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View Full Version : Can you surf behind an Outback (ski hull)?



viking
09-10-2009, 12:43 PM
I have an 07 Ouback DD (engine centrally located). Awesome for skiing. Has the factory Stage I ballast (300lb) sack in the back. It's OK for wakeboarding but great for skiing. Thinking about upgrading to a bigger sack in the back as my wakeboarding skills improve. Does anyone know if you can surf behind it? Or has anyone done it? I know that for hardcore wakeboarders and surfers a guy should buy a V drive. Didn't know if you could get it to put out a big enough wake to surf?
thanks

kaneboats
09-10-2009, 04:22 PM
Ha Ha Ha. :D Every weekend!

See this thread (second post has a pic of my 6'2" 240 little bro surfing):

https://forum.moomba.com/showthread.php?t=9008&highlight=outback+surf

viking
09-10-2009, 06:41 PM
SAWEET! Thanks Kane. Appreciate the Link......Made my day! That wake looks awesome for learning how to surf. I think I'll need to invite some additional friends tag along to weight down my boat and try it out before the snow flies. How'd u do it for 1200lbs? (mostly with people or water bags)?

Mikey
09-10-2009, 09:27 PM
I have an 07 Outback DD with no ballast but a wakeplate. Using 3 very large tupperware containers 3 of us managed to surf my boat. Aprox 600lbs weight total. Next yr a sac or 2 for ease of use and away we go. So to answer your question Yes it is doable.

kaneboats
09-11-2009, 11:24 AM
I have a big storage locker on mine behind the back seat (the gas tank is under the seat). So, I put a 400 in there then one on the floor in front of the seat -- both pulled to the surf side. Then one lenghtwise next to the engine on the surf side. So I run about 1200 plus the biggest adult sitting in the corner and the kids spread around everywhere else.

Here's a couple more pics:

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/kaneboats/IMG_0447.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/kaneboats/IMG_0449.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/kaneboats/IMG_0450.jpg

http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee356/kaneboats/IMG_0457.jpg

kaneboats
09-11-2009, 11:27 AM
You can see the wake is actually better when I'm in the boat. It's not just the weight but I will park myself exactly where it works best. If you can get cooperation from your guests it makes a huge difference (my wife will not be told where to sit).

Sled491
09-12-2009, 09:27 PM
Dude, was surfing behind my 07 Outback today. 800 across the back (seat in sun deck position), 600 down the surf side. Sitting on top of that it looks like a 3 ft drop in, no props. 10MPH, I surf a Walkers Project, weigh 185. My 9 yr old can go all day on my board with 800lb balast. Oh yeah, we have no tower!

viking
09-13-2009, 12:56 AM
Sled491 -
That's cool. Any pics of your setup would be helpful. I might just have to get a couple extra fat sacs to get set up right. Or bribe some heavy friends with a late afternoon of "beer on the water" :)

viking
10-27-2009, 06:18 PM
OK - got my bags coming for surf setup.
Anybody running a different prop? I have the stock setup (i think it's an 11X13)? I have it sent off for tuning right now so can't be certain on size.

Waynes345
10-27-2009, 07:38 PM
OK - got my bags coming for surf setup.
Anybody running a different prop? I have the stock setup (i think it's an 11X13)? I have it sent off for tuning right now so can't be certain on size.

Not to hijack the thread, but where did you send your prop for tuning? I wrapped a rope around mine this summer and, while it was only loosely wrapped, think I may have knocked it out of true. Thanks.

Sled491
10-27-2009, 07:48 PM
I run the 13 x 13 4 blade. You need some serious prop when your running 1400lbs ballast!

Wayne there is a place called the Prop shop in Ocauchee WI that fixes DD Props. That's who my dealer uses

viking
10-28-2009, 12:41 AM
Sled,
do you run that prop all the time. Skiing and wakeboarding too? I'm happy with the stock prop (it's an OJ) and good hole shot with top end around 40. I ski (60) and wakeboard (40). Just getting into surfing and will try it out next season. I'm going to get a spare anyway so figured I'd set that up for surfing?


I run the 13 x 13 4 blade. You need some serious prop when your running 1400lbs ballast!

Wayne there is a place called the Prop shop in Ocauchee WI that fixes DD Props. That's who my dealer uses

Sled491
10-28-2009, 07:38 AM
Yep I run that prop all the time. I ski every morning 5 days a week then some afternoons and weekends are for surfing and wakeboarding.

kaneboats
10-29-2009, 01:51 PM
I run the stock 13 x 13. I can top out around 46 and it still has good holeshot and works good for surfing too. My hull is a little older so that might make a difference. It's just the right one for me. I'm 20 surf 40 wb 20 ski and 20 kneeboard and tubing.

viking
10-29-2009, 07:21 PM
Sled and Kane,
what brand prop? ACME, OJ, ect.... Did u notice alot of difference with the 4 blade over 3?
Thanks

Sled491
10-29-2009, 07:44 PM
Mine is a stainless I bought off some guy here on the boards. It's a lesser known name which escapes me right now. I'd say they hole shot is a bit better, but I think some of the stuff OJ and Acme are doing now with a 3 blade is just as good if not better.

To be honest I'm thinking of going back to the 3 blade and trying one like Z got for his LS as I ski every morning usually and my boat is one of 3 in the rotation, while my kids are still pretty young and don't require anything special to have fun.

Jeff W
10-30-2009, 09:41 AM
We can surf my 02' DD Outback with ZERO ballast - simply some good people weight spread throughout the boat. The wave isn't awesome like that - but it's definitely surfable.

With some ballast in the rear corner and some weight up front - it surfs real nice.

Sled491
10-30-2009, 12:11 PM
My kids can but not me, but we never have that many people in our boat.

DOCDRS
11-05-2009, 01:01 PM
With out the rope I could , and so could my daughter but we couldn't do a lot of mooves unless we had the tanks full and some peeps in the boat.

DOCDRS
11-12-2009, 06:42 PM
heres my daughter behind a 99 outback ls
https://forum.moomba.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3880&stc=1&d=1258065513

https://forum.moomba.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3881&stc=1&d=1258065679

Sled491
11-12-2009, 08:04 PM
What the heck, her hair isn't even wet!!

DOCDRS
11-13-2009, 02:09 PM
What the heck, her hair isn't even wet!!

ya i know, and that was about her third time trying, she was hangin on to the rope and said "what if i throw you the rope?" i said go ahead, she tossed it and only went about 15 feet, we came around put her up again she tossed the rope and the proceeded to go about 1000 m before she fell behind, She gets in the boat and asks me "and how many times did you try before you could do that? ... I smiled.... and that was behind the outback, now we have the launch that i'll be able to load up with 2000 lbs of water...yay

viking
11-13-2009, 05:05 PM
docdrs - that's pretty neat. Bet your proud to have such a natural!
Any extra ballast? The LS is about 1ft. longer than my DD if I remember right and maybe a little heavier but not by much.

psycho-heico
11-13-2009, 05:26 PM
she looks to be on the gas fill side...Any weight on that side...If so how close is the water to the fill cap?? what kind of board is she on....

DOCDRS
11-13-2009, 05:49 PM
prob had my rear ballast full , i was in the back corner 170lbs and maybe 2 or 3 others in the boat, the right side def give a better wave than left i think due to prop rotation, but gas fill side makes no diff, although a full gas tank will give you more ballast in the rear

Sled491
11-13-2009, 08:20 PM
Kids make it look so easy. My 9 yr old son can surf both sides with just a single bag in the middle of my outback. Heck, my 8yr old and 6 yr old don't even need balast. Although my 8 yr old like about 400lbs just to make it interesting!

kaneboats
11-18-2009, 12:38 PM
You think you want some of me, eh? Ha ha ha ha.

Sled491
11-18-2009, 11:24 PM
Ready

Set

GO!!!!!!

viking
11-19-2009, 02:53 PM
surf pics - surf pics :)

psycho-heico
11-19-2009, 10:33 PM
Hey Sled,
Any ballast being used wtih you in the pic, looks like a decent wave.

Sled491
11-19-2009, 10:40 PM
If I remeber correct, was like 450 across the back.

This summer we tried 800 across the back, 540 down the surf side and another 400 placed on the floor. It was almost scary getting on top and shooting down the wall.

psycho-heico
11-20-2009, 11:44 AM
Thanks Sled,
I just bought an '07 Outback and looking to add some weight, just bought a used CWB ride, to which will be our Learning/teaching board...What type of rope and where did you find it....Having problems getting a used or sale priced surf rope....

viking
11-20-2009, 06:49 PM
where'd u get your CWB Ride. Been looking for one either used or New closeout price. They are hard to find!

either that or a Hyperlite Broadcast?

Sled491
11-20-2009, 09:20 PM
I use a straightline T handle surf rope. Think I paid about 40 bucks. You have to be pretty diligent to find surf ropes on sale, but I'm sure a sale or two will pop up between now and spring.

On the board, despite popular opinion I wouldn't waste money on the ride. You will advance past it too fast. I got a Walkers Project first board and loved it from day one. I like that new Squirt from Inland Surfer for value also and is designed for advancement with the ability to take 3 fins.

I see Phase 3 boards really cheap on Ebay all the time also.

psycho-heico
11-21-2009, 12:00 AM
Hey Viking,
If you go to craiglook.com and it will search all the listings across the USA.Just imput the item or boat you are looking for and it spits out all findings...I found mine in Florida had it shipped to Canada and still saved a shit load of money compared to what new boards in the shops cost up here...

viking
11-21-2009, 01:35 AM
thanks Sled and Psycho! Appreciate the pointers. I need a good first board and really not sure what to get! I know that there are deals if you look around though!

DOCDRS
11-27-2009, 05:32 PM
shes on a CWB tsunami 57 "

viking
05-18-2010, 12:49 PM
Sled,
Since we have the same boat - what is your weight setup for surfing?
I purchased a 750lb rear seat sac and 400lb V-drive sa. Plan on using these as well as the stock sac (about 350bls) to throw up in the walkway. Figure sacking her out should do the trick after all my reading but wondering what you do!

Thanks,
Brian

Sled491
05-18-2010, 08:51 PM
As we run with a light weight crowd, 3 kids and wife all small, I have to depend on the bags 100%.

I run a 800 across the back, and a 600 down the side. I have a few times run a 600 on both sides and get a good wake but need to get the boat tilted more. I think we need some weight up front but our boats sit so low already that any more weight up front is just asking the lake to come in :)

I'm thinking of running the 800 down the side from tight to the back under the seat then tucking a 600 beside it across the back to see if I can get a better wall and curl.

Waynes345
05-19-2010, 10:58 PM
As we run with a light weight crowd, 3 kids and wife all small, I have to depend on the bags 100%.

I run a 800 across the back, and a 600 down the side. I have a few times run a 600 on both sides and get a good wake but need to get the boat tilted more. I think we need some weight up front but our boats sit so low already that any more weight up front is just asking the lake to come in :)

I'm thinking of running the 800 down the side from tight to the back under the seat then tucking a 600 beside it across the back to see if I can get a better wall and curl.

So Sled - After I tire of moving the big guys around in my Outback and filling them with beverages, what is the basic setup I should look for? A couple bags, fittings, pumps, etc.

Sled491
05-19-2010, 11:16 PM
Well I'm right in the middle of figuring out how to plumb my boat, but for now I use portable pumbs and loose bags, although we will always have to have loose bags. I would start with a couple 500 hundreds and a couple of pumps.

viking
05-20-2010, 12:13 AM
Thanks Sled!
Basically what I have coming then (approx 1500lbs) and then whomever is in the boat. I'll post pics of the wake when I get everything working. I've got the rear sack plumbed in already and swapping out the 400lb'er with the 750lb
Should help out with the wakeboard wake and then of course nothing for skiing. Then I'll throw bags on the floor and fill with the Tsunami for now (Thanks Cab 'Al") for surfing and see how she works. Can't really get around throwing bags on the floor with the outback.

Sled491
05-20-2010, 09:54 AM
It's gonna be tight in an outback for surfing, basically no floor left anywhere from the driver back.

Waynes345
06-01-2010, 04:49 PM
We had our first surfing experience over the MD weekend. I was in the lakes area of Indiana and went over to Bart's and picked up a sale board. Our ballast was my Dad, sister, niece and nephew (probably 600-700 lbs). Not having any clue what we were doing, we burned a lot of gas, but had a riot. My son got close to going ropeless, but couldn't quite get all slack. I never really got a good try since driving under those circumstances is tough. Neither my wife or son could get the hang of it. On Sunday, I rooted around in my Dad's shed and found an old rocket tube. Pulled the back seat out and tossed the rocket in and filled it with a garden hose. I'm guessing it was around 500-600 lbs. The kids got better and when I can figure out how to get it weighted out right and hold the speed, I think my son will get it. I need to train a driver before I can ride though. He said it was more fun than skiing.

Sled491
06-01-2010, 04:52 PM
Dude, way to go!!! In our boats we need quite a bit of ballast. We were running 800+ peeps on sat, but closer to 1400 + peeps on sunday. PP is the only way to go! We never stray much from 10mph.

Waynes345
06-01-2010, 09:37 PM
Dude, way to go!!! In our boats we need quite a bit of ballast. We were running 800+ peeps on sat, but closer to 1400 + peeps on sunday. PP is the only way to go! We never stray much from 10mph.

Yeah, I don't have Perfect Pass and holding 10 (or even knowing if I was close) was nearly impossible. The more I did it the better I got, but it was real seat of the pants. I feel myself getting sucked in. Bags, pumps, etc. Skiing was soooo much easier...

Sled491
06-02-2010, 12:15 AM
Hey skiing is still our number 1 activity at our end as well, but man surfing is a lot of fun. I bought 3 bags used for about 250.00 with shipping. they came with one small pump which is ready to call it a life, so this week I'm going to buy 2 new ones, but bottom line is you don't need to spend a fortune. Plenty O used bags for sale and pumps can be bought anywhere for under 100.00. As for the speed thing try a hand held GPS for now.

kaneboats
06-02-2010, 08:41 AM
You can actually use the GPS out of the car to calibrate the speedo.

Sled491
06-02-2010, 08:43 AM
You can actually use the GPS out of the car to calibrate the speedo.

I meant the hand held as his speedos will be the old type with tubes and transom PU's which traditionally are not accurate at lower speeds if the read at all.

kaneboats
06-02-2010, 08:53 AM
OK, that makes sense. We should remind him that when they figure out the speed at the "normally" loaded weight for surfing to check the RPM and use that for future reference.

Waynes345
06-02-2010, 09:23 AM
I appreciate that input. It's obvious that the old speedos are almost useless at that speed. I was primarily trying to figure it out by feel, sound and watching the wake. The next time we try, I'll have the GPS in the boat and maybe even some real bags to get some consistent weight and configuration. It gives me something to do when ski conditions are less than stellar, though the gas really gets sucked through dragging around all that weight.

kaneboats
06-02-2010, 09:24 AM
At least you're only dragging it at 10 MPH. Then again, the boat's a lot more efficient when it's planed off.

Sled491
06-02-2010, 09:26 AM
You to be honest I'm not sure just how much more fuel I use surfing. Skiing, full throttle for outs for full grown men, 34 - 36 mph runs. Surf, light touch on the throttle for the up even with me, slow easy runs. I'm not positive but I think I use about the same.

viking
06-02-2010, 12:43 PM
Let's face it - we're not in it for the gas mileage or we'd be doing neither :)
Who cares.............have fun either way !!

Tripled
08-22-2017, 11:33 AM
I have an 07 Ouback DD (engine centrally located). Awesome for skiing. Has the factory Stage I ballast (300lb) sack in the back. It's OK for wakeboarding but great for skiing. Thinking about upgrading to a bigger sack in the back as my wakeboarding skills improve. Does anyone know if you can surf behind it? Or has anyone done it? I know that for hardcore wakeboarders and surfers a guy should buy a V drive. Didn't know if you could get it to put out a big enough wake to surf?
thanksI thought it was more about total weight potential than v drive. But, certainly surfable!

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

jcb512
07-11-2020, 12:26 AM
Hello all,
Sorry if I am asking a repeated question. My boys have been hot on surfing and I am not in the market for a new boat right now so I got some ballasts for my 2006 Direct Drive Outback (310 Carb Indmar). My bags take us to the weight limit and I am very careful to stay below it, but wondering if there is any concern about the engine or anything I need to be cautious of for it? We are loading the surf side with a 500 and the back under the seat with another 500 will the listing cause a problem with enough oil in the pan to protect the engine correctly?

Thanks so much for any advice and stay safe all.