Ballast to Surf

[Kaase12]

RZ4 Owners,

What is your ballast set up like when surfing behind your RZ4. I mainly wakeboard but want to try and get into surfing a bit more. My boat does not have any auto ballast system but I do have 2 sacs, and am willing to buy more if needed.

Pictures would help a ton.

Thanks

[Thegerman618]

Don't be mad that you don't have hard tanks, from my understanding its better to start with a blank slate so to speak. I am sure Mike will chime in but it is my understand the 24' Boats LOVE rear surf side weight and a lot of guys are running some counter weight to sink the back a little deeper. I am not sure how the pickle fork effects the wave, but if its anything like my Ve' it doesn't like a whole lot of bow weight I only run 400# in the center and that's it. There are probably a few dozen write-ups in the ballast discussion threads. However here would be a good starting point or at least what I am running in my 24Ve:

2000+ surfside (ENZO SAC) plus fill a Jumbo V-drive bag on the floor till the rub rail disappears.
3-400 non-surfside (I start with it empty and run the pump while surfing till I am happy with the wave then turn it off)
400-600 bow (IBS or Standard Fly High Bricks)
Taps (depends on the rider but 3-5 should get you close)
Speed start at 10 and work up slowly should clean up nice around 12ish
To increase length 2 options-Speed up or add bow weight (you will lose height)
To Increase height 2 options-more surfside weight or less counter weight (You will lose length)
Push or Pocket size will be the perfect medium between all of the above. (Its the exact science of guessing )
Play with the taps, speed, and weight till your happy.
This is pretty standard ballast load, lots of guys are running lead as well but not a personal fan of it myself. Of Course there are system like GSA and Missions new Delta that have promising results. If your just getting into surfing, I would start with weight only first and the work into the surf systems as needed.

[b_jackson_03]

I have a 2011 RZ4 and can't seem to find anything on this either. My 2011 has a total of 1,800 pounds factory ballast and I have an additional 765 pound sac that I put in the port back seat. I also have about 400 pounds of people weight on the port side. I run about 12 mph. That setup gets a nice steep wake but isn't very long.

[Kaase12]

That's a lot of weight.... Looks like ill have to buy some more sacs and place them around the boat until I find something that works..

[dj2]

The RZ4 needs to list quite a bit without any other type of wake enhancement. Wake9 I believe recommended 9 degrees of list. I have 1000 lbs in each rear corner and I needed the surf side full and off side empty to get a good wave. I bought the Ronix Wakeshaper and life is easy. I weigh down both sides and install the wedge to get this wave. This is my starting point at Taps 2 and I can make it higher and shorter with more push by adjusted my up to Taps 6

image.jpg

[Wagonhound]

Amazing what the wake shaper does, it really cleans up the transition on the wave and gives you more surfable area. IMHO the Tige's with Taps 2 and a wake shaper are as good or better than any of the newer boats on the water.