Homemade delta wakeshaper

[prion]

So a friend and I attempted to make a delta wake shaper out of a glass suction cup handle and HDPE. I'm all in for about $30. I don't think it turned out to bad. I hope to test it out this weekend. Let me know what you all think. 

[BlackBluMalibu]

Great idea, but you may need to lessen the angle... Appears to be too close to 90 degree. Surf gate comes off about 45 to 50 degrees when fully deployed. By lessening the angle it will also allow some pressure to be relieved from front to back on the cups and provide more side load pressure, making it easier for them to hold in place. Good luck with it and post your outcome!

[DUKENO1]

looks good! can't wait to hear/see results!

[blk93jeepzj]

Here is the one that I built and did a test run with last weekend.  Look up thread "aftermarket surfgate".

 

Just need to tame the excess spray.

[prion]

Blk93, what are the dimensions on your paddle? We guessed at 6x10 tapering to 5 at the top. 

[blk93jeepzj]

9 x 7

[Bigstic]

What suction cups are you guys getting?  Was looking on Amazon and quite a few different options and seems like a lot of stress for the plastic handle ones.  I'm going to give this a try as it looks a lot simpler than screwing with another fake gate for goofy side.

[prion]

I searched on Amazon and ordered the only black one I saw available(to match the boat). It was the FastCap HOD-DOUBLE Handle On Demand. Honestly it's much stronger than I expected and once we added all the HDPE it's even stronger. I have no concerns with the integrity. 

[blk93jeepzj]

An el cheapo from Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/dual-cup-suction-lifter-46134.html 

[footndale]

Maybe you guys do, but a safety strap to the device and boat probably would be beneficial.

Might pass this idea on to friend to try.

 

[blk93jeepzj]

32 minutes ago, footndale said:

Maybe you guys do, but a safety strap to the device and boat probably would be beneficial.

Might pass this idea on to friend to try.

 

My testing one is wood and floats well.  After I settle on a design I'll add some sort of flotation to find it if it comes loose.  I would rather it fall off and away from the boat instead of letting it beat the back of the boat while tethered to it some how.  

Edited May 18, 2016 by blk93jeepzj
spelling

[onwi]

I believe delta has a lanyard that is run to the back of the boat.  Hopefully that would mean that in the event of a release it would simply drag behind the boat rather than beat on the gel.

[saxton15]

12 minutes ago, onwi said:

I believe delta has a lanyard that is run to the back of the boat.  Hopefully that would mean that in the event of a release it would simply drag behind the boat rather than beat on the gel.

It appears to be some sort of a bungee cord

[Ndawg12]

If so, that sounds like a bad idea, I could see a bungee shooting something back into the boat before a regular rope.

[onwi]

More like a coiled plastic wrapped cable than a bungie - I'm sure they wouldn't put something on there that would store some energy like a bungie.

[blk93jeepzj]

Think I'll just make sure mine floats and pick it up with the downed rider when it falls off.

[footndale]

3 hours ago, blk93jeepzj said:

Think I'll just make sure mine floats and pick it up with the downed rider when it falls off.

Make blaze orange so you can see it.:)

[braindamage]

11 hours ago, prion said:

So a friend and I attempted to make a delta wake shaper out of a glass suction cup handle and HDPE. I'm all in for about $30. I don't think it turned out to bad. I hope to test it out this weekend. Let me know what you all think. 

Definitely interested in this. I ordered a delta and am waiting for shipment.

11 hours ago, blk93jeepzj said:

Here is the one that I built and did a test run with last weekend.  Look up thread "aftermarket surfgate".

 

Just need to tame the excess spray.

Was the spray due to the wrong angle? Too big a paddle? Too high/low on the hull?

[Chatty21VLX]

Post specs on the project??

[blk93jeepzj]

10 hours ago, braindamage said:

Definitely interested in this. I ordered a delta and am waiting for shipment.

Was the spray due to the wrong angle? Too big a paddle? Too high/low on the hull?

Think most of the spray was d/t the placement on the hull, ie to much out of the water.  In the picture below (same as my hull, not my boat) there is a slight curve to the white gel, so I attached it to where the gel is blue as far back as I could on the hull.  I had enough weight in the boat if I could move it a bit forward, I believe that there is less curve.  We shall see this weekend.  

[prion]

Chatty21, we guessed on the paddle dimensions. We did ours at 6x10 tapering to 5 inches at the top. I'm not sure on the angle of the paddle either. After I test it, if it works, I'll measure the angle. if not we will re-asses. 

[blk93jeepzj]

Mine is 7 X 9.  Same as the size listed on Missions site for the Delta.  74* angle

[Kordtsy]

Prion, how did you attach the hdpe to the cups? Seems to be 2 pieces sandwiched together with long screws . Thanks

[prion]

Kordtsy, we took the suction cups off the bases and then put 2 screws through each base and 2 long screws through the middle under the handle to wedge it together. 

 

BLK, where did you see the dimensions on the delta website?

[sidekicknicholas]

I made my second gen version last night and it worked awesome for our 04' LSV.

6.5"x9" panel (I think I want to go up to an 8x10") .... used the HoD from Amazon.  Attached two gusset HDPE pieces to the cups via two long bolts that ran through the HDPE and handle from the HoD.  Main blade of the suckgate was attached with screws.

 

I just did a quick test with it but on the LSV with only ~1250 lbs of ballast (1000 rear, 250 front), and the wedge down, the wave was better than ANY listed setup I've ever had.