Centurion Announces new Quick Surf System

[Dandy]

I will try to make this my last "chime in". If the AVX is for real, I wonder how it would work out for Tige to split the AVX and have each side operate as a separate unit? Maybe it could be used to shape/clean the wave when listed or weigh even and use one side deployed to create delayed convergence. This would then provide the best of both worlds if you will.

[duffymahoney]

I could care less about switching sides, but the ease of filling the boat mostly level and have a good-great wave has my interest peaked. I bet lots of aftermarket systems will be out soon. Suprised there isn't any yet.

[Ewok]

Just re-read my post and I guess I didn't fully explore the continence of the level system in the first point. Point to Duncan, it's a major selling point on the quick switch systems.

[Ewok]

I would lump that handling portion under the "conveniences" of the quick switch systems, which are mostly level attitude boats at idle speeds, but I get what your saying. Tige did address some of that "uneasy" feeling of a listed boat looking like it's going to sink with much higher freeboard in all the new boats, as have most of the other manufacturers.

[Duncan]

I like your points Ewok. But your list does not address the boat handling aspect -- I do not mind driving while listed but the boat does handle terribly. Driving that even weighted G23 was a dream in comparison (not just for my wife, me too).

But like you, I am content to sit with my awesome wave 2009 RZ2 and see what develops over the next few years.

[Ewok]

The issue I think most have is 3 sided dilemma:

1. switching side quickly is cool and deep down inside everyone wishes they could do it.

2. The current quick switchers don't make the wave any "better" (subjectively)

3. The ability to put a quick switching system on an existing boat is very difficult compared to plumbing in bigger ballast bags. This aspect is a huge marketing and sales win for boat manufacturers to sell new boats with very little incentive for them to offer retro kits to existing owners. The thought of getting a new boat just to switch sides quickly seems very expensive and almost impossible for most boat owners, especially with the rising costs of new boats.

I bet tige has something in the works, they have to in order to stay relevant in a market they owned for a bit. Eventually most of the used boats for sale will have some type of quick switching system, but it's going to be 10 years. Right now I'm very happy with my boat and current wave and no payments. I'm not going to sell my boat and spend almost double of what my boat is worth for a new feature. In a few years, if side to side tricks are done at contests, and my kids show interest and talent to complete that might motivate me to get a newer boat, but right now I'm very content. My boat had a very good wave, relatively speaking, when it was new and I upgraded the ballast. It's still a very good wave and I'm enjoying watching all the new technology introduced to add convenience to surfing.

My biggest fear with all these easy ballast systems is that too many Wallys will get these boats, throw huge waves too close to shore and give us all a bad name and get us restricted or banned on some bodies of water.

[Booms]

Guys it is not about how fast we can make the legacy system go, it is all about the future of the sport. When tournaments start to allow transfers then what? (Not like I am going to be in a tourney any time soon, but just saying)
As technology advances there will be dematerialization, the need of ballasts and listing will be gone. If Tige does not think of or see the future then they will get left behind. A quote from a book I am reading, "if you don't do it, someone else will."

The AVX is cool. Is it the future of the sport? I hope so as I ordered one...I will be somewhat upset if the coin I spent on a new 2015 Z3 is gone next fall when the 2016s have a new and improved transferring AVX. But I also understand that Moore's Law is not just for circuits....

[seabass0118]

I'm at least 10+ minutes for our RZ2 with extra bags. It is mostly fine, but when there are lots of people/guests, it is a burden to monitor (damn old TT system). I wouldn't mind removing that from my day duties... Then I do not know what I would be sacrificing to get that. In terms of dollars, a 2015 ASR seems to be running very close to a G23; am I wrong here?

[whiteflash watersports]

We are about 10 minutes and it is usually done before we are done with the swim brake.

[sandm]

Dandy, I didn't mind driving your listed boat. you should have saved the money and flew us up every weekend to drive for ya

[dakota4ce]

I am planning on running extra pumps galore and my math tells me I will be 6-7 minutes to fill/empty/switch. I would likely rather have something quicker, but I think I am going to hold on to my $60K instead.

[Dandy]

the time to switch is about how long it takes her to get her wetsuit on, give the kids some Cheetos and red Gatorade and jump in the water.

^^^That is damn funny!

I defended the listing before and I think the reality about the situation is that the surf systems is somewhat the market is asking for...maybe its a trend, but it is a profitable trend for the manufacturers. It is their job to produce products that people will purchase and pay for. From my own experience, I will tell you that our family has enjoyed our time on the water much more with our G23 NSS than we did with our Z1 w/CVX. It really isn't about the time but the ease for us. Yes, it takes time to switch out riders and we don't mind the down time, but now the down time isn't messing with and watching/monitoring pumps, its just hanging out. Maybe it doesn't make a difference for guests, but it has changed things for my family as the hosts - we now seem to be more focused on the moment instead of preparing for what is to come. That aside, my wife if much more comfortable (as well as guests I trust) driving the non listed boat, which gives me more time on the water or allows me more time to help out new riders.

At the end of the day, it really is personal preference. Can we have a better wave listed...I am quite sure of it. Is the extra cost of the surf system and a level boat worth it...for our family I can defiantly say YES. Would we go back to owning a boat without a surf system...NO. You can always list a boat with a surf system, but you can't surf a level boat without...again, personal preference and options!

[SBM1234]

I had the big enzo sacs in the rear lockers on the 22Ve and the Wakemakers x-link. We could switch sides in 7 minutes. Sacrificing wake quality to be able to perform one trick (transfer) just doesn't seem like a good idea.

[Timmy!]

I think it's 12-15 minutes for us. Being able to switch sides quickly would be nice when we go out in the evening and don't have a lot of time or a lot of people and we just want to get in a quick session. I need to ride a few times behind the quick switch boats to form a real opinion on them, I've only ridden behind a 22 MXZ and it was windy and cold and I don't think the driver had the boat setup properly.

[boardman74]

With extra pumps and valves I was at about 10 minutes well above factory ballast. With a different configuration I could have cut it to about 7.

I know many of you say you don't care about time when you are on the boat. You are the exception I can assure you. People do care. If they had to wait they will, but if there is an option where they don't have to they will want that. Its instant gratification. Its the latest greatest. Its running to get an iPhone 6 when your 5 still works just fine. Thats how our society is. I love being on the water as much as anyone. I grew up on the water and have had a boat my entire life. We own a lake cabin and I couldn't imagine our lives without the place that the lake/ boating/ water sports has in our lives. With that said I can think of about 100 ways my time is better spent than watching ballast drain and fill 6 times on a Saturday afternoon. Again we do it because we have to!! With technology advances there is now a better way and most people are going to want it. Its just the progression of things. I'm waiting for the boat that truly doesn't require ballast and will do all this stuff without weight. Wouldn't that be awesome??

Its just the nature of the beast. Call it keeping up with the Jones' or what ever you like. When everyone else offers a system Tige is going to have to also to be competitive. Like I told another employee when I worked at the dealership, not because they really need it, but because everyone else has one. You just can't tell a customer that is on the fence, we don't have one because we don't need one. Because in their mind thats what people who don't have one say!!