Ultimate Surf Wave on ALL Direct Drive boats - GT Canada How to

[@GearsAndTech]

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[@carterhudson2306]

We just sold our 1994 Sanger 20 DLX direct drive, but spent years tinkering with the wake to maximize its surf potential. The method he outlines is without a doubt the best way to maximize your boat’s potential. In ours, we removed the removable rear seat, then filled an 800 pound sac behind the motor box, with another 400 pound sac lying on top of the 800. We then ran 2 350’s (one on top of the other) on the side of the motor box that we wanted to surf behind. With 2 shapers, the wake was perfectly clean, with tons of push, and a 20 foot surf pocket surfing at 10.4 or 10.6 mph. In the past we would run one of the 2 350’s in the bow walkway, and one shaper on the back corner. His comment of only using the necessary amount of bow weight to get the boat to hold speed/plane is spot on. The new setup certainly burns a bit more fuel (went from 2500-2800 rpm’s with a crew of 3 including surfer). Great part about really loading up the rear with sacs is no one was having to sit in the rear getting sprayed with water while operating. We’d normally have 2 or 3 passengers in the observers seat or sitting on the gunwale next to it, and then a person in the bow. I was able to land consistent 360’s at 6’3”, 190 pounds behind this setup. You can see a short of the wave on my channel. As a side note, if you’re looking for a cheap direct drive that surfs great, look into Sanger DLX’s. Like centurions, they have a great V hull shape for surfing. Tige also made some mid 2000’s direct drives that have a great hull for surfing. Other plus being they typically have a higher dry weight than most boats of their era, and will displace more water.

[@GearsAndTech]

Glad to hear you got it dialed in. My experience was similar

[@timregan8580]

I've watched about 20 videos on this subject and this one is by far the best.

[@GearsAndTech]

Thank you. That means a lot to me Don't forget to subscribe, and share this with your friends I feel Ike the info in here would help set a lot straight for a lot of people.

[@johnt120]

Thanks for clearing things up! I have a 2000 Mastercraft X5, and was struggling to get a decent wave. I think I got hung up on putting weight in the middle and up front, but I will try sticking it all in the back. Makes more sense now!

[@GearsAndTech]

Yes, more weight in the back should help a lot

[@luketama1]

Thanks for making this video dude! I tried wake surfing for the first time last week on a mastercraft x22, then became really sad when I found out how much those boats are worth. After watching your video I am stoked again !

[@GearsAndTech]

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, those boats can get super crazy expensive. The dollars to fun ratio is really messed up on those boats A setup like mine can be done for between $10,000-$20,000. I promise you'll have just as much fun and won't break the bank.

[@kyleymoisey9740]

Awesome stuff man - really appreciate your point of view, very helpful!

[@GearsAndTech]

Thanks for stopping by. I'm not a rich guy, so I have to find some way to make these older cheaper boats do what I want. Hope it helps you

[@jaydowell8165]

Excellent advice 😎

[@GearsAndTech]

let us know if you tried it out on your boat

[@diydan7019]

Nice video bro good explaining

[@GearsAndTech]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@diydan7019]

Went out and put it to the test I have a 2001 Tige 21V 2x400 pounds in the back compartment one 1100 in front of that had to put a 300 in front bow otherwise I couldn’t get up to speed but it’s the best wake I’ve had so far thanks Granted I just got the 1100 pound and a 300 pound this week first time I’ve been able to try them

[@ryanbailey39]

I learned to surf behind a 81 ski nautique with a ton of weight before the surf systems were out

[@GearsAndTech]

I had a 77 ski nautique. Great boats that made great waves The back end was so narrow it didn't take much weight to slam them

[@ryanbailey39]

@@GearsAndTech I had that boat way over loaded many a time lol good memories

[@ka-wr9wi]

Thanks for the info. This was really helpful. I have a 99 pro air nautique. Ripped out the factory ballast replaced with 800 lbs sumo sack. I have a free bag that I’ll put in the back between motor box and back seat for time being to try out but will have to give back. I think around 650-800 lbs based on measuring it. But what would you recommend for a better ballast for that boat if i purchase a sac to supplement the 800. Appears you had the same boat at one time. I do have the perfect pass and nauticurl. So I’ll do your settings and try that. Cheers from sask

[@GearsAndTech]

On that boat we slid the seat forward and built an additional ballast storage area. In that back area I had an 1100 lbs bag, and threw another on the seat when our crew was lean. when the water is coming over the surf side corner of the sun deck, then your wave will be as good as it will get! Its scary how much weight you need to get the wave to go really big on that boat. Itll be a great wave, but the curl of the hull at the back stops you from getting the suck gate back far enough without falling off. Getting a Vdrive of that hull makes a HUGE difference. That gives you the extra freeboard you need to get more weight in. You can also look at what we did to our budget surf boat now. No more back seats, just ballast storage!

[@ka-wr9wi]

Right on thanks for the information! I will check that out for sure. Appreciate it

[@ka-wr9wi]

So I took your advice and finally hit my first surf wave without a rope. Amazing! Thank you so much. Everything you said worked. So I ran 800 in the rear locker which is full now and I put a 650 lbs bag that I got for free in between the dog house and the back seat. So next I think I need to hit that 2000 mark you said. What do you recommend between the dog house and back seat. Or what is the best option to build my own area behind the dog house to get up to 2 g. I was thinking wave makers could make me a custom bag to fit the floor and then remove cushion to put onto pod the gas tank platform. Thanks again. Great advice

[@GearsAndTech]

Pull the back seat and put a fat seat for 1500 lbs Or, pull the back seat and just put two 1100 lbs sacs back there. I'm putting out a video sooner than later that shows our latest version. We are running 1800 lbs in our back end now and our current boat can't take any more Really glad to hear you're getting that wave dialed in!

[@matt03384]

Make a video on best ballast setup for wakeboarding in a old direct drive ski boat

[@GearsAndTech]

The concepts are pretty much the same, just dont stick a suck gate on the side. Its been a few years since I wakeboarded. My knees and back do not enjoy that anymore.

[@jtaylor2563]

Funny my 1989 Supra ts6m direct drive ski boat only holds 1075 lbs. of total weight & gear. So I would think 2,000 lbs of ballast might be little too much for the old Supra 😁. I use 850 lb. ballast centered in back of boat which makes the boat rest only about 4 to 5 inches out of the water in the rear with a Surf Mode tri-wing wave creator system. You do have to be careful slowing down so you don't swamp the boat. But we can wakesurf behind it and that's what matters!

[@GearsAndTech]

Yes, your poor boat has really low freeboard. In your case get as much as you can to the very back of the boat. I think you could still get closer to 1200 lbs in it and be ok Make sure you're adding water weight. No lead or sand

[@jtaylor2563]

@@GearsAndTech I ran up to 1150 lb when I had a single wave enhancer. Now that I have the Surf Mode three wing system I don't have to use as much weight anymore and the waves much longer now and still just as big if not a little bigger. Plus my gas tank is in the very back of the boat

[@GearsAndTech]

Interesting. I bought the materials to make a second suck gate to try in the dual setup configuration. Maybe I'll make a 3rd and do some comparison testing.

[@joshuahentz6197]

@@jtaylor2563 how is the surf.mode holding up? Considering it for my Sunsetter

[@matt03384]

I have a 1991 Supra TS6m and anything over 1000 lbs of ballast and it’s scary low in the water. I don’t surf it I’m into wakeboarding more. I couldn’t imagine adding another 1000-1500lbs in it. Crazy

[@GearsAndTech]

Yes, your boat is very shallow in the water to start with. It's the reason not many people that want to surf will look at that boat. Same with the Malibu echelon. They are more built for slalom skiing. Fast with no wake

[@Coach.Ard.B]

@@GearsAndTech we surf behind a 95 Echelon. Got a suckgate and 1500LBS of ballast. One in the corner and one along the motor tilting the boat. It works well enough to go ropeless and have a lot of fun. I haven't tried your set up yet with all the weight in the back. Do you still put all the ballast towards one corner, or do you put the fat sacs in the middle of the back of your boat?

[@GearsAndTech]

I usually have my ballast up against the surf side. It does help to list the boat a little still to the surf side

[@LittleDriscoll92]

Thanks Anton, curious your input on setting up a sterndrive boat to wake surf?

[@LittleDriscoll92]

I have an 08 Blue Water Mirage for reference to my question.

[@GearsAndTech]

I strongly encourage you to NOT surf behind a stern drive. But if you insist, I would suggest you put one of these on amzn.to/3Qwfn0W After that you can weight it similar to how I weight my v drive in a different video. You can also trim up a bit to help push the back of the boat into the water. Make sure you keep riders FAR away from the back of the boat while they are under way

[@cameronthompson4489]

So thankful for your videos. Any tips for a 2000 Malibu 23 lsv? Just added two 820 lb bags in the lockers so 1640 not counting the motor. Then add a suck gate and the acme 1235. Is this enough???

[@cameronthompson4489]

Btw it’s the wakesetter as well so does have the wedge and stock center ballast

[@GearsAndTech]

This video will help you setup your boat. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z16ZgWWunLWtjs0

[@IRWE905]

Have you tried the Surf-Mode system? They claim less ballast needed for a great wake

[@GearsAndTech]

I have tried surf mode. It works great. But, to make a talk wave you still need all the weight in the boat You get tons of extra push though!

[@rubentheflatcoat4061]

about the wake shaper, you want it horizontal with the water while the boat is in 'surf position'??

[@GearsAndTech]

That's right Most people put it horizontal to the water while sitting still, but really, you want it horizontal while under way

[@GearsAndTech]

Tell us about your direct drive surfing experiences!

[@steves659]

Can you please provide link to make a surf system? Thank you

[@GearsAndTech]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGakq4Rtjs6GrtU

[@aidenmontgomery6204]

Ik im a little bit behind on this video but my boat is a 1988 eliminator direct drive ski boat and the weight capacity is only 1400 pounds or so it says and I don’t know what to do from here.

[@GearsAndTech]

The beauty of water based ballast is that you can 'technically' exceed the coast guard rating and be ok The reason I say technically is because if you put 4000 lbs of water in you could likely swamp the boat. However, as soon as the boat goes under water that 4000 lbs weighs nothing because water in water has the same weight. The coast guard rating is how much water the boat can hold without actually sinking. So after the boat goes in, it will float on the surface and your 1400 lbs worth of people and stuff can still stand in the boat waiting to be rescued My advice would be to start with 1000 lbs of water ballast and see how it does. But, to get a great surf wave you will likely need that magical 2000 lbs all in the back.

[@darrelltew6734]

Would you use less rear ballast in a Malibu 23 XTi Wakesetter that has a manual wedge?

[@GearsAndTech]

Manual wedge is tough. The angle you need makes the wedge usually make the wave worse. I would go for more ballast and leave the wedge up. Try it down as well with the same weight and decide for yourself. But in my experience the wave got longer and less height, which you can also do just by driving faster

[@darrelltew6734]

Thanks! Still go for 2,000# in rear of the DD Malibu 23 XTi ?

[@GearsAndTech]

Yes

[@darrelltew6734]

Thanks!

[@darrelltew6734]

We drilled holes for an additional wedge stop that deploys the wedge back a bit and it helps.