swatski
Jetboaters Fleet Admiral 1*
- Messages
- 12,806
- Reaction score
- 18,566
- Points
- 822
- Location
- North Caldwell, NJ
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2016
- Boat Model
- AR
- Boat Length
- 24
With all the discussion of the Yamaha new Surf Point and Scarab Surf Stream etc. - I needed to try the idea of deflecting jet stream/wash with water pushed across in order to smooth the wake surface.
THE CONCEPT
Well, the concept is very attractive - it relies on a scooper/caper/deflector-like device that would be mounted on the SURF SIDE - pushing water across the swim platform - to deflect the jet wash and smooth out the wake surface.
Importantly, such a device would at the same time force a surf side turn, therefore necessitating a counter-steering effort - which would point the nozzles away from the surf side - precisely what one would intend to do to smooth out the wake surface.
At least - that's the theory.
A PROTOTYPE
I built a couple of prototypes and ended up actually testing one. That one ended up bearing uncanny resemblance to the Scarab Surf Stream system, I think, - albeit I have never seen one in person and there are no publicly available clips of one in action - that I know of.
So, here it is:
The burn marks are just from grinding the screws, this is done in marine plywood with internal reinforcements. The construction is strong enough to survive testing at speeds below 20mph (I did not want to make it too strong, as I was not certain what kind of forces I will be dealing with)
The overall size is a big larger than the Scarab attachment it resembles, but the angles are similar - judging from what I could find posted elsewhere:
THE TEST
For the purpose of my initial "proof of concept" type of testing - I used only 800lbs of ballast - one bag filled in the rear strbd compartment - surf side (goofy):
I could have probably filled more ballast as I was alone and 800lbs is not much for these boats, but figured I can get a general idea if the device is working, and if the concept is worth pursuing further.
I ran around at various speeds, going strait or turning in large circles of varying radius etc.
Here are a couple of short clips:
Shot at different speeds - 9, 10, and 11 mph - pretty much covering the wake surfing range we use - typically 10.5mph (depending on the load and conditions).
THE OBSERVATIONS
Well, I think the concept has potential, but would need a lot of tweaking. The way I see it - it will be difficult to design a scooper/"caper" actually capable of throwing water across the jets hard enough to deflect the jet stream and create a wake surface that's surfable.
The main issue is - this type of device would need to be complemented with the Wake Wedge, but it is not readily compatible with it.
THE VERDICT
For now - and in foreseeable future - I do not see this concept being competitive with (@jcyamaharider and @ar240owner's) Wake Wedge. Leave alone trying to dethrone the Wedge, LOL.
I'm about to throw in the towel as far as my wake surfing mods...!
--
THE CONCEPT
Well, the concept is very attractive - it relies on a scooper/caper/deflector-like device that would be mounted on the SURF SIDE - pushing water across the swim platform - to deflect the jet wash and smooth out the wake surface.
Importantly, such a device would at the same time force a surf side turn, therefore necessitating a counter-steering effort - which would point the nozzles away from the surf side - precisely what one would intend to do to smooth out the wake surface.
At least - that's the theory.
A PROTOTYPE
I built a couple of prototypes and ended up actually testing one. That one ended up bearing uncanny resemblance to the Scarab Surf Stream system, I think, - albeit I have never seen one in person and there are no publicly available clips of one in action - that I know of.
So, here it is:
The burn marks are just from grinding the screws, this is done in marine plywood with internal reinforcements. The construction is strong enough to survive testing at speeds below 20mph (I did not want to make it too strong, as I was not certain what kind of forces I will be dealing with)
The overall size is a big larger than the Scarab attachment it resembles, but the angles are similar - judging from what I could find posted elsewhere:
THE TEST
For the purpose of my initial "proof of concept" type of testing - I used only 800lbs of ballast - one bag filled in the rear strbd compartment - surf side (goofy):
I could have probably filled more ballast as I was alone and 800lbs is not much for these boats, but figured I can get a general idea if the device is working, and if the concept is worth pursuing further.
I ran around at various speeds, going strait or turning in large circles of varying radius etc.
Here are a couple of short clips:
Shot at different speeds - 9, 10, and 11 mph - pretty much covering the wake surfing range we use - typically 10.5mph (depending on the load and conditions).
THE OBSERVATIONS
Well, I think the concept has potential, but would need a lot of tweaking. The way I see it - it will be difficult to design a scooper/"caper" actually capable of throwing water across the jets hard enough to deflect the jet stream and create a wake surface that's surfable.
The main issue is - this type of device would need to be complemented with the Wake Wedge, but it is not readily compatible with it.
THE VERDICT
For now - and in foreseeable future - I do not see this concept being competitive with (@jcyamaharider and @ar240owner's) Wake Wedge. Leave alone trying to dethrone the Wedge, LOL.
I'm about to throw in the towel as far as my wake surfing mods...!
--
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