut for surfing.

We need pics girl.

[ragboy]

Take some video, but that sounds more like a combination of a steeper wave, and a nose diving board. The tige wake has a nice transition, but its a steeper wake, and some board, when coming down the wake, you have to get your weight on the back of the board. Some boards are more sensitive. RJ had to work harder with the fly boy when he first got it, the board can pearl when he came down from his airs, but just learned to keep more weight on the back. Thats just an example. If you are pearling when just "catching up" to the boat, and not when coming down the wake, then you may need a bigger, or different board. What kind of board are you riding?

Some boards are also not fast enough, or you weigh to much for it, and slowing the boat down a bit, try just .4 mph to start, can help.

^^^^

All a bunch of great stuff we have learned from having Dennis on board with us so many times. ;-) So if he says something different, listen to him first.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Rag... NEVER talk about a girls weight.. EVER. (especially don't illude to the fact she might be "too heavy for the board".) Bad no-no... and worthy of slappage.

[auburntigegal]

No problems dudes! I'm a buff 135, all muscle - all the girls on the boat wish they could copy my swagger!
I'm riding the CWB ride. My husband is 180 and riding it too and it looks like it's sitting deep with him on it, but sits great for me.
I did ride behind the X-Star and rode a green and white hyperlite board (sorry - not sure the name). It was wider and longer than mine and I actually managed alot better on that ride.

[ragboy]

lol, I humbly apologize.

I have never been out with a CWB ride, but I do know lots of people that have listed that board as they moved to a better one.

A TWP Signature model would probably be a good board if you like surf style. They are good performance fast, responsive board, but also forgiving for a performance board.

A 4.5 would probably work OK for both of you at those stated "masses". ;-)

[Timmy!]

I have a CWB Ride and I'm 195 lbs. That board is very slow but we were able to free ride that board behind my RZ2 with the old platform and no ballast at all, just 1 person on the surf side. The key to that board is to have your front foot in front of the diamond that is in the traction if you are 165+ and if less than that, have your foot right in the middle of it. Prior to this season, that was our "teach everyone how to ride" board so I have a lot of experience with it. With 400lbs of ballast that board is pretty easy to free ride, with 800+ I have had people learn and free ride it the first day and have never heard someone say that there was a hole in the wave, that's kind of weird. I don't think the RZ has that steep of a wake compared to other boats I have surfed behind.

[Surfdad]

Second what Timmy said. In the OP: 12 mph?! That's kinda fast for that board. Will the wake form at 10+'ish mph? I'd bet the "hole" and pearling issue disappear with a little less speed.