2019 Model Year Updates/Changes

[TXSurfGorilla]

I am a big fan of the new 2019 25LSV design.  Our family loved our 2016 25LSV,. After getting a chance to surf the 2019 with Jeff Langley it did not disappoint.  This is a boat that preserves that classic "what a boat is supposed to look like profile" while adding some "edge" and a lot of cool upgrades.  As a 300Lb surfer, the length and push of the wave are most important and I would say that this boat delivers.  It certainly surfs a bit better than the 2016 and is on par with the current 24MXZ.  We surfed it stock with PNP bags.  An additional 500-700LB of steel ballast and this boat would be amazing. High compliment coming from a M235 rider.

[UWSkier]

First good photos I've seen of this.  Pretty cool.

I imagine that will be more useful on land than on water TBH.  People won't need to bring ladders with them to get in and out of their boats on the staging ramp anymore.

Edited October 1, 2018 by UWSkier

[Chaabo]

That’s sort of ridiculous. All the wake- and surf-barges I see on the lakes have their platform at or below water level anyways due to being heavily loaded with whatever ballast available. Plus, if someone is not able to climb a platform they are probably better off buying a pontoon boat. 

Sorry, I’m a skier from the bottom of my heart, so not too much sympathy for the big a** wake monsters. 

Edited October 1, 2018 by Chaabo

[teamerickson]

I don’t see any pictures with the step folded up on the swim deck? I sure hope those brackets aren’t just sitting there exposed waiting for knees to hit them?

[UWSkier]

3 minutes ago, Chaabo said:

That’s sort of ridiculous. All the wake- and surf-barges I see on the lakes have their platform at or below water level anyways due to being heavily loaded with whatever ballast available. Plus, if someone is not able to climb a platform they are probably better off buying a pontoon boat. 

It's an F150 man-step for surfers. 

Seriously though, I think it'll be useful for getting in and out of the boat on the trailer.  It's pretty ridiculous these days.  I'm 6'5" and I can't see into a 22LSV on a tandem trailer without going on my tip toes.  I can reach the driver's side cupholder flat-footed on my Response. 

[UWSkier]

1 minute ago, teamerickson said:

I don’t see any pictures with the step folded up on the swim deck? I sure hope those brackets aren’t just sitting there exposed waiting for knees to hit them?

With how I kick and push myself up onto the platform I'd worry about something else hitting those brackets if they protrude...

[Raimie]

12 minutes ago, Chaabo said:

That’s sort of ridiculous. All the wake- and surf-barges I see on the lakes have their platform at or below water level anyways due to being heavily loaded with whatever ballast available. Plus, if someone is not able to climb a platform they are probably better off buying a pontoon boat. 

Sorry, I’m a skier from the bottom of my heart, so not too much sympathy for the big a** wake monsters. 

This has been discussed on here many times. I have taken some flak for installing a swim platform ladder on my last 2 boats. Everyone immediately defaults to the fact that the platform is underwater when loaded. Well, my boat isn't always loaded, and on an axis, the platform is easily 4-5" above the water at any given time. I hardly need any ballast for wakeboarding, mostly just use the wedge. We have frequent swim breaks for my kids (5 & 7) and my primary driver (my 65 year old mom with 2 knee replacements). It makes it easier for them to enjoy the boat with me, its a win-win. The occasional trips to a bay are much better on me with the ladder too so that I don't have to help my kids back into the boat while they jump in 20 or more times. It gets old hearing everyone bashing ladders on here. We get it, you are hardcore and don't need one, either do I, but it makes it a lot more fun for my crew.

Edited October 1, 2018 by Raimie

[Hemmy]

30 minutes ago, UWSkier said:

First good photos I've seen of this.  Pretty cool.

I imagine that will be more useful on land than on water TBH.  People won't need to bring ladders with them to get in and out of their boats on the staging ramp anymore.

That is what the trailer is for.  The trailer was redesigned in 2018 make it easier to step on and then onto the boat.  With a young child, I am a fan of having a step, but to me it looks like that is a big step up to get onto the platform.  Maybe the picture is kind of deceiving.  It looks like a kid would still need to pull themselves up to get onto the platform.

[IXFE]

31 minutes ago, teamerickson said:

I don’t see any pictures with the step folded up on the swim deck? I sure hope those brackets aren’t just sitting there exposed waiting for knees to hit them?

 

[JeffK]

My parents still love to be on the water and love to swim with my kids and watch them do their watersports.  It is tougher for them to get in and out of the water with both of them in their mid-70's, regardless of how deeply I sink the back of the boat.  Life slows down for some as they get older, but I love the idea of having something that makes it easier on them.  I'm not sure they have the arm strength to push themselves up and out, so they end up having to roll onto the platform.  In my mind, they've earned the right to not have to humiliate themselves by rolling out onto the platform.  For that reason, I love this option.

I do agree those brackets look like a swearing fit waiting to happen.  But, like everything else, you'll probably only do it once or twice.  10 years later, I still look down for a hitch every time I walk past the back of my truck.

Edited October 1, 2018 by JeffK
Oxford Comma :)

[Chappy]

1 hour ago, IXFE said:

 

Love the concept for sure but those brackets look like some knee knockers for sure!

[gorilla]

33 minutes ago, Chappy said:

Love the concept for sure but those brackets look like some knee knockers for sure!

Yeah, totally agree. Those are prime placement for taking out a few knee caps. 

[Woodski]

The foldable platform is a benefit of now owning Cobalt.

[lonestar]

Is the folding platform hinge going to drag in the water when surfing?

[G Spot]

2 hours ago, IXFE said:

 

That pic looks familiar... 

[carguy79ta]

4 hours ago, UWSkier said:

First good photos I've seen of this.  Pretty cool.

I imagine that will be more useful on land than on water TBH.  People won't need to bring ladders with them to get in and out of their boats on the staging ramp anymore.

Yeah we bring the small step ladder...am actually thinking about getting an addon ladder for my 257. Unloaded with 1000 lead the SP is about 5 in out of the water, fully ballasted it is 6 in underwater.  When surfing the water is about 10in below the SP, so it wont affect the wave. Another buddy had added one to his boat and my wife likes it..so...will prolly add one.  The integrated SP from the factory is nice. 

[85 Barefoot]

4 hours ago, Hemmy said:

That is what the trailer is for.  The trailer was redesigned in 2018 make it easier to step on and then onto the boat.  With a young child, I am a fan of having a step, but to me it looks like that is a big step up to get onto the platform.  Maybe the picture is kind of deceiving.  It looks like a kid would still need to pull themselves up to get onto the platform.

if you're referring to those trailer steps, they've been around for years.  Just an option.

 

I saw the new flip down in action...it is very well integrated, and if I had a 23 or 25, I'd definitely order.

[eubanks]

Love the wireless charging.  Are they really not going to have that as an option in the 23?  That doesn't make sense to me.

[dalt1]

1 hour ago, G Spot said:

 

The swim step hinges are a bit awkward looking. No worse then the pre 2019 surf pipe though, which I have. As for the knee busters, probably won't be much of an issue because it will probably be deployed whenever people are in water. On second thought, I probably would not pull it down if I was the only one in the water after a set because I jumped in and no body else got in then. I have thought that if they would just wire a fill rear ballast button on the rear transom withing waters reach, that would let you drop the platform from in the water every time you forget before exiting. (which I forget every time it's needed) Wouldn't need to drain just fill, you can drain it after getting back in.

Edited October 1, 2018 by dalt1

[shawndoggy]

wow I think those look a lot worse than the old surf pipe from a safety standpoint.  I'm sure my dogs would love that flip down step though.  Eager to hear how they work out IRL.  What happens if you just run around with the step flipped all the time?

[formulaben]

5 minutes ago, shawndoggy said:

What happens if you just run around with the step flipped all the time?

It means we know you miss your old Cobalt.

[CJAY]

Seems like a great idea for with elderly family members if the price is right.  My guess is it's not a cheap upgrade

[IXFE]

30 minutes ago, shawndoggy said:

wow I think those look a lot worse than the old surf pipe from a safety standpoint.  I'm sure my dogs would love that flip down step though.  Eager to hear how they work out IRL.  What happens if you just run around with the step flipped all the time?

I've been assured by all the surf pipe lovers that swimmers NEVER come in contact with ANYTHING beneath the platform.  

[shawndoggy]

2 minutes ago, IXFE said:

I've been assured by all the surf pipe lovers that swimmers NEVER come in contact with ANYTHING beneath the platform.  

man from those pictures, if the trailing edges of the hinges are "under" and not "behind" the platform tho, it's just barely.  like they're as far back as possible and still under.  I don't *think* the pw2/surfpipe was quite that bad?  I dunno since I have the plebian floater with the less goofy SP design.

[The Hulk]

5 hours ago, IXFE said:

 

No button? Guess I'll have to wait till 2020