Epic S22 / gear ratios

[h20proof]

When you told me about the gear ratio difference between the S22 and SX, I thought I had made up my mind to get an SX.  However, the only SX I can find is just too expensive for a used boat.  So now I am thinking again about the S22.  I really like the one that is for sale, except for the fact that it doesn't have a ballast and has a different gear ratio.
SX and S22 owners;
Will I notice a big difference in power between the two?
I will use the boat for intermediate/advanced wakeboarding and also a lot of surfing. 
The price difference between the two is about $10,000.  I figure I can make a hell of a ballast for 1/10 that price.
Just want to make sure the rest of the S22 will suit my needs.
Thanks.

[festivus]

Proud S22 owner, and you can get the same wake on the S22 as on the SX, just flood the hull with water.? You don't even need fat sacks.? Then bilge it out when you are done.? See the previous post "biggest ballast ever on an S22- help!"A 10k difference is alot, but the heater, shower, ballast, etc is sure nice too.? I often wish I had that stuff... Where do you live? Idaho, right, so a heater and shower would be really nice to have.? Just helping you think of the things I didn't.? I do love my S22 though.? Wait and find an SX that is cheaper.? Are you looking at the new one in Washington?? He'll take anything for it, he's had it for so long...

[h20proof]

The S22 looks mint....and, I can always add a heater later on, right?  My last boat didn't have a heater; so we used women. 

The SX is the one in Washington...I'll see if he'll take a low offer, otherwise I think the S22 will treat me right.

[ColdNorth]

Speaking of ratios, I have an 99 Epic 21 I am replacing (I love that boat) because I purchased a 2000 X22 for the open bow. I have a 3 blade prop that gives me just over 50 mph on the Epic 21 but I tried my X22 for the first time last night and my engine is spinning much faster and the boat is going much slower.

I will check the pitch on the props tonight but the difference is so significant that I am concerned they have a different gear ratio... does anyone know if I do have a different ratio for sure? I am going to try switching the props as well to see how much difference that makes.

I also noticed that the engine sound is quieter on the X22. The Epic 21 was loud and everyone on the lake including me loved the sound. This one is not quite so pronounced... any idea how to get my old sound back?

[Rambling Wreck]

I have no business chiming in on this thread since I don't have a clue about gear ratios. I just had to add that I have an E21 and also LOVE the sound of it. I look forward to starting it up the first time every spring just to hear it. I particularly like hard turns at slow to moderate speeds that pull one of the exhaust outlets up and then accelerate out of the turn. Of course, I used to have a Harley and cored the mufflers just to make more noise also!!!

[cyclone]

the gear ratio is on the tag on the trans, it should be 1.23 to 1 The SX is 1.46 to 1, there is a big difference, about 300 rpm at top end. Same top end speed, 38mph w/PP, just turning faster.

[toyotafreak]

Pete, isn't maybe 300 rpm at 22 mph closer? Not sure what prop you're running and what influence that has, but my 1.23:1 gets 43 true with the 13x13 ss 4-blade, and the stock OJ Nibral 13x13 3-blade was about that. IIRC, the SX and X22 shipped with a similar prop, but with the different ratio.

I'm probably 300 rpm short of redline, so you do make 6K, right? Still, it doesn't seem like 300 rpm at WOT would equal 5 mph. I know you're pulling at least 300 moer than me at wakeboard speed, though (to add to whatever down-pitch an ACME would add).

Cross fingers, first weekend out will be next weekend (Havasu). Boat's been sitting since October :-( Tried to go this past week but it was 77 and WINDY. IIRC, yesterday was 107 and clear.

[cyclone]

I hit 5800 at 38 mph in my old boat with a prop similar to my SX, a 4 blade OJ with heavy cup. I get to 6109 at the same speed in the SX. My old boat was around 3400 at boarding speed when loaded with 1500 and people. The new boat with stock ballast and people is around 3700, I will check again today. Gonna be 85 and sunny.

My pal Don has a little Glastron speedboat he's restoring, its the same one James Bond (not) used to set a world record jump in the movie Live and Let Die. We're gonna go tear it up in that thing today too. Here's a pic of one.