Surf setup 2015 242LS

[COtoFLsurf]

@swatski, that storage taunts me, whispering "put the lead in here, put the lead in here", but in reality my back vetoed the idea of lifting 50# sacks in and out of there, especially having to reach in to do so. Did not consider adding weight or another piece of aluminum to the bottom of the flap. I do not think it would be counterproductive, and would probably be beneficial, if nothing else a simple aluminum channel along the bottom would keep that edge straight and increase overall rigidity. I have several tweaks in mind, maybe that will be one of them (unless someone beats me to it!!!).

Wish I had a picture from behind the boat, because the flap does not ride down in the water at speed, but bends up and rides on top of the water. Just enough downward pressure to clean things up, including at 21-22 mph wakeboard speeds where the rooster tail used to make wakeboarding a really unpleasant experience.

 

[COtoFLsurf]

On another note, I experimented with surfgate-style delayed convergence, and it did not work at all. Totally expected some benefit, but nada. The principle behind delayed convergence is to add drag to one side of the boat, which makes it "yaw" and ride at a slight angle, allowing the opposite side wake to build-up higher before converging with the "delayed" wake. Not sure if it is the 242's hull design, dual jets, or combination of both, but I simply could not get this to work. Maybe brighter minds will prevail, but I simply scratched this one off the list.

 

[swatski]

On another note, I experimented with surfgate-style delayed convergence, and it did not work at all. Totally expected some benefit, but nada. The principle behind delayed convergence is to add drag to one side of the boat, which makes it "yaw" and ride at a slight angle, allowing the opposite side wake to build-up higher before converging with the "delayed" wake. Not sure if it is the 242's hull design, dual jets, or combination of both, but I simply could not get this to work. Maybe brighter minds will prevail, but I simply scratched this one off the list.

I believe that was @jcyamaharider experience was well, he played with the Ronix wedge /delayed convergence, and it was a negative if anything.

I am very curious if my new tabs will help or hurt the wake (size and shape), really hard to tell at this point. Those are designed with the widest span etc., but who knows. My thinking is that with enough ballast I might be able to shape the pocket and make it deeper. But there is only one way to find out... These boats of ours are so crazy, but no doubt this is going somewhere!

Again, thanks for sharing.

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[Mainah]

@COtoFLsurf - Pre wakeboard pump from lifting the lead is appealing but I don't want the extra 500 lbs all the time (I guess I would find a way to live with it if in fact was 4 supermodels ) Knocking down the spray for wakeboarding and tubing is plus. Like everyone else who has commented I love this idea and I am absolutely going to adapt something similar.

One more question. Is there really a need to remove the wake flap (gave it a name for you)?

 

[COtoFLsurf]

@Mainah, would definitely be ideal to only carry the lead when we are riding, but not really practical for us. I am in salt water and on a boatlift, so I have to remove the flap to hose down the back end; otherwise, no need to remove it.

 

[Mainah]

@Mainah, would definitely be ideal to only carry the lead when we are riding, but not really practical for us. I am in salt water and on a boatlift, so I have to remove the flap to hose down the back end; otherwise, no need to remove it.

Thanks so much for answering all of the questions. I look foward to making the surf flap come spring. I am also interested to see how others adapt and fabricate this to their needs.

For those that don't know horse stall mat is very heavy. It is also great as flooring under weight equipment, workbench, garage, etc if you are wondering what to do with leftovers from a full sheet.

 

[swatski]

^^^ What he said! Except I would think something like "surf flap" sounds better than "wake flap" .

I am still wondering about potential benefits of adding lateral rigidity. Yes, the Wake Wedge still has huge appeal. But the set-it-and-forget-it part of the flap maybe the key feature here. (Another great Yamaha jet boat compromise..., LOL.)

I have to say, @COtoFLsurf, those are fantastic, totally surprising results -- with the flap working the way it does. I don't think anyone could see this coming. In the last few months I have read just about anything and everything on wake shaping, and pretty much crossed that idea off. I had assumed the jet stream would just blow through any non-rigid flap like nothing is there...

It just goes to show the power of experimentation and testing (in the wild). This is a killer mod.

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[swatski]

@COtoFLsurf I can't believe you did not put chrome trucker girls on the flap, yet.
That may need to be my contribution to this thread.

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[skrip345]

Do you feel comfortable running the boat any faster than wake boarding speeds with it installed?

 

[buckbuck]

I am anxiously awaiting to see what you guys come up with to further refine this. Great idea @COtoFLsurf

 

[Scottintexas]

Did you experiment with taller pieces of mat (more than 14") to block more of the wash ?

 

[Scottintexas]

What holds the 2" square tubing snug to the underside of the swimdeck? did you just drill the bolt hole precisely to fit the bottom of tie down eye or does the 2" square fitting have a little wobble in it when attached?

 

[swatski]

My wife checked on this for me in an Orchweins tractor store, on the road. $34.99. Problem is, there is no way she could lift it up, LOL. But at least we know it's there.


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[BigAbe75]

@swatski (or anyone in STL). I've got 4 sheets that I was using under some weight equipment that is no longer in use. I'd cut you a section and meet you with it sometime, to donate toward the cause. We do lunch fairly often in Soulard.

It'd cost way too much to figure out how to ship.

 

[Pinhacker71]

Tractor supply has the mats for $40. Also ordered the 2x2 aluminum squares off eBay. Other stuff can be found at Lowes or Home Depot.

 

[Mainah]

I think full 4x6x3/4 sheets weigh right about 100 lbs and they are a pain to carry.

Onlinemetals.com is a good place to order aluminum from if you don't want to go you your local yard or they don't have what you need. I recommend 6061 grade aluminum for this project as it is harder and stronger than other common types. A sawsall or dremel cutting disc will cut through it no problem if you don't have a metal cutoff saw.

 

[Rod5]

I get the feeling there is going to be a run on Stall Mats this Spring...

 

[swatski]

I get the feeling there is going to be a run on Stall Mats this Spring...

We need a group buy.

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[swatski]

@COtoFLsurf design and tube dimensions are so well thought out!

So, I'm starting my build and got most of what I'll need. Pretty much the only thing I'm doing different so far is I'm using SS 304 instead of aluminum. Made some new friends in a local metal yard and found the coolest welder! I got the welds done, but still need to clean and polish everything up --myself, a lot more work with SS.

@COtoFLsurf one thing I wonder is, the 14" height of the flap seems very conservative. I'm tempted to go a bit longer (taller), any thoughts on that?

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[buckbuck]

Please, please, please, before and after 10 mph pictures of the wake for anyone doing this mod.