Originally Posted by
haknslash
Have you added addition bags over stock? The reason I ask is the “front” ballast bag on a Max is really more like a center bag with some front bias. The Max wave starts to come to life when you get around 5,000 lbs of ballast no matter how you slice it. It can be people, upgraded bags, lead whatever so long as you get to 5,000 lbs. You’ll want at least a minimum of 300 lbs in the bow. I use lead bags for that since we use the front storage for gear and stuff. I usually have anywhere from 5,300 to 5,600 lbs of ballast when surfing and the wave is legit for my 240 lb butt.
Keep in mind that if this is your first time learning to surf a lot of feeling the push has to do with body position and how you’re weighting your feet on the board. You want to be light on the toes and closer to the wave side edge as you learn. Square your shoulders to the boat back corner and not the wave and you will start to feel the waves push. It took me so long to understand this and several boards. It takes patience and no need in rushing into it getting frustrated. I know it can be at times but you will get it and understand the boat more. It will save your marriage having a good wife to help trust me so try and stay cool as y’all learn the boat lol.
As for the plate settings, I’ve tried a lot of different settings and I feel the stock surf plate settings give the most consistent results. You may dial in one 5% increment here or there for surf plates but you’ll find adjusting the lead or ballast weight to get desired roll and pitch will be better than cranking up or down the surf plates. The center plate is fine to play around with. It will make the wave steep and short or a long mellow mound with co curl. I usually don’t go beyond 15 on center plate but it all depends on what pitch and roll or surf wave you like. Just remember to have fun playing around and you’ll see what the boat likes once you’re back there.