Surf Setup For A 1998 22I?

[ryevolution]

Whats up guys! I just bought a 1998 Tige 22I and so far im loving it. Its a great ski boat and thats primarily what I bought it for, however Id like to get a setup to surf behind it as well. Just wanted to see what kind of ballast setup you guys are running to get the best surfable wave out of it. Appreciate any insight!

[Ruger761]

My set up is about 400# in the rear trunk (filled the bag until it pushes up on the lid) 250# plates under the rear seat. Then depending on how may people I have I put a 350 on the seat or on the surf side while running a suck gate. The hull will throw a nice wake listed over vs a suck gate just a little harder to drive. Last weekend I didn't use the 350 on the seat but had 7 people in the boat, it threw a very nice wave then. Had 1 in the bow, 2 observer seat, 1 driver then, 3 on the rear seat. It wont throw a wave like a 24ft V-Drive will but it throws a very nice wave.

[ryevolution]

Appreciate the input! Im going to take some measurements of the rear hatch this weekend to see how I can maximize that space and get some weight in there. Great idea with loading up on the surf side. Tons of room in the boat for bags on the floor, so I plan on throwing a big bag there. How do you like the suck gate? What i've been reading has been hit and miss.

[Ruger761]

I like the suck gate. It makes switching side to side very fast and it makes driving the boat a lot easier. Driving a heavy listed boat can be challenging for some. Both create great wakes listed or gated. It comes down to your preference once you start weighting the boat up. My suck gate is a DIY version, but others have used commercial versions and like those as well.

[NICKYPOO]

The most important thing is to get the surfside rubrail in the water while underway. My setup is really light compared to TA’s. My setup is totally unique to any other that I know of though. I’ve basically given up on the suck gate.

[Ruger761]

How many people do tend to have with you TA? Bet you get a nice wave with that kinda weight!

[ryevolution]

Would love to see some pics as well! Thats a good amount of weight TA - i'm sure it pumps. The u-shaped bag is a great idea. I'm thinking of running one of those as well as another 4-500lbs surfside. Still one the fence with the suck gate...

[cltTige]

So how far back from the swim platform would you say you are? Wife looks like she gets closed based on her face. lol.

got the chance to surf behind a 08 or 09 SAN this past weekend, factory ballast only, no wake shaper, the pocket was almost nonexistent, I was on top of the swim platform to stay ropeless. I should say it was only my 3rd or 4th time ever wakesurfing, but the more experienced ones had to stay close too. Another guy ran into a time or two. That wake looks loads better and its a DD! I'm super excited to get mine dialed in. Now if only I was in town and could actually go out on the water.

Not to thread hijack but do you have any experience with the 525 prop? its what I got on now.
Also, I thought DD didn't like any weight in front of the engine for surfing?

Any thoughts on adding lead? Specifically to the rear compartment to fill any air?

[NICKYPOO]

^^^When was the last time you ran without a sucgate?

Here’s a pic of mine. 450surfside, probably 200offside, 10.3, taps 8, 2 girls, one guy, 4 small kids, 1/4 tank of fuel, no sucgate. Rider is 6’.

[NICKYPOO]

I run the 911 as well. 653 before that. The original was a 4 blade OJ. No idea what the specs were but, it was terrible.

[NICKYPOO]

I like it. It sure looks clean. I would have said it looks like you are running a suck gate because of how theres no white mush folding over on the surf side.
I will try it again without the suck gate. I'm not set on any configuration. Since we are running it now it must have made a difference somewhere in the testing.
You have a very unique position because of the mods you made. Maybe thats what I need to do, because that looks great!

That’s what I’m saying, just what am I trying to fix? That was about as light as I’ve run in a long time. That was the last session of a 3 day trip. One tank of fuel. There couldn’t have been but 10gal in it. Cooler was basically empty. Usually everything is topped off in the morning. It can be a little finicky but I’ve been running it for a long time. I can always get a surfable wave out of it. With everything filled and couple more humans, it’s even pretty decent.

You’re right though, the ballast setup is key. All of my ballast is directly against the hull on three sides. The stern, the side, and floor are all in contact with the sacs, all the way to the hatch. I have zero weight being transferred to the stringers. The stringers are actually in contact with the inboard edge of the sacs. Overall, it’s not that much weight but, it is very effective weight.

I hear ya on the sucgate. It’s strange. At one point, I loved it. Always ran with it. I tried that different one. Hated it. Took it off mid ride and couldn’t believe how much better the wake was. It turned into everything I was trying to get of out it in the first place. Somehow I forgot that my boat has always surfed good. I’ve made it better but, it was always good. We started surfing it before we had any ballast at all. 10 people, a surfboard, and NICKYPOO’s new Tige = session. We got some sacs the next year though. And a Landlock! The original green one. Still got it.

[NICKYPOO]

Yeah the 653 was a big step up from the original. I remember it feeling like a new boat when I made the change. Really woke the boat up.
Just wasn't enough when we added more weight.

x2. We took the same exact path on props. The 653 was a massive improvement. It still cavitated while surfing though. The 911 was a built as replacement for it. It’s been very good. It’s a little low in pitch down at 1000’. It hits the rev limiter at 41.5mph in a hurry. It’s great at 4000-6000. I’ll have to check my surf rpms next time out but, I think they’re pretty low. It doesn’t run very hard at all. I wanna say somewhere around 2500? 2700? I never look anymore. Man, my tach used to be my PP. We’d rig for surf, get a tach setting and run off of that. Now I run on gps like a little bitch.

[ryevolution]

All great info here guys! Both setup look excellent - and far superior than my stock setup. Going to slap some weight in mine and see what that does for me. If it still isn't enough ill give the suck gate a go. Interesting to hear about the props. My boat came with two... the one thats currently on (not sure the pitch) it seems to be more of a high end prop. I'll have to look at the other one, but i'm guessing it'll be more or a holeshot prop. Ill keep ya'll updated!

[NICKYPOO]

The 911 is perfect for skiing for me. I yanks my fat *** right out of the hole and runs 34mph with me back there. It runs 37mph at wot at 4000ft. with 4 adults and 4 kids and is about 300rpm off the limiter.

[Ruger761]

Some nice looking waves on both of your boats! Yep prop is on my list of get it coming soon. I’m thinking the 525 should be pretty good at 500ft. The 911 might be a bit too aggressive for my location.