Surfing 08 VLX

[Blindside_137]

Sorry for the 1 millionth surfing post but it's hard to search for what I'm trying to have answered.

So, this year I injured my left knee 3 times and want to start getting into wakesurfing (hopefully not altogether giving up wakeboarding). I just have a few general questions. I've been looking into fly high fatsacs and whatnot to put in the rear lockers and don't know the best way to go about weighting.

I'd like to not have any weight on the floor and we use a lot of the under seat storage so the rear locker is really the only place to put a fat sac. I'm fine with having a couple people sit on the surf side and don't think it's necesseary, in the beginning atleast, to have another 400 or so pounds underneath them.

So how would you go about weighting an 08 VLX with all the weight hidden? BTW we've got the bow ballast too and power wedge. Maybe a 400 or 750 in the rear locker and a few pop bags strewn about?

Now as far as boards go, I've looked at some as well and love the features and looks and everything on the inland surfers but they are $$$$. I've also looked at the Ronix Koal, and Grindwater Slaysh. I don't think surfing will be to hard for me and don't want to waste a lot of money on a 6' long board for learning. I'd like to be carving pretty hard and trying some 180's/360's so let me know of any other boards you reccomend. I sure would love that inland Carbon sweet spot but 850$??? I'll pass...

Thanks for the input!

[cyoda44]

750 in the locker on the surf side and add a sac under the seats. The goal is to get the boat to lean on the surf side. When you get the rubrail almost to the water line your set!!

I use my power wedge also... start at fully deployed then move it up slowly till the rider can feel the water pushing the board.

Also a good source of info is Wakeoutlaws.com. They have a great selection of boards and normally some used ones in the forums.

[WakeGirl]

All tanks full except non-surf side
Add a 750 in surf side locker
Add a 500 on surf side seat in cabin (or under it if you like)
Add 250ish in bow on surf side
Wedge down
All passengers on the surf side

That will give you this:

[old skool malibu]

I think with 750 in the rear locker plus mls and wedge you will have a great wake. I am a big fan of the Inland Surfer boards. Check out their site.

[WakeGirl]

You need some weight in the cabin & up front as well, whether it's people or bags. If you have people, then you don't need to fill the bags.

[Malibudude]

All tanks full except non-surf side
Add a 750 in surf side locker
Add a 500 on surf side seat in cabin (or under it if you like)
Add 250ish in bow on surf side
Wedge down
All passengers on the surf side

That will give you this:
....

Trust me this setup works, to date I’ve surfed the best behind this setup.

[WakeGirl]

I forgot to mention the speed, we had it at 10.4. GPS'd for accuracy.

[Blindside_137]

Holy Crap! That wave looks awesome, Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'll probably stick with the 750 in the locker at first, and the MLS full minus non-surf side. Then move people around accordingly, and if I want, try to stick some more weight under the surf side seating.

A few other questions.. I've read that people turn slightly in the direction of the surf side, and also that it's not good to turn. So drive straight or turn slightly?

And I have no idea how additional bags work, what are the necessary accessories to fill a bag? Tsunami pump?

[cyoda44]

Check out Wakemakers.com and Bakes.com they both will be glad to help you out...

This forum has tons of good info, just start reading the different threads.

Edited September 30, 2009 by cyoda44

[WakeGirl]

Holy Crap! That wave looks awesome, Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'll probably stick with the 750 in the locker at first, and the MLS full minus non-surf side. Then move people around accordingly, and if I want, try to stick some more weight under the surf side seating.

A few other questions.. I've read that people turn slightly in the direction of the surf side, and also that it's not good to turn. So drive straight or turn slightly?

And I have no idea how additional bags work, what are the necessary accessories to fill a bag? Tsunami pump?

Set it up like I spelled out above & you just drive straight. Driving in a curve will make the wall steeper, but will also shorten it up considerably behind that boat. I guess that's a personal preference kinda thing, but it does make it easier on the driver.

[wakechick3]

when your rider starts to loose the wave (too far back)- turn a little, sometimes it helps get them back.

[WakeGirl]

Just make sure to make the "straightening out" gentle, otherwise that can throw them out too.

[MN_LSV]

One other tip, as your learning how to catch the wave and ride ropeless, remember you have to put more weight on your front foot than you are used to when wakeboarding. It takes time to get used to the subtle shifting of weight to be able to ride ropeless. But once you get it, you've got it.

[Kingfish]

I learned to surf ropeless (Ronix Koal) this summer and it really adds another dimension to your water sports. There were times when it was just the driver and spotter in the boat. With stock ballast (centre, surf side +wedge) we were able to ride approx. 6-8 feet back. I did use a 400-500# bag a few times and that improved the shape but it was a pain moving one bag around. I'd like to have it built into the existing system with nothing on the floor, no handling of pumps or bags.

Just to add to what MN_LSV said, the front foot is your gas and back your brake, your gonna love it.

[Chappy]

Holy Crap! That wave looks awesome, Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'll probably stick with the 750 in the locker at first, and the MLS full minus non-surf side. Then move people around accordingly, and if I want, try to stick some more weight under the surf side seating.

A few other questions.. I've read that people turn slightly in the direction of the surf side, and also that it's not good to turn. So drive straight or turn slightly?

And I have no idea how additional bags work, what are the necessary accessories to fill a bag? Tsunami pump?

Wakegirl is on the money. I run the same as her except we use the new Fatsac Sumo 900 in the locker.

If you are going to make changes just make sure you add additional bow weight. That is key to adding length to the wave and cleaning it up.

[Chappy]

Holy Crap! That wave looks awesome, Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'll probably stick with the 750 in the locker at first, and the MLS full minus non-surf side. Then move people around accordingly, and if I want, try to stick some more weight under the surf side seating.

A few other questions.. I've read that people turn slightly in the direction of the surf side, and also that it's not good to turn. So drive straight or turn slightly?

And I have no idea how additional bags work, what are the necessary accessories to fill a bag? Tsunami pump?

Wakegirl is on the money. I run the same as her except we use the new Fatsac Sumo 900 in the locker.

If you are going to make changes just make sure you add additional bow weight. That is key to adding length to the wave and cleaning it up.

Also, drive straight and all you need is bags and a pump or two.

[Chia]

Holy Crap! That wave looks awesome, Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'll probably stick with the 750 in the locker at first, and the MLS full minus non-surf side. Then move people around accordingly, and if I want, try to stick some more weight under the surf side seating.

A few other questions.. I've read that people turn slightly in the direction of the surf side, and also that it's not good to turn. So drive straight or turn slightly?

And I have no idea how additional bags work, what are the necessary accessories to fill a bag? Tsunami pump?

Wakegirl is on the money. I run the same as her except we use the new Fatsac Sumo 900 in the locker.

If you are going to make changes just make sure you add additional bow weight. That is key to adding length to the wave and cleaning it up.

Fatsac Sumo 900. Does it have the same valves (in the same positions) as the fly high products? will the fly high quick connects work with this bag?

thanks

[aylor11]

This might be a very dumb question but we have a 2009 23LSV and I was looking at how to weight my boat down and in the sides of each locker there is a sticker that says not to exceed 75lbs, that the storage locker is not made for additional ballast. Anyone know why? I take it that since there is a factory sticker that it would void any warranty if they found out I had added ballast......

[Chia]

This might be a very dumb question but we have a 2009 23LSV and I was looking at how to weight my boat down and in the sides of each locker there is a sticker that says not to exceed 75lbs, that the storage locker is not made for additional ballast. Anyone know why? I take it that since there is a factory sticker that it would void any warranty if they found out I had added ballast......

this has been discussed quite a bit, bottom line, ignore the sticker.

[Tao of Wake]

Holy Crap! That wave looks awesome, Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'll probably stick with the 750 in the locker at first, and the MLS full minus non-surf side. Then move people around accordingly, and if I want, try to stick some more weight under the surf side seating.

A few other questions.. I've read that people turn slightly in the direction of the surf side, and also that it's not good to turn. So drive straight or turn slightly?

And I have no idea how additional bags work, what are the necessary accessories to fill a bag? Tsunami pump?

Wakegirl is on the money. I run the same as her except we use the new Fatsac Sumo 900 in the locker.

If you are going to make changes just make sure you add additional bow weight. That is key to adding length to the wave and cleaning it up.

Fatsac Sumo 900. Does it have the same valves (in the same positions) as the fly high products? will the fly high quick connects work with this bag?

thanks

Nope. The Sumo Sacs use the Launch Pad Link quick connect fitting (3 of these and 1 traditional 3/4" port). I do like the LPL better than the Fly High quick connect. I am thinking of getting a couple of the Sumo Rucsac 125# sacs to use in the bow or wherever extra ballast is needed based on VAB. I am going with these because a couple of people can easily move them around in the boat like when we are switching surf sides.

[Blindside_137]

Thanks for all the input everyone! Really excited to give this wakesurfing thing a shot.

[Chappy]

Holy Crap! That wave looks awesome, Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'll probably stick with the 750 in the locker at first, and the MLS full minus non-surf side. Then move people around accordingly, and if I want, try to stick some more weight under the surf side seating.

A few other questions.. I've read that people turn slightly in the direction of the surf side, and also that it's not good to turn. So drive straight or turn slightly?

And I have no idea how additional bags work, what are the necessary accessories to fill a bag? Tsunami pump?

Wakegirl is on the money. I run the same as her except we use the new Fatsac Sumo 900 in the locker.

If you are going to make changes just make sure you add additional bow weight. That is key to adding length to the wave and cleaning it up.

Fatsac Sumo 900. Does it have the same valves (in the same positions) as the fly high products? will the fly high quick connects work with this bag?

thanks

Nope. The Sumo Sacs use the Launch Pad Link quick connect fitting (3 of these and 1 traditional 3/4" port). I do like the LPL better than the Fly High quick connect. I am thinking of getting a couple of the Sumo Rucsac 125# sacs to use in the bow or wherever extra ballast is needed based on VAB. I am going with these because a couple of people can easily move them around in the boat like when we are switching surf sides.

Correct then new Sumosac's use the same quick connect as the rest of the Launchpad line. They do come with a connector kit so you may be able to use a Tsunami pump but I have never tried it. I need to figure some thing out though; because I prefer the connection system on the Launchpad system to the Flyhigh system but their pumps are complete garbage; I am burning through about a pump a year.

[Chia]

Holy Crap! That wave looks awesome, Thanks a lot for the replies.

I'll probably stick with the 750 in the locker at first, and the MLS full minus non-surf side. Then move people around accordingly, and if I want, try to stick some more weight under the surf side seating.

A few other questions.. I've read that people turn slightly in the direction of the surf side, and also that it's not good to turn. So drive straight or turn slightly?

And I have no idea how additional bags work, what are the necessary accessories to fill a bag? Tsunami pump?

Wakegirl is on the money. I run the same as her except we use the new Fatsac Sumo 900 in the locker.

If you are going to make changes just make sure you add additional bow weight. That is key to adding length to the wave and cleaning it up.

Fatsac Sumo 900. Does it have the same valves (in the same positions) as the fly high products? will the fly high quick connects work with this bag?

thanks

Nope. The Sumo Sacs use the Launch Pad Link quick connect fitting (3 of these and 1 traditional 3/4" port). I do like the LPL better than the Fly High quick connect. I am thinking of getting a couple of the Sumo Rucsac 125# sacs to use in the bow or wherever extra ballast is needed based on VAB. I am going with these because a couple of people can easily move them around in the boat like when we are switching surf sides.

Correct then new Sumosac's use the same quick connect as the rest of the Launchpad line. They do come with a connector kit so you may be able to use a Tsunami pump but I have never tried it. I need to figure some thing out though; because I prefer the connection system on the Launchpad system to the Flyhigh system but their pumps are complete garbage; I am burning through about a pump a year.

and i like the connectors on the fly high as they won't accidentally come apart (the quick connects with the clips). But i like the idea of a 900# bag that launch pad has. Do the quick connects just push in and turn and could they come apart if the bag shifts?

[Tao of Wake]

Correct then new Sumosac's use the same quick connect as the rest of the Launchpad line. They do come with a connector kit so you may be able to use a Tsunami pump but I have never tried it. I need to figure some thing out though; because I prefer the connection system on the Launchpad system to the Flyhigh system but their pumps are complete garbage; I am burning through about a pump a year.

I didn't like the hose that comes with the pumps (kink too much), so I replaced them. I found the hose cheap on eBay, but the seller doesn't have any more. This is what it is. It was a bit of a PITA to get the LPL connector off the end of the existing hose, but I eventually did and then just cut the new hose to the length that I wanted and connected it up. It works great. If there was some way to get an adapter for the Tsunami so that you could connect it to the bag to drain it, I would do this in a heartbeat. I even thought I could somehow create a quick disconnect in the hose so that you could move it from the output of the Tsunami to the input, I could just connect the end of the hose to the port on the side/bottom of the bag, connect another hose to the output of the pump, hang that hose over the side and start the pump. It does seem like a lot of work to just get rid of the Launch Pad pump. I guess I will look into it more when mine die.

and i like the connectors on the fly high as they won't accidentally come apart (the quick connects with the clips). But i like the idea of a 900# bag that launch pad has. Do the quick connects just push in and turn and could they come apart if the bag shifts?

Yes, they just push in and turn. If you position the pump the right way, it will be pushing it into this position. That is, make it so that the pump wants to turn that way - by positioning the hose that is going over the side. I haven't had it disconnect on me, yet.

[Tao of Wake]

I just found that Wakemakers has the LPL adapters for sale:

Standard Hose End Adapter

3/4" LPL Adapter

So, you could build a pump for a Launch Pad sac (including the Sumo Sacs) using one of each of the above, one W747, one Tsunami 1200 GPH pump, and 6' of hose. Total cost - minus shipping - comes to $70.37. The cheapest that I have seen the Launch Pad Uber pump is $69.95, so you are getting a better pump system for about the same price. The only other difference is that you are restricting the flow on the inlet of the pump by going to 3/4" whereas the Uber pump is 1-1/8" all the way. For filling, this shouldn't matter as the pump would be under water, so the pressure would push it into the pump. For draining, if you used one of the lower LPL valves on the Sumo Sac, the pressure of water in the bag would push it into the pump. I think it would be a much better setup than the Uber pump, especially due to the reliability factor.