I know this is an old thread but we took our 2018 AR240 out for the first time today and are looking into surfing boards. A couple questions:
Does a Wakebooster on a stock AR240 create a large enough wave to have fun on? At what point in our progression will we need a ballast?
Which board do you recommend we buy? I'm assuming there's a better option than the Yamaha Slingshot that comes with the package. We'll probably get comfortable fast so ideally something that's geared toward advanced riding but not impossible to learn on.
Old is gold! Glad to respond.
The best results with either device is going to we with ballast added. The job these products have is to deflect the jetwash and shape the wave not necessarily to make the wave bigger. They are not a substitute for ballast and displacement. Truly it is the displacement of the hull traveling thru the water and the water rushing in to fill that void that generates the wave. Ballast helps to sink the hull further and using it to lean the boat manipulates the wave to favor the surf side more. I would actually place ballast above any shaper on the list of priorities for surfing. I had the dealer install a 3 bag 3 pump ballast system in my boat prior to taking delivery. The amount of ballast is similar to the X model with 500lb bag under each rear under seat compartment and a 900lb bag in the ski locker. So we've always had the ability to use some ballast while surfing.
Yamaha's are designed to be lightweight and the amount of stock ballast is the very minimum for creating a surf wave. Although it may not be adequate for many. Using just our "stock" ballast we were only able to go ropeless for short stints of time. Below is a video showing how I was able to go ropeless using the Slingshot Coaster 5'0" and just 500lbs off ballast, but the pocket was very small and it took some trickery to optimize it. The board itself is great! The objective of the video was to show its capability with a minimal setup. Here is a video. Conditions we not ideal as I would eventually encounter some waves head on.
Full disclosure, I have never run the WakeBooster. My opinions on it are solely based the observation of others and those individuals reviews. Personally we run the
Wake Wedge from Gantlin Products on our AR240 and are very satisfied with it. Here is how I would compare the 2:
The WakeBooster works by redirecting water moving along the side of the boat and channeling it into the wake. Whereas the Wake Wedge acts as an extension off the bottom of the swim platform that skims the surface of the wave and sculpts it as it knocks down the jetwash.
With a stock AR240 with no ballast or even a stock 242X with ballast the WakeBooster will have a slightly better wave because it will still be down in the water redirecting some of it into the wave. Though the wave will be rather modest, perhaps not surfable for many with a stock boat.
The issue I have heard with WakeBooster is that when running extra ballast like the custom swim deck bag from Gantlin Products the Wake booster actually aerates the wave what softens it and gives it less push.
For the Wake wedge, with stock ballast or a stock ar240, wake wedge will have a minimal effect on the wave. It is when the extra ballast like the custom bag on the swim deck is added that it really does its job well, producing a wave that is both clean and solid. The other benefit of the Wake Wedge is in its adjustability. I think it, in combination with the swim deck bag really is the best formula for surfing these boats.
Bottom line is, ballast is a critical part of the equation to surfing ropeless behind your boat. Without it, you can still have a good time playing around on the wave.
www.transomwatersports.com
