WakeSurf Swim Deck

[brad]

I decided to follow Wakehead's approach and modify my swim deck -- to reduce the interference to the wave when I wake surf.  I ordered an extra set of swim deck brackets from Capt Rick and bought 3/4 inch plywood for the prototype.

The original composite swim deck is 64 inches wide and approximately 20 inched deep.  I fashioned the plywood prototype by trimming 6 inches off the each end and cutting the corners at roughly 45 degrees.

When I mounted the plywood prototype to the brackets directly, the swim deck sits lower in the water than the original composite swim deck because the composite deck has a riser built in.  I tested the direct mount then added a 1 1/2 inch riser.  The added riser places the swim deck at the same position as the composite deck at the water line in a resting state.  When under power, the riser interferes with the wave.

Any opinions on the pro's and con's of mounting the swim deck without the riser -- at a resting state, the swim deck is submerged a couple of inches?

[wakejunky]

Hey Brad-

 i blew up my knee and it looks like i will be taking up wakesurfing. Im looking into how to modify my swim deck as well. so are you saying when the plywood is mounted directly it does NOT interfere with the wave? how big of a surf wave have you got the SX to make? Also what boards have you tried and what do you recommend?

[brad]

Yes, the plywood prototype mounted without any risers seems to not interfere.  I'll test it again in the next day or so.  May even take a few pictures so you can see how it looks.

The wave is decent size (not like my friends Centurion 23 Enzo with a switchblade) but sufficient for me.  I'm currently placing a 700 fat sac in the starboard locker with a v-drive fat sack partially filled on top of it.  I put a v-drive fat sack in the walkway in the bow partially filled.  I set PP between 9.8 and 10.3 mph.

For surf boards, I have most of the inland surfer product line (4 Skim, Yellow Loogey, Carbon Blue Lake and Woody Red Tide).  I use the Red Tide since I'm a big boy.  My sons each like a different board depending on how they like to ride.

[wakejunky]

thanks for the reply Brad. Pics would be great. the modified deck, the wake, people riding, anything you throw my way would be appreciated. I had been looking at the "blue lake" it has gotten alot of good reviews. Thanks again.

[brad]

Here are some photo's of the prototype.  First two at wakeboarding speed.  Last one at wakesurfing speed, port side.

3/4 inch plywood mounted directly on brackets (no risers).

[Johnny B]

I've been trying several different weight situations and still haven't got a very nice surf wake.  I may try it with no platform at all and see how that works.  I still need to get the stock ballast working again but I have about 2500lbs of fat sacks.   If I get something to work I will post it.

[FreeLance]

Blindside posted up some pretty nice wakesurfing pictures from his S22. The ballast setup was 900lbs in the front, 400 lbs Vdrive starboard and 400 lbs trunk starboard side with 4 people in the boat.

This setup makes a lot of sense as it would flatten the boat out and keep the swimstep from interfering with the wake and still sink the boat enough to create a nice wave on one side.  He did not say anything about removing the swimstep or making modifications so I assume it was still the stock setup.

http://www.epicmarine.com/forum4/index.php?topic=817.0

[Johnny B]

i am going a bit extreme and raising my deck just to the top of my transom light with at 7 1/2" riser. should be done tomorrow and then off to the lake.  with no deck at all the wake forms nice.  this pic has 700lb in front, the passenger side ballast tank full and 350 in the back on the same side and only 3 people in the boat. 

[brad]

Maiden voyage of new, modified swim deck platform.

I took a Toyota Teak platform and cut the ends and the corners off.  I left it at the standard height with no added risers.

Put 750 fat sac on starboard side in bow.  No internal ballast.  Another 750 fat sac on starboard side V-drive locker.

Ran at approximately 10 mph in a shallow 10 feet deep lake (Utah Lake).  Will probably get a taller wave once I try it in a deeper lake.

Underway we noticed the water flow grabs a little at the corner of the swim deck near the bracket location.  Doesn't seem to interfere with the wave just causes a little upward spray.

I'm pretty happy with the results.

Any feedback is welcome!

Brad

[brad]

Here's some pics.