Surf w/ Sportster - worried about gas vent

[Badger]

I'd like to try and set up our Sportster to get enough of a wave that my 130 wife can surf. She surfs on the goofy side and I'm worried about what I assume is the gas tank vent on the topside of the deck in the back corner. With the low freeboard of the Sportster, I'm worried about taking on a roller when I kill the throttle.

I'm assuming I can't tape that completely off, as I'd create a vacuum in the tank??

Any suggestions here?

[JasonK]

Mine gets hit hard with every surf stop (it's on the center of the transom, low). I added a Racor thingy and I've been ok. Maybe add one as a back-up.

[Badger]

Mine gets hit hard with every surf stop (it's on the center of the transom, low). I added a Racor thingy and I've been ok. Maybe add one as a back-up.

Thanks Jason...I did a quick search on Racor. Are you talking about a water/fuel separator that goes in line before the carb?

[Ndawg12]

People on here have taped or plugged without any problems, just make sure you remove it when your done. Some have also turned it so the opening is toward the transom.

[Badger]

People on here have taped or plugged without any problems, just make sure you remove it when your done. Some have also turned it so the opening is toward the transom.

I thought I had seen the same thing, but couldn't find it when searching. But I did find people with engine running poorly and some of the suggested fixes were to check and see if the fuel vent was plugged. So I got nervous about plugging.

I was thinking about getting a rubber tube, pushing it on, taping it and run the other end into the boat, away from water intrusion.

[Scotty's Sporty]

Worried about the gas vent! lmao! heck I cant even turn the boat around to get a down skier without subbing it, let alone loading it up and trying to surf with it! hahaha that is the craziest thing I've ever ever heard, I LOVE IT! i wont say it hasn't crossed my mind but I wouldn't have imagined it was possible? what kind of weight and where? wedge down I imagine? and you had mentioned for your wife does that mean we can't get the wake big enough for big guys 200+? Oh this is great you have all kinds of stuff running through my mind now, please let me know how this works out. I think if I sunk our boat my wife would probably.......... I'm sure you know

[Ndawg12]

Your new buddy MartinArcher is going to show you how to surf with an '88 skier in a couple weeks, that's even more impressive. With enough weight and list I'd imagine you could surf about anything.

[Ndawg12]

I thought I had seen the same thing, but couldn't find it when searching. But I did find people with engine running poorly and some of the suggested fixes were to check and see if the fuel vent was plugged. So I got nervous about plugging.

I was thinking about getting a rubber tube, pushing it on, taping it and run the other end into the boat, away from water intrusion.

That's how we'd do it down here in NC, fugly but effective

[99response]

Thanks Jason...I did a quick search on Racor. Are you talking about a water/fuel separator that goes in line before the carb?

He's talking about the Racor LG50 Fuel/Air separator.

-Chris

[Badger]

Worried about the gas vent! lmao! heck I cant even turn the boat around to get a down skier without subbing it, let alone loading it up and trying to surf with it! hahaha that is the craziest thing I've ever ever heard, I LOVE IT! i wont say it hasn't crossed my mind but I wouldn't have imagined it was possible? what kind of weight and where? wedge down I imagine? and you had mentioned for your wife does that mean we can't get the wake big enough for big guys 200+? Oh this is great you have all kinds of stuff running through my mind now, please let me know how this works out. I think if I sunk our boat my wife would probably.......... I'm sure you know

Seriously...I've had this boat for about 3 weeks now. I'm not sure what level of sarcasm you're giving me. I don't think I've hit the vent with water yet. Isn't that a direct tube, right to the tank? I'd think it'd not be good if I'm going be subbing it everytime I turn around.

So I'm guessing you're serious about not consider surfing it. I slowed the boat down last night and it looked like I could get a surf-able wave without doing too much. I don't have the wedge, but do have 800 lbs of sacs ready to load up. I used to surf with my iRide and I think I have the same hull, just different top deck.

Edited July 29, 2010 by Badger

[Scotty's Sporty]

Thats the problem with text, I wasn't picking fun, I'M ALL FOR IT! I just look at my boat in the water (the freeboard) and didn't think it would be possible. I'm new to my boat also so I have no idea what it can do or not do. If it's possible to surf it, I'll have a surfboard on order that day. Keep me informed. like Ndawg said in a few weeks at the east coast WOW I will be getting a crash course from "THE MAN", I'm pretty sure I will even have a notebook handy, he has forgotten more about my boat than I'll ever know! and he's never even seen it!

[Scotty's Sporty]

How far are you from Ohio? Look up the east coast wow and head on down, we'll sink our boats together (that was sarcasm)! Lol Seriously check it out

[98buphon]

How far are you from Ohio? Look up the east coast wow and head on down, we'll sink our boats together (that was sarcasm)! Lol Seriously check it out

Yeah Badger come on down. I'd love to see my old boat on the water again.

[Badger]

Yeah Badger come on down. I'd love to see my old boat on the water again.

So far the boat's been great. The engine pulls strong on that light boat! I'm struggling with the cover. Did you keep the boat on the trailer and use the straps? I didn't need straps on my last cover so it's taken a little getting used to. But a new canopy will be on order by tomorrow, so no worries.

Sorry, probably no road trips for this year. After moving, my wife has got our time booked up with mini-weekend vacations for the rest of the summer.

[98buphon]

So far the boat's been great. The engine pulls strong on that light boat! I'm struggling with the cover. Did you keep the boat on the trailer and use the straps? I didn't need straps on my last cover so it's taken a little getting used to. But a new canopy will be on order by tomorrow, so no worries.

Sorry, probably no road trips for this year. After moving, my wife has got our time booked up with mini-weekend vacations for the rest of the summer.

Yeah I always had the boat on the trailer and the straps worked great that way. I wish there was something else I could tell you to help out. Don't forget to get me your address so I can get the extra oil to you. There are 6qts so that is enough for one free oil change. Either call or PM me and I will get it shipped out.

[martinarcher]

Scotty....surf's up!

1000lbs of ballast and the wave is pretty nice. You are flirting with water on the rub rail, but I've been out surfing on pretty rough days and as long as your careful and keep the bow or high side to the rollers all is well. We've had a bit come over the side, but it's nothing I can't shop vac up when I get home.

The push of the wave actually rocks!

Edited July 29, 2010 by martinarcher

[Scotty's Sporty]

you are something else my man, something else!!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!! that is awesome, hopefully I can try if you don't mind?

[JasonK]

damn Martin, that looks better than mine and I run two 700 lb. lounge seats, plus coolers on the deck. Almost impossible not to take on water though.

[martinarcher]

you are something else my man, something else!!!!!!!!! LMAO!!!! that is awesome, hopefully I can try if you don't mind?

Thanks man.

Heck yeah! That's what the WOW is all about! Surfin' for sure!

[martinarcher]

damn Martin, that looks better than mine and I run two 700 lb. lounge seats, plus coolers on the deck. Almost impossible not to take on water though.

You certainly have to be careful, but if you watch you can keep the boat dry all day surfing. It certainly takes a patient driver and someone who is aware of other boats and oncoming rollers! If your running 1400lbs then you know! Your probably sitting lower than I am!

The funny thing is we always used to have someone sitting on the rear surf corner tending the rope and adding ballast to that corner and usuanlly another on the rear bag. The last two times out we didn't have anyone except my wife and my buddies wife. My buddy drove and both girls sat in the observers seat and the wave was better than ever. I think the little bit of weight forward helps to open up the pocket. I could really surf back off the boat farther than usual.

[Brad B]

Seriously...I've had this boat for about 3 weeks now. I'm not sure what level of sarcasm you're giving me. I don't think I've hit the vent with water yet. Isn't that a direct tube, right to the tank? I'd think it'd not be good if I'm going be subbing it everytime I turn around.

So I'm guessing you're serious about not consider surfing it. I slowed the boat down last night and it looked like I could get a surf-able wave without doing too much. I don't have the wedge, but do have 800 lbs of sacs ready to load up. I used to surf with my iRide and I think I have the same hull, just different top deck.

I don't worry about it and mine is submerged often from surfing - even with the highly coveted diamond hull.

I've never had any issues - I just assume that with the very small tube and the high "loop" that it was designed to NOT draw in water.

But what I have seen is folks gas cap not on tight or O-ring missing and take on water thru the gas cap.

So now theres something new for you to worry about - thank me later.

[TrickyNicky]

I don't worry about it and mine is submerged often from surfing - even with the highly coveted diamond hull.

I've never had any issues - I just assume that with the very small tube and the high "loop" that it was designed to NOT draw in water.

But what I have seen is folks gas cap not on tight or O-ring missing and take on water thru the gas cap.

So now theres something new for you to worry about - thank me later.

Constantly just killing me!

[Lance B. Johnson]

Worried about the gas vent! lmao! heck I cant even turn the boat around to get a down skier without subbing it, let alone loading it up and trying to surf with it! hahaha that is the craziest thing I've ever ever heard, I LOVE IT! i wont say it hasn't crossed my mind but I wouldn't have imagined it was possible? what kind of weight and where? wedge down I imagine? and you had mentioned for your wife does that mean we can't get the wake big enough for big guys 200+? Oh this is great you have all kinds of stuff running through my mind now, please let me know how this works out. I think if I sunk our boat my wife would probably.......... I'm sure you know

Once I learned how to drive, slow down and pick up a rider I have never even been close to taking on water. Not even close. Trying not to be offensive but you must be doing something wrong???

[Scotty's Sporty]

no offense taken ruffdog my reply was a bit exagerated, but not far from true. i have been on the water my whole life, my last boat was a 29' sea ray on lake erie (very rough body of water, 6-8 ft waves not uncommon) but an inboard ski boat especially a sporty that has a freeboard of all about ten inches is whole different animal to tame. i am sure over time I will get used to it and learn it, my reply to Badger was out of laughter that he was going to try and surf my same boat, I was giving him props for knowing his boat well enough to even consider doing that, I am not there yet on knowing my boat. I am not that guy who doesn't loook for or like opinions or critisism, I welcome it with open arms. At the East coast wow I will probably drive those guys nuts asking questions and looking over there shoulders, but that is how you learn and furtunately those guys seem to be willing to teach and by the sounds of it have alot to teach. So believe me Ruffdogg no offense was taken if you got some pointers or tips throw'em at me cause I'll take'em.

Edited July 30, 2010 by Scotty's Sporty

[Badger]

Well, on the spur of the moment last night, my wife surfed. Since we weren't planning on it ahead of time, here's the set-up. One 400 lb Fly-HI V-drive sac on the driver's side of the motor box and 85 lbs of kids in the spotter's seat, me driving. That's it. And nothing on the vent.

My wife got up right away and we were able to find a small pocket for her by adjusting the speed. Of course, I have no idea how fast we were going but, I'd guess around 8 mph. The problem is that the pocket was about a foot off the back of the platform.

So maybe later this week we'll go out again and add the 2nd V-drive sac in an L formation where the rear seat should be. I may have to put something up under the closed bow as well.

But it works. You can definitely surf behind the Sportster.