Honest review of the Wake Booster

[Surfgirl78]

If anyone is interested in our Gantlin Wake Wedge it’s for sale $350 plus shipping

 

[siddoway3]

This is my personal review of the Yamaha Wake Booster mounted on a 2017 212X owned by @Brian eilrich . He, his two boys and I took a trip to the closest river not closed due to flooding in May 2019. The Rock River in Rockford IL was our test grounds. It was near flood stage with a swift current and we surfed in waters 8-10 feet deep.

I have no affiliation with Yamaha and do not even know anyone employed by them.

Wake Booster comes in two flavors. 21 foot boat and 24 foot boat. The two are very different. Here is an outline of both.
View attachment 93555

The following are some of the days test conditions;
2017 Yamaha 212X fitted with the Wake Booster and also equipped with after market @Ridesteady .
Nozzles were aligned to the Surf Point configuration.
Stock ballast was completely filled giving us about 1200 lbs. This turned out to provide the best wave. No other ballast was used.
Brian and his two boys gave a combined weight of 400 lbs.
The Booster is easy to install and remove while on the water.
Even at no wake speed the Booster has an effect on the water behind the boat. It is a bulldozer blade under water. You will have to remove it when not surfing.
Water temperature was 55 degrees. Air was 65. Wind was insignificant in the test.
I would NOT describe myself as an accomplished surfer. No stunts, no tricks. I am content to just go ropeless behind the boat when I surf. Please note that due to the water temperature I had a incentive to not let go of the rope even with a drysuit. I forgot my booties and my feet were cold.
I surfed with the Slingshot Surf Board provided with the kit.
Video was shot by 13 year old who hand held an Autel Evo drone.

From my experience, viewing the shape of the wave without a surfer does not guarantee that it will be good to ride. Prior to getting in the water with my 200 lbs. aboard we did a test run. We looked at each other and said WOW! But I withheld judgement until I was being pushed by it. Note that I also came to the river with previous disappointment in Yamaha. They promoted the Surf Point config like it was the solution to jetboat surfing. In my opinion it turned out to be little more than hype. We tried a number of ballast configurations and ended up with all three full. We also tried many differing speeds. Thanks to @Ridesteady this was easily achieved. However I wish we could have gone a tad slower going upstream. Ridesteady minimum is 8 mph and I feel the wave could have been better with more push had we had the option.
The booster completely flooded the jet area of the boat on the port side. This would explain why Yamaha includes a cover for the scupper valve. I suppose they discovered that water was being forced up the scupper when set up for starboard (goofy) surfing. The stream of water converged with the jet stream approximately 8 inches behind the nozzle.
Very interestingly to me was the boat ran level with no list. I know the ballast was even with no bias but the boys in the port corner did not influence the list. Even when Brian abandoned the helm and joined them the boat did not list. It seems to me the Booster is pushing the boat up on the corner. We are going to need well fed friends and family to overcome this and push this down in the water more. I think we will experience an even better wave with more weight.

The results of this testing led me to believe Yamaha spent some time developing this. It is not Surf Point hype. It had significant influence on the shape of the wake. Particularly in smoothness and steepness. They have produce a credible wake enhancer and those of you with newer boat should consider it if the goal is surfing.
Thanks for reading this.

EDIT 1 June 2019 Here is a video of deep water surfing on a choppy lake. Approx 2000 lbs ballast and 1000 lbs people.

Is there any way you might have blue prints for these? With lots of measurement that you could send me? I need a place to start.

 

[buckbuck]

Sorry @siddoway3 I do not have blueprints. A number of members have taken it upon themselves to build their own. Have fun with your adventure.

 

[jwhaines1212]

Is there any way you might have blue prints for these? With lots of measurement that you could send me? I need a place to start.

@siddoway3 Did you ever find blue prints? If not I’m going to scale his cardboard cut out by the distance of the u bolt to the edge of the actual boat.

 

[Lalanif]

Just got my 2017 212X. Was wondering if anyone had issues or advise on installing the scupper plate cover for the wake booster

 

[MidnightRider]

Just got my 2017 212X. Was wondering if anyone had issues or advise on installing the scupper plate cover for the wake booster

I didn't have any issues. I used some acetone to clean the area for the adhesive and stuck it on as shown.

 

[Lalanif]

Can you take a pic of the plate on the scupper valve?

 

[Brian McIver]

This is my personal review of the Yamaha Wake Booster mounted on a 2017 212X owned by @Brian eilrich . He, his two boys and I took a trip to the closest river not closed due to flooding in May 2019. The Rock River in Rockford IL was our test grounds. It was near flood stage with a swift current and we surfed in waters 8-10 feet deep.

I have no affiliation with Yamaha and do not even know anyone employed by them.

Wake Booster comes in two flavors. 21 foot boat and 24 foot boat. The two are very different. Here is an outline of both.
View attachment 93555

The following are some of the days test conditions;
2017 Yamaha 212X fitted with the Wake Booster and also equipped with after market @Ridesteady .
Nozzles were aligned to the Surf Point configuration.
Stock ballast was completely filled giving us about 1200 lbs. This turned out to provide the best wave. No other ballast was used.
Brian and his two boys gave a combined weight of 400 lbs.
The Booster is easy to install and remove while on the water.
Even at no wake speed the Booster has an effect on the water behind the boat. It is a bulldozer blade under water. You will have to remove it when not surfing.
Water temperature was 55 degrees. Air was 65. Wind was insignificant in the test.
I would NOT describe myself as an accomplished surfer. No stunts, no tricks. I am content to just go ropeless behind the boat when I surf. Please note that due to the water temperature I had a incentive to not let go of the rope even with a drysuit. I forgot my booties and my feet were cold.
I surfed with the Slingshot Surf Board provided with the kit.
Video was shot by 13 year old who hand held an Autel Evo drone.

From my experience, viewing the shape of the wave without a surfer does not guarantee that it will be good to ride. Prior to getting in the water with my 200 lbs. aboard we did a test run. We looked at each other and said WOW! But I withheld judgement until I was being pushed by it. Note that I also came to the river with previous disappointment in Yamaha. They promoted the Surf Point config like it was the solution to jetboat surfing. In my opinion it turned out to be little more than hype. We tried a number of ballast configurations and ended up with all three full. We also tried many differing speeds. Thanks to @Ridesteady this was easily achieved. However I wish we could have gone a tad slower going upstream. Ridesteady minimum is 8 mph and I feel the wave could have been better with more push had we had the option.
The booster completely flooded the jet area of the boat on the port side. This would explain why Yamaha includes a cover for the scupper valve. I suppose they discovered that water was being forced up the scupper when set up for starboard (goofy) surfing. The stream of water converged with the jet stream approximately 8 inches behind the nozzle.
Very interestingly to me was the boat ran level with no list. I know the ballast was even with no bias but the boys in the port corner did not influence the list. Even when Brian abandoned the helm and joined them the boat did not list. It seems to me the Booster is pushing the boat up on the corner. We are going to need well fed friends and family to overcome this and push this down in the water more. I think we will experience an even better wave with more weight.

The results of this testing led me to believe Yamaha spent some time developing this. It is not Surf Point hype. It had significant influence on the shape of the wake. Particularly in smoothness and steepness. They have produce a credible wake enhancer and those of you with newer boat should consider it if the goal is surfing.
Thanks for reading this.

EDIT 1 June 2019 Here is a video of deep water surfing on a choppy lake. Approx 2000 lbs ballast and 1000 lbs people.

Thanks for the review. I'm having extreme trouble ensuring I have the correct scoop for my 2017 21 ft. The box the entire kit was shipped in was the correct part number for the 21 ft boat, but upon opening the box with the scoop assembly the instruction sheet is for installation on the 19 ft. models. the scoop seems to resemble the outline you've drawn in red, is this in fact the one you are using on a 21' boat? I seem to be sharing my tail trying to find the right scoop.

 

[buckbuck]

The red outline is the 21' boat Booster.
Perhaps @suke can help you. He just installed his.

 

[suke]

Thanks for the review. I'm having extreme trouble ensuring I have the correct scoop for my 2017 21 ft. The box the entire kit was shipped in was the correct part number for the 21 ft boat, but upon opening the box with the scoop assembly the instruction sheet is for installation on the 19 ft. models. the scoop seems to resemble the outline you've drawn in red, is this in fact the one you are using on a 21' boat? I seem to be sharing my tail trying to find the right scoop.

Mine had the instructions for the 24 ft boats. LOL! So something must be screwy. I think I may still have them.....need to go find them, but pretty sure it was the 24 ft ones.

Best pic I have of mine installed that you can actually see the bulk of it.

 

[suke]

Yup confirmed mine came with the instructions for the 24 foot boats. Which when I was having issues installing mine I thought well shit they gave me the wrong one. I'm fairly confident I have the right booster and wrong instructions.

 

[suke]

Brought my boat home for the weekend. Took every conceivable Pic of the booster.

 

[PBear]

View attachment 119837

Brought my boat home for the weekend. Took every conceivable Pic of the booster.

Hmm -- looking this pic, my 21' booster does not stick out much at all where you have a good inch or more (view from the back of the boat). I'm wondering if you do have the 24' booster, which would match your instructions. Unfortunately, mine is in the boat at the barn. The soonest I'd get it is tomorrow to check and take pictures.

 

[suke]

Hmm -- looking this pic, my 21' booster does not stick out much at all where you have a good inch or more (view from the back of the boat). I'm wondering if you do have the 24' booster, which would match your instructions. Unfortunately, mine is in the boat at the barn. The soonest I'd get it is tomorrow to check and take pictures.

According to the vids that's normal. It's not near as bad as the pics make it look. At most maybe and inch. It's supposed to overhang there.

 

[suke]

Pic of Danny hampson's 212x with wake booster looks just like mine. In my short Google search I'm not finding any difference between a 21ft and 24ft wake booster. Everything points to them being the same. Is yours not lined up with the side of the hull?

 

[suke]

Took the boat out today. Was able to get the wake booster easily on in the water in under a minute or 2. Sooooooooo nice now. Surfed for a bit, then let the little one get pulled on the tube.

 

[r1pilot]

I’m looking to buy the wakebooster, 21’ version but having trouble finding the part number. Anyone know the part numbers by chance? I see this one F3R-K7910-V0-00 but not sure if this is just the booster versus the complete package.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Sebastian]

From the 19ft forum:

Interesting quote from the product page for the 19ft surf package.
Does this mean there is only one hardware piece/size for the booster itself?
I have the transom bag, a ski locker bag and the Slingshot Coaster board, so would only need the booster and maybe make it fit on my older 2012 AR190

How To Set Up the Yamaha WakeBooster™
The Yamaha WakeBooster also fits on all of the following Yamaha boats: 2017 and newer 21-foot boats (runabout and FSH), and 2015 and newer 24-foot runabout boats. Watch Product Manager Mike Ricciardi install the WakeBooster on a 242X boat.

 

[PBear]

I’m looking to buy the wakebooster, 21’ version but having trouble finding the part number. Anyone know the part numbers by chance? I see this one F3R-K7910-V0-00 but not sure if this is just the booster versus the complete package.

Thank you in advance.

That's part number that I bought for my 2020 212X -- it's just the booster (no board, rope, etc.). See pictures and installation guide above from @suke. I bought the board and rope from @J-RAD

 

[suke]

That's part number that I bought for my 2020 212X -- it's just the booster (no board, rope, etc.). See pictures and installation guide above from @suke. I bought the board and rope from @J-RAD

Which allegedly we were sold the wrong one, but I'm not going to complain cause I don't want those tabs on my gelcoat. LOL!