wake enhancement

[bullet1w]

I thought this was pretty cool until I saw the price (about $2500)

http://www.switchbladewake.com/

[blindside]

Man, I would love to only need the ballast in the truck and some sort of wedge.  I am emailing with Dave at switchblade to see if it would fit our boat.  I have sent him some transom pics and may need to take some measurements.

I was thinking about cutting the wakeplate at the edge of the transom, welding a hinge on it and then a pushdown hydralic to push the wakeplate down, what do you guys think about that?  I think the hull could handle it but I'm not sure how much it would really help....

[toyotafreak]

Pushing down on the wakeplate would help any bow-rise or planing problems. It won't help your wake any, though it might let you get out of the hole with more weight on board.

The wedge would be interesting, but protect yourself from structural and gelcoat damage resulting from the added stresses. The mfr should be able to sign on for that (don't know if they would, but they should.)

Would be great to get the mfr to hook you up with a local owner for a demo run. If it's only as good as the Malibu wedge, it wouldn't be enough downforce in itself, and you'd still need weight in the boat. If it's got more bite, then it could be a cool thing.

Also, make sure the design has a breakaway feature so that running aground won't rip your transom off.

[blindside]

I have a new and improved idea. Imagine using the PT-130 Electric Hydraulic Tilt & Trim http://www.boatownersworld.com/CMC/PT-130.htm but mounted under the rear section of the boat where the storage is, attache a fabricated wedge to it, and blammo.? See modified version picture of the PT-130 with a wedge attached.? The PT-130 comes with everything neccassry including tilt gauges, electric hydraulic pump and switches and all.? I am sooo going to do this!!!

Anyone seen any issues?

1/2" 6061 T6 Extruded Aluminum Construction with Stainless Steel Fasteners.
Electric Hydraulic Actuator Rated at 7853 lbs. of Thrust!

[blindside]

Modified view 2

[bullet1w]

Great Idea. However, I think the gelcoat concern is a valid one.  If you try it let me know how it works out.

[blindside]

I am not too concerned about the gelcoat due to the large amount of surface space the mount uses.  Just look how small a space the tower mounts to.

[bullet1w]

True.  That setup would be a lot cheaper than the switchblade too. let me know how it turns out

[bullet1w]

I think I will forgo the SB in favor of the conventional ballast setup.  So far I am thinking V Drive sacs (Big Bumps or similar) and a Fly High Pro X Series Integrated Bow Sac. (The Fly High people said they could do a custom one for $199)
http://www.wakeside.com/page/W/PROD/wakeboard_boat_ballast_bags/fly_high_integrated_bow_sac_w711
Then I have to figure out how to automate the system.  I am not familiar with the flux capacitation it may require to make it all work. I have looked at the other posts and hope I can do it without messing anything up

[Bitzco]

Dude,

Just get some living fat sacs to take along with you. The aoutomation system is not a problem since they work by their own volition. You can place them anywhere you want in the boat and your friends will all be so jealous. A few large size bikini clad passengers is the ultimate ballast and head turner. You'd be the most popular guy on the lake. I'd show you some sample pics of the ballast I'm talking about, but cyclone deleted all the pics I posted of my sisters, cousins, sister in laws and third and fourth wives. Sorry. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[cyclone]

I can help with lots of stuff, you know your boat was wired for a ballast system and may have dash switches already dedicated to that.

I can tell you where to put pumps and what kind, I've had about four generations of ballast system on my boat. Nows' the time for projects!

[Rambling Wreck]

I hear that Prilosec and Prevacid help flux capacitation.

[javman]

I am really interested in building a semi automatic ballast bag system.
Seems like the basics are as follows:
2 v drive bags, 1-2 stern bags. REversible pump tee'd off the raw water intake just before the engine to both fill and drain the system.  A manifold system hooked up to some valves with electric selonoids (sp?) and switches.

That's about as far as I have made it.
my next question is which pump should I use?  Switches?  Valves?

[bullet1w]

Pete
I didn't realize that the S-22s were wired for ballast systems.  It makes sense now that I think about it.  Could you summerize your latest and greatest recommendations for pumps, hardware and the like?.
Thanks
Dave
...Part of the pepcid generation

[cyclone]

Toyota used Jabsco water puppies  originally and later on used Rule 1100's. I use both on my boat for my system. The two different types of pumps have their good points and bad points. Aerator (rule) and impeller (Jabsco)