Aftermarket Surf Gate

[sagmanaur]

jbgp1200:
What is the material that you used for this? I purchased the suction cup and want to make one very similar to yours (approximate dimensions on pieces?). Not sure mine will look as nice.

[jbgp1200]

IMG_6949.JPGIMG_6950.JPGIMG_6951.JPGIMG_6952.JPGIMG_6953.JPG

The material is some scrap marine lumber also known as Starboard. Tried it out tonight on a buddies 24' Supra and I think I need to make some adjustments. While it worked flawlessly, it kept coming off. (ill post a video in the Mission delta thread)

I think I need to shorten the length a about an inch. Also going to put a couple of washers under the suction levers to see if I can increase the pressure a bit.

I've heard people say that you need to clay bar the area you will be mounting it too so maybe that will help as well.

Mine has a 10 degree angle. May want to increase that to at least 11 or 12 and shorten up the plate a bit. Good luck with your build.

[ICEMANFTR]

[ATTACH]43366[/ATTACH][ATTACH]43367[/ATTACH][ATTACH]43368[/ATTACH][ATTACH]43369[/ATTACH][ATTACH]43370[/ATTACH]

The material is some scrap marine lumber also known as Starboard. Tried it out tonight on a buddies 24' Supra and I think I need to make some adjustments. While it worked flawlessly, it kept coming off. (ill post a video in the Mission delta thread)

I think I need to shorten the length a about an inch. Also going to put a couple of washers under the suction levers to see if I can increase the pressure a bit.

I've heard people say that you need to clay bar the area you will be mounting it too so maybe that will help as well.

Mine has a 10 degree angle. May want to increase that to at least 11 or 12 and shorten up the plate a bit. Good luck with your build.

From experience it is the HOD handle. The suction on that one isn't very strong in comparison to aluminum one on Amazon or even harbor freight model. I have used all three.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jbgp1200]

I don't think the diameter of the suction cups is any different. Going to add a washer or 2 under the lever to see if I can get a bit more hold out of them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jbgp1200]

Just thought of something. Mine has a bit of flex to it where the mission delta being an injection mold I bet has no flex in the main body of it. I would bet that tiny amount of flex could be contributing to it being pulled away from the boat and releasing the suction. I ams sure that the ones everyone is making using metal shelf brackets have zero flex to them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UNSTUCK]

I sprayed Brake Kleen on the area that my suction cups would stick to. I waxed/polished the boat just a few weeks before that. So I'm not sure that it helped, but is worth the try. I also noticed that the guys that are reporting trouble seem to have what looks to be heavier surf gates. I wonder what JB's weighs with that heavier looking frame, compared to the shelf hanger frame style?

Or it just might be the suction cups. I have the Amazon aluminum HOD. I noticed that the cup closer to the gate has a lever that is much harder to push down than the cup further away from the gate, indicating different levels of vacuum. Once attached, I can just barely swivel the HOD. The cup with more vacuum doesn't move, but I can just slide the other cup around. I kind of like that as I can swivel it around to change the angle of the gate if water is shooting straight up into the air.

I have about 15 hours of use on mine with no issues other than some rust forming around the lever retaining pin, and probably rust on the spring, ect. It hasn't popped off once.

[jbgp1200]

Aftermarket Surf Gate

It's 3.5 lbs so maybe the weight is another contributing factor. I think the small amount of flex it has in the frame is contributing too. Those shelf bracket models I bet don't flex at all. I can see from the videos that the mission delta plate had a little flex In it but not the frame where the suction cups are. That flex may be my problem as I am sure it's putting outward force on that first suction cup.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sagmanaur]

I made mine over the weekend, see attached pics. After I get it dialed in I may make a "better looking" version. I tested it out yesterday and around 7-8 MPH it would break free. I will try a couple things to make it work. First clean the wax from the mounting area. Second, I will drill some holes in the face of the wedge.
I did notice that there is flex in this plastic version, so I may just end up buying the aluminum frame unit to alleviate that issue. The pressure being put on from the angled steel bracket is slightly bending the rear (farthest from wedge face) suction cup.
So far I have about $30 into the build.
IMG_6702.jpgIMG_6703.jpgIMG_6704.jpg

[TeamAllen]

I think others have had the same issue with the plastic version and switched to the aluminum model with great success.
Looks good though!

[sagmanaur]

I think I will just go ahead and order the aluminum one. Funny that Amazon has these 3 items as frequently bought together.

Any clever ways to make this float? Right now I just tied a rope to it, but it would be nice if it floated.

Amazon.JPG

[culrich77]

Yes to this, everyone ditch the plastic handle and buy the aluminum one, it's 10 bucks more and I have never had it come off!

[KXCORKY]

Finished up one last night, hope to have fun with it this weekend
IMG_5525.JPG

[KXCORKY]

IMG_5526.JPG

[sagmanaur]

Just received my aluminum body suction cups. I might be able to try it out tonight after work. Just a quick test on my desk, the suction appears to be WAY stronger than the plastic body unit.

KXCORKY, I think the paddle should be oriented the opposite direction, at least that is how the Mission one is mounted. http://www.missionboatgear.com/colle...wakesurf-panel

I made some modifications to my setup that looks simliar to yours; bracket lays flat against the suction cup holder and have the angle created on the paddle.
Good luck!

[JohnnieMo]

'Corky - I agree with sagmanaur. That is mounted backwards. It may even suck those bolts right through the cutting board.

Side note, what is that yellow caution sign on your workbench. I'm a lurker....