2018 Yamaha 212X Wake Surfing setup

[Matthew Costello]

Hello All,

I first want to say that I have been reading countless threads. This is an awesome community.

I bought my first real boat this summer, 2018 212x and 2018 GP1800. I have had a blast wakeboarding already, but decided to get into wake surfing (why not when the boat is supposed to be able to from factory). All the forums I have read have talked about needing to add more ballast and/or a wedge. I know not many things have changed from 2017-2018, but little is to be said in 2018.

My question(s):
1) Is there an optimal setup from factory to try out? Ex: How full to fill each ballast.
2) If I cannot surf from the factory equipment, what would be your guys' recommendation on what to buy to get the best results possible? Every company I call I feel like is just selling me something and not actually trying to help me.
3) If there is anything I can do to repay the help this site has given me already, just ask.

 

[jcyamaharider]

@Matthew Costello First of all welcome to the community!!!!! I know you sent me an email but I am going to answer it here if that is ok. You asked if the wedge was removable. It is removable with 2 pins. You can put the wedge on or take it off in a matter of a minute or minutes. You can refer to my install video for more info:

Not the best quality but I get what you need out of it.

As far as everything else I will let others chime in. This community will tell you that I don't just want to sell you a product, I want to make sure that you have a good time and you get what you want out of your boat.

 

[geohil]

Welcome and you will love your boat - with just a couple additions.

I have a 2017 212X and can surf rope-less no problem. Currently I run a home-made surf "flap" (you can search it if you want), but I'll soon be upgrading to the new ambidextrous Wake Wedge. You have the advantage of the new Surf Pointe (alignment of your pumps), but otherwise it is the same boat. I've added a hard plumbed 1200gph aerator pump with an aux port on the rear deck to fill an additional 1100lbs bag on the swim deck and an 800lbs bag that goes by the rear seat on the surf side.

These boats need to list to the surf side and be heavy enough to swamp the lower swim deck.
It may sound like a lot but my favorite thing I heard about why we are all adding these items is we pay $60k for the boat, then with $2k in parts it will surf like a $100k boat.

Eventually you may want to add HydroPhase Ridesteady. Makes it much easier to surf.

Cheers!

 

[Matthew Costello]

@Matthew Costello First of all welcome to the community!!!!! I know you sent me an email but I am going to answer it here if that is ok. You asked if the wedge was removable. It is removable with 2 pins. You can put the wedge on or take it off in a matter of a minute or minutes. You can refer to my install video for more info:

Not the best quality but I get what you need out of it.

As far as everything else I will let others chime in. This community will tell you that I don't just want to sell you a product, I want to make sure that you have a good time and you get what you want out of your boat.

Welcome and you will love your boat - with just a couple additions.

I have a 2017 212X and can surf rope-less no problem. Currently I run a home-made surf "flap" (you can search it if you want), but I'll soon be upgrading to the new ambidextrous Wake Wedge. You have the advantage of the new Surf Pointe (alignment of your pumps), but otherwise it is the same boat. I've added a hard plumbed 1200gph aerator pump with an aux port on the rear deck to fill an additional 1100lbs bag on the swim deck and an 800lbs bag that goes by the rear seat on the surf side.

These boats need to list to the surf side and be heavy enough to swamp the lower swim deck.
It may sound like a lot but my favorite thing I heard about why we are all adding these items is we pay $60k for the boat, then with $2k in parts it will surf like a $100k boat.

Eventually you may want to add HydroPhase Ridesteady. Makes it much easier to surf.

Cheers!

 

[Matthew Costello]

Thank you both for the quick response. I will look into getting the wake wedge and ridesteady. I really don't mind spend a couple thousand to get my boat to work how I want it to.

Do you have a picture on how your setup looks, or can you get point me in the right direction of where to buy the ballist. This community is awesome

 

[geohil]

Thank you both for the quick response. I will look into getting the wake wedge and ridesteady. I really don't mind spend a couple thousand to get my boat to work how I want it to.

Do you have a picture on how your setup looks, or can you get point me in the right direction of where to buy the ballist. This community is awesome

My fav is www.wakemakers.com.
@swatski has the aux ballast fill station I copied. Ballast placement is an inexact science and changes based on how many people you have on the boat. @Blenderhead has some good pics of ballast bag layout.

I'd take pics but my boat is still wrapped for winter. Dang Oregon Spring.

 

[buckbuck]

Welcome @Matthew Costello
I am in the minority here when it comes to ballast. We just use the stock ballast with valves that isolate them in order to only fill the surf side. As stated, you do have to list the boat. We can ride ropeless as long as we have the Wake Wedge to redirect the jet blast. Please note that our definition of surfing is more on the beginner end of the spectrum. Some of these guys are creating huge waves which allow them to become quite creative on their boards.

 

[Chuds]

Ok first time posting but I have been reading endlessly for a year on here, just wanted to wait until I had pulled the trigger on a boat before I posted. Now that I have been told they are expecting VIN#'s I am a bit more comfortable that I will be getting a 2018 212x. Start off by thanking everyone who contributes on here it has been a great learning experience.

Next thanks @buckbuck for your recent reply as I have been feeling for some time that the definition of a ropeless wave seems to overlooked for a monster wave that I will look to have someday but maybe not for a year,two or maybe more post purchase. I am not saying the suggestions above are not required cause frankly I know nothing compared to you guys I have just not seen a response like that when similar questions are asked by new members.

Now for my questions (feels good to stop creeping and start interacting) has anyone tried the new 212x stock in terms of what kind of wave it will produce? I am hopeful that with some more ballast I should be content and able to ride ropeless as I know promo videos are hard to trust but I don't see yamaha doing anything beyond extra ballast to get a wave they can ride although they are likely all pros etc.

Also @jcyamaharider the wedge website lists 2017 and older models, will surfpointe impact the wedges functionality better yet has anyone tested the new surfpointe boats with a wedge yet?

Sorry for being long winded, first post jitters/introduction and all. Thanks again everyone.

Chuds

 

[jcyamaharider]

Surf point will have no effect on our wedge.

Congrats on not being a creeper....... wait a minute that came out wrong.

 

[Chuds]

Surf point will have no effect on our wedge.

Congrats on not being a creeper....... wait a minute that came out wrong.

Hahaha I deserved to have that come out wrong

Thank you for clarifying that@jcyamaharider, one more quick one for you, is it true you are coming out with a wake wedge you can use on either side?

 

[jcyamaharider]

Hahaha I deserved to have that come out wrong

Thank you for clarifying that@jcyamaharider, one more quick one for you, is it true you are coming out with a wake wedge you can use on either side?

Currently in prototype phase.

 

[AJR1977]

I have a 2017 212X I added Hydrophase Ridesteady and the Wakewedge. We have two ballast bags but often just use one, (800lbs) either on the swim deck or on the port seat. We fill port side 100%, center 75% and starboard 50%. Going ropeless is easy for anyone skilled enough to know how to find the pocket.

 

[Matthew Costello]

I have a 2017 212X I added Hydrophase Ridesteady and the Wakewedge. We have two ballast bags but often just use one, (800lbs) either on the swim deck or on the port seat. We fill port side 100%, center 75% and starboard 50%. Going ropeless is easy for anyone skilled enough to know how to find the pocket.

I am thinking about buying the wedge and the ballist. What will make the biggest difference? I was looking at wakemakers.com and they have 2 750lb ballast with a pump for $420.00, or 2 1,100 lb bags for $560.00. I don't know which one I should go for. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[geohil]

I am thinking about buying the wedge and the ballist. What will make the biggest difference? I was looking at wakemakers.com and they have 2 750lb ballast with a pump for $420.00, or 2 1,100 lb bags for $560.00. I don't know which one I should go for. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Go with the two 750's. Finding the perfect ballast is always a work in progress so being able to move them around will help. Bias towards the surf side. One centered on the rear deck, and one on the surf side rear seat would be a good place to start.

 

[AJR1977]

I agree with above... Its not the same for every boat, conditions, water depth amount of human ballast etc all mean that it takes some playing around to find the best set up for your boat. the 750s are enough to get you what you need.

 

[bobbie]

This is the wake we get from our 2014 212x. Wakemakers customs bags 1100 a side (or so) 450 bag on the swimdeck. We also have 200lb lead bags we move around to dial in the wake. We fill surf side plus fill about 25% on nonsurf side for counter balance @Matthew Costello

 

[hamsammy]

If I'm not mistaken, the cruise control built into the connext system is GPS based which would appear to eliminate the need for Ridesteady.

 

[geohil]

If I'm not mistaken, the cruise control built into the connext system is GPS based which would appear to eliminate the need for Ridesteady.

That unfortunately is only on 24 foot boats. Us 21 footers get Connext....but no cruise control.
At least it was that was in 2017 models.

 

[Ridesteady]

If I'm not mistaken, the cruise control built into the connext system is GPS based which would appear to eliminate the need for Ridesteady.

E-series boats have GPS speed control built-in. Non-E-series boats can use Ridesteady.

 

[Lenny]

Will a Yamaha 2018 212x all stock bull a wake border and a tuber ? I saw a thread on Mastercraft that the Yamaha sprays fizz/foam in the tubers & wakeboarders face ? Does a factory 18 set a nice wake ?