Switched from VTX to 23LSV and I can't get the surf right

[Jdog55]

I am sure this question has been asked and answered a million time so sorry for doing it again but I am stumped.

I had a 2007 wakesetter VTX. Basically stock. 3 ballast tanks (right, left, and center) and the manual/floating wedge. I could surf with no rope behind that boat till I ran out of gas with just 2 people on board the left and center tank full, the oberver sitting in the port back corner, wedge down and speed control at 9.6mph. Loved it, everyone said if you love surfing you need a 23 footer and a front ballast tank. So I did.

New boat is a 23LSV with 4 ballast (left, right, front, and center), power wedge and a partridge in a pear tree. I spared no expense. The wave setup with left, center and front tank full, power wedge down observer sitting in the rear port corner, speed control at 9.6-9.8, and the wave sucks. won't hold a rider for a second. What I would do to get my VTX back!! I am sure there is a solution, maybe someone on this board can help. If fat sacks are the answer I am going to sell the boat and get another VTX because they don't need them.

thanks in advance for your help

[Bawshogg]

Larger hull needs more wieght to displace water. Sacks are the answer. I have a VTX I'll trade ya straight across for if you are really that unhappy.

[Bobby Light]

I am sure this question has been asked and answered a million time so sorry for doing it again but I am stumped.

I had a 2007 wakesetter VTX. Basically stock. 3 ballast tanks (right, left, and center) and the manual/floating wedge. I could surf with no rope behind that boat till I ran out of gas with just 2 people on board the left and center tank full, the oberver sitting in the port back corner, wedge down and speed control at 9.6mph. Loved it, everyone said if you love surfing you need a 23 footer and a front ballast tank. So I did.

New boat is a 23LSV with 4 ballast (left, right, front, and center), power wedge and a partridge in a pear tree. I spared no expense. The wave setup with left, center and front tank full, power wedge down observer sitting in the rear port corner, speed control at 9.6-9.8, and the wave sucks. won't hold a rider for a second. What I would do to get my VTX back!! I am sure there is a solution, maybe someone on this board can help. If fat sacks are the answer I am going to sell the boat and get another VTX because they don't need them.

thanks in advance for your help

Haha looks like you should have done some research before the purchase. Yes fat sacs are needed for any boat if you want a "Good" surf wake, everyone has their own definition of that one. I've never surfed a boat without fat sacs that I liked or would even want to ride again.

Better hurry and get the puppy up for sale

[Jdog55]

Thanks guys. What a bummer. Surfing used to be so easy and fun. Now I got to fill sacks. Oh well. As far as the trade goes, no thanks. I am dissapointed not stupid.

And the wave on the VTX is well worth surfing without sacks. Surprised to see that comment. I have surfed a ton of waves without sacs that are worth it.

[lib135]

Most people with the 23 will add a 750 to the surfside (usually port side), and another 750 on the seat on the same side. The 750 in the rear left, you can plumb directly into the overflow line, and then out of the boat. The seat sack, you will probably need to fill manually unless you wire a pump up to it, or T off the center pump or something. Leave the other rear tank empty, and fill the center and forward ballast. That should at least get you started in the right direction. Probably need to get get speed a little more too, somewhere in the 10-11 range.

[Munch]

Agree with the other posts... my friends V-Ride throws a nice steep surf wake with standard ballast... My 23 LSV is much tougher to get a good surf wake... it's a big sled that's great for wakeboarding, but you can still make it a great surf boat.

Here's what I recommend:

- MLS ballast - center and rear

- 750 sac in the rear compartment

- 400 sac under the middle seats

- 10 - 12.5 MPH (I surf at 12.5, but not sure if its 100% correct)

- Wedge - I have the manual wedge, so I keep it up (its cleaner); With a power wedge go 1/2 way.

Sadly you do need ballast. And you seem to need more speed with the 23 LSV.

I'd strongly recommend the Pro X Series fat sacs. They have a 750 that fits perfect in the back locker. They have a 400 long skinny sac that fits under the seat. (I'm not into having them lay around the boat). And the tsunami pump is the way to go.

A couple extra minutes and it'll be tweaked nicely.

Edited July 12, 2010 by Munch

[Bobby Light]

Thanks guys. What a bummer. Surfing used to be so easy and fun. Now I got to fill sacks. Oh well. As far as the trade goes, no thanks. I am dissapointed not stupid.

And the wave on the VTX is well worth surfing without sacks. Surprised to see that comment. I have surfed a ton of waves without sacs that are worth it.

Like I said everyones definition is different on what a "good" wave is, particularly if you like a stock weighted boat. My idea of getting a good wave or a good time isn't rolling around with 1600 lbs of sausage in my boat if you know what I mean. If you came and rode a boat weighted like mine or Rhino's you'd probably shiat your pants.

Edited July 12, 2010 by 06vlx

[Bawshogg]

Thanks guys. What a bummer. Surfing used to be so easy and fun. Now I got to fill sacks. Oh well. As far as the trade goes, no thanks. I am dissapointed not stupid.

And the wave on the VTX is well worth surfing without sacks. Surprised to see that comment. I have surfed a ton of waves without sacs that are worth it.

Coulda fooled me? Your the one that said "Man what I would do to get my VTX back". Almost everyone I know in the wakesurfing game knows you gotta wieght it for a good wave. I agree with 06, you probably have never riden a "good" wave on a boat that's properly rolled over. Give it a try, I think you'll like it.

[InvisibleMask]

On my LSV I can now go ropeless with no weight added other than a couple passengers. It's tough to do but I can do it for a good amount of time now.

I just got a 750lb sac and probably will get one more but I'm leaning toward a bigger board before adding more weight to the boat. The 750lb sac helped some but it didn't make or break it to be honest.

Also, I go with the wedge at the "Z" on the guage (about 80% full wedge) and 9.2 mph. I've tried a lot of combos and thats what does it for me.

The wave is a little sloppy compared to some pictures i've seen here but i did notice one thing. When a passenger sits in a seat it doesn't compare to them sitting on the deck or leaning over the side of the boat some. That alone changes the wave a lot.

[Bobby Light]

On my LSV I can now go ropeless with no weight added other than a couple passengers. It's tough to do but I can do it for a good amount of time now.

I just got a 750lb sac and probably will get one more but I'm leaning toward a bigger board before adding more weight to the boat. The 750lb sac helped some but it didn't make or break it to be honest.

Also, I go with the wedge at the "Z" on the guage (about 80% full wedge) and 9.2 mph. I've tried a lot of combos and thats what does it for me.

The wave is a little sloppy compared to some pictures i've seen here but i did notice one thing. When a passenger sits in a seat it doesn't compare to them sitting on the deck or leaning over the side of the boat some. That alone changes the wave a lot.

That's why I run weight, I can't ride 9.8 mph it's boring. I ride 12 mph+. You have to go really slow when you don't have any wieght in the boat.

Edited July 13, 2010 by 06vlx

[TrickyNicky]

On my LSV I can now go ropeless with no weight added other than a couple passengers. It's tough to do but I can do it for a good amount of time now.

I just got a 750lb sac and probably will get one more but I'm leaning toward a bigger board before adding more weight to the boat. The 750lb sac helped some but it didn't make or break it to be honest.

Also, I go with the wedge at the "Z" on the guage (about 80% full wedge) and 9.2 mph. I've tried a lot of combos and thats what does it for me.

The wave is a little sloppy compared to some pictures i've seen here but i did notice one thing. When a passenger sits in a seat it doesn't compare to them sitting on the deck or leaning over the side of the boat some. That alone changes the wave a lot.

on that comment. And I find that the cheapest ballast ever when I'm with my more regular crew, but when I was with some newbies this weekend it frustrated me a little because I didn't want them hanging off the side of the boat. Still surfed no problem (VTX ) but not as quality as with my regulars.

[Bill_AirJunky]

on that comment. And I find that the cheapest ballast ever when I'm with my more regular crew, but when I was with some newbies this weekend it frustrated me a little because I didn't want them hanging off the side of the boat. Still surfed no problem (VTX ) but not as quality as with my regulars.

And it gets us in trouble with the popo too. If surfing is banned someday, it will be things like this that make it happen.