Jump to content

Welcome to TheMalibuCrew!

As a guest, you are welcome to poke around and view the majority of the content that we have to offer, but in order to post, search, contact members, and get full use out of the website you will need to Register for an Account. It's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the TheMalibuCrew Family today!

Opinions on aftermarket Surf gates


Smdutchy

Recommended Posts

Hi all,

Just wanting to know what different aftermarket surf gates there are out there. I have a 2011 VTX and have been looking at the following non permanent types. I have thought about permanent but I don't really want to spend that sort of money unless the factory one was available to retro fit.

My preference for the below is the Mission at it looks a bit nicer.

What are people's thoughts?

Wicked wave

http://www.wickedwakesurf.com

Wakemakers Ronix Eight.3

http://www.wakemakers.com/eight3-wakesurf-shaper.html

Mission

https://www.missionboatgear.com

Link to comment

Hi all,

Just wanting to know what different aftermarket surf gates there are out there. I have a 2011 VTX and have been looking at the following non permanent types. I have thought about permanent but I don't really want to spend that sort of money unless the factory one was available to retro fit.

My preference for the below is the Mission at it looks a bit nicer.

What are people's thoughts?

Wicked wave

http://www.wickedwakesurf.com

Wakemakers Ronix Eight.3

http://www.wakemakers.com/eight3-wakesurf-shaper.html

Mission

https://www.missionboatgear.com

either one other than the Ronix "my boat looks stupid now" wedge.

Link to comment

The wicked wave has been a great addition to our 08 VLX. Only downside I can think of is having to find somewhere to store them. I have both sides and typically keep them in the rear lockers during wakeboarding and they still fit when i fill my 750 bags 1/2 full. When surfing I move the extra side to the bow. They take less than a minute to hookup and remove.

Edited by BlitzedVLX
Link to comment

Does anyone know how much the wakemakers system is? Has anyone installed on on an LSV it looks pretty nice!

Yepppp.... freaking awesome.... best thing you can do to your non surf boat (imho)... it is the same as gosurfassit.com (which is where I purchased mine since they did the install)

http://www.themalibucrew.com/index.php?/topic/58248-wakemakers-wave-control/page-2

Let me know if you have any questions on the system or want a demo (I live in south east Texas)

After taxes, I paid right around $4,300.00

Link to comment

I bought both the wicked wake and the mission surf side panel. I ordered just the port side from wicked last year and it works awesome. It comes in two pieces so you have to put it together and a turn buckle with a ratchet hold it tight against the swim deck and transom. Mission is almost the same design but it clamps and its supposed to float. I made a cable tether for the wicked. I fill my 4 stock hard tanks plus 500lbs more in each locker and it throws a nice long tall wave! Gonna try 1100lb in each locker and a different prop this year. Great products for the money, wicked was about $275 shipped and mission on black Friday was about $340 shipped. Both have deals I believe if you buy the pair. I wish I could afford wake makers but these both are great alternatives.

Link to comment

Yepppp.... freaking awesome.... best thing you can do to your non surf boat (imho)... it is the same as gosurfassit.com (which is where I purchased mine since they did the install)

http://www.themalibucrew.com/index.php?/topic/58248-wakemakers-wave-control/page-2

Let me know if you have any questions on the system or want a demo (I live in south east Texas)

After taxes, I paid right around $4,300.00

+1...................What Kerpluxal said!!!

Link to comment

I have modified my wicked wake so both sides will fit in my wake board racks. I have 4 tower racks (8 boards) and usually carry: wicked wake for both sides = 1 rack, 2 surfboards and have room for 4 more wake boards. Back on the trailer I will put them in a locker or just set them on the floor for travel.

Link to comment

I have modified my wicked wake so both sides will fit in my wake board racks. I have 4 tower racks (8 boards) and usually carry: wicked wake for both sides = 1 rack, 2 surfboards and have room for 4 more wake boards. Back on the trailer I will put them in a locker or just set them on the floor for travel.

Id love to see a picture of this.

Link to comment

I have modified my wicked wake so both sides will fit in my wake board racks. I have 4 tower racks (8 boards) and usually carry: wicked wake for both sides = 1 rack, 2 surfboards and have room for 4 more wake boards. Back on the trailer I will put them in a locker or just set them on the floor for travel.

That's a cool idea. Have you got a photo?

Link to comment

This is substantially more expensive however it gives you the ability to control the operation like a factory installation.

http://www.wakemakers.com/wavecontrol

I have seen this and think it is sensational. The price is the killer for me. Being in Australia it would cost me $5,820 AUD plus freight and installation. That's a bit much unfortunately.

I do like the wake shaper as it is universal and can be flat packed for easy storage.

The Mission is also good. I can always paint it or vinyl wrap it to match the boat.

If they can fit in the board rack then that would be ideal.

I'll see what the wake shaper cost to freight to Aus.

Link to comment

There was just a thread the other day the guy used Martinarchers control and said he was into the build for $2000 it's was on an 05

http://www.themalibucrew.com/index.php?/topic/58663-surf-gate-install-on-2005-lsv-diamond-hull/

I went with a stock-like system for several reasons:

Push button quick and easy to deploy and change sides while stopped or moving (like stock or WaveControl).

Possible to steer the boat normally when turning around to pickup fallen surfers (a problem with all the strap on, Velcro, or suction cup removable gates).

Cheaper than buying a new boat.

Cheaper than the Wakemakers WaveControl.

I could have made a WaveControl type system using martinarchers controller at a bit higher cost than the one I did ( but lower cost than WaveControl) - and it would have been a less complicated install. The only difference would have been having to buy a couple Lenco trim tabs.

It would be interested to see the difference between the side gate systems and the trim tab systems. Is one better than the other or do they both have their own advantages?

Link to comment

Yes, the down side of any fixed gate is low speed steering. It's extremely difficult and takes practice to pick up the rider

it's different but I had my wife trained the first day. "extremely difficult" is a bit extreme. It does take a little longer but it's not that hard.

Link to comment

Tower off boat but you get the idea on how I carry my wicked wake. I had to drill a third 1" hole in each to fit on the rack.

That looks neat enough and gets them out if the boat which is one of my main concerns seeing as i only have a 20' VTX.

Nice work.

http://www.themalibucrew.com/index.php?/topic/58663-surf-gate-install-on-2005-lsv-diamond-hull/

I went with a stock-like system for several reasons:

Push button quick and easy to deploy and change sides while stopped or moving (like stock or WaveControl).

Possible to steer the boat normally when turning around to pickup fallen surfers (a problem with all the strap on, Velcro, or suction cup removable gates).

Cheaper than buying a new boat.

Cheaper than the Wakemakers WaveControl.

I could have made a WaveControl type system using martinarchers controller at a bit higher cost than the one I did ( but lower cost than WaveControl) - and it would have been a less complicated install. The only difference would have been having to buy a couple Lenco trim tabs.

It would be interested to see the difference between the side gate systems and the trim tab systems. Is one better than the other or do they both have their own advantages?

The steering problem is painful at the start but when you know how to work with it you just get on with the job.

The automatic systems are definitely the go for several reasons.

- Controlled by driver or rider so you van go from one side to the other. Can't do that with a fixed gate.

- No steering problems when idling

- Don't have to worry about storing them when you aren't using them

The up front cost is the only thing stopping me. As a few of you mention it is still cheaper than upgrading your boat when you put it into perspective. If only there was someone who makes this in Aus.

Edited by Smdutchy
Link to comment

OK, maybe extremely difficult is a bit harsh but with my gate on the starboard side turning to port at low speed is next to imposable. I had to re-learn rider pickup and do stuff that I would never do with a wakeboarder or skier like approaching with rider to port because the boat will not turn to the left. I guess its not that difficult just different and you have to get used to what the boat will and will not do with a gate installed.

I am still happy with my set up but if I where to get a newer boat without a factory surf system I would probably look at spending the money for one of the automatic systems.

Link to comment

Yes you pretty much have to re train the way you pick up skiers. I made a temporary gate to see how the concept works and my boat wound turn left when idling.

The more I look into this the more I am considering a DIY automatic system like the factory one although maybe a temporary one for the remaining summer then start the project.

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...