1997 Response Wake Surf setup

[Fozz]

We just bought a 1997 Response. Going to ski and wakeboard with adults. Also want to get into wake surfing. Looking for tips and tricks on how to use this boat as a beginner surf boat!  Young kids and parents that ski and barefoot on the boom. Any help is appreciated. 

[iwam]

For surfing with our Echelon, we use a 750 fat sac on each side of the engine, as well as a 400 lb in the bow.  You will need to drive in circles to get a good wave, unless you buy or build a suck-gate.  We didn't surf all of last year though, much easier just to hop in the water and ski versus the time it takes get the boat set up for surfing

[UWSkier]

16 hours ago, Fozz said:

We just bought a 1997 Response. Going to ski and wakeboard with adults. Also want to get into wake surfing. Looking for tips and tricks on how to use this boat as a beginner surf boat!  Young kids and parents that ski and barefoot on the boom. Any help is appreciated. 

How many other surf boats on your lake?  I know with the lake I frequent here in AZ, when the surfers come out, it's time to park the Response.  Tons of new, huge surf boats out here that will put water in my boat without any ballast on board if I'm not careful.  There's no doubt that with 1500 lbs of weight plus a few pax on board they could easily swamp me.

[Eagleboy99]

Lots of monster surf boats on my lake and my 99 RLX is fine.  Unless you are not paying attention.  As for a surf gate, dos the 97 have the same stepped hull?  If so, then you  can't use a regular suck-gate.

[UWSkier]

On 4/26/2019 at 5:31 PM, Eagleboy99 said:

Lots of monster surf boats on my lake and my 99 RLX is fine.  Unless you are not paying attention.  As for a surf gate, dos the 97 have the same stepped hull?  If so, then you  can't use a regular suck-gate.

when you're underway, yeah.  I did have a big roller hit my back right corner and dump a ton of water into my trunk when parked.  It's not scary... but bet with 1500 lbs of ballast on board it might be.

[Eagleboy99]

I moor offshore and the d-bag surfers routinely pass close by - and there is no issue.  Of course with 1000-1500 lbs, it is different and you do have to pay attention.