97 outback setup for wakesurf/wakeboard

[resko1]

I recently bought a 97 outback from a friend for a good deal. We spent the day out with him before buying it. Just cruising and a little tubing with the kids. This weekend was my first time out on the river with it and some friends. I added 300# of sand bags into the rear seats and we had 8 people aboard, 2 of which were 250#. I had them in the rear port side for a better wake, and a few ladies up front. It just seemed we couldnt get much for a decent wake out of it. Running about 18-20mph. We slowed it down to about 12 mph and tried wake surfing and the wave was horrible. Lots of wash and if i tried to slow it down the riders complained it was too slow to stay up.
My question is where should i start at getting a better wave? Some have said more weight, some say trim tabs, some say prop. Is it a combination? Thanks for the advice in advance.

[BT_48170]

Is this a direct drive or v-drive? I have a dd mobius and while not probably desirable by advanced riders in either case it should still get you out there and provide for some fun. I have a couple friends that I would consider advanced wakeboarders, when they come out on my boat they are still able to clear the wake easily and do many of the tricks they do behind loaded down v-drives with minimal ballast in the boat. Are your friends advanced wakeboarders or beginners? If beginners it might be more about the mechanics of getting lift of the wake (mostly coming in on an edge and locking your knees before you hit the wake). Also for wakeboarding what rope length are you using? You might try shortening the rope if you feel you're too far out. For wakesurfing you might be able to get to the point where you can free surf but it will probably be like you find the pocket of the wave and stay there. For my boat we need about 5 people in the boat plus the rear and center ballast full, at 9-10 mph and a big left turn you can free surf if you find the sweet spot of the wave. Surfing with a small wave is also going to be pretty dependent on the board you have, if you have one of the skim style boards and a heavy rider it's probably not going to work. For my boat it is also very dependent on the driver, you have to be able to find the best wave possible and then keep it there, it takes a bit of practice. Good luck.

[kaneboats]

Have a look at this thread. It might help:

https://forum.moomba.com/showthread....t=surf+outback

[resko1]

Thanks guys. And yes it is DD. Im a beginner but a few of the guys and girls i ride with are more advanced. My buddy has an 01 supra launch and they usually ride behind that with full factory ballasts and 250# sack on the surf side. But he also has a factory trim tab and a deeper v haul design. We tried mine and it wasnt nearly as good. I know ill have to add weight but is there a benefit with adding on a trim tab? I dont get on plane till about 15mph now and im told a tab will help make the wave and pocket longer by keeping the bow down.
Mine buddy specifically said, " get the bennett tabs in the rear, add about 400-600# to the rear side your surfing on, and buy gps perfect pass and you'll be set." Is this a somewhat true statement?

[kaneboats]

Yes, yes, yes.

[resko1]

Awesome. Thanks. I just contacted Bennett trim tabs in finding the correct setup for my boat. Im also looking at a set of Fly High 400# sacks. I will have to wait till spring for the Perfect Pass since our season is almost over here. I appreciate the help!

[kaneboats]

May want to check out this thread and save some coin.

https://forum.moomba.com/showthread....fly-high-stuff

[resko1]

May want to check out this thread and save some coin.

https://forum.moomba.com/showthread....fly-high-stuff

Awesome find! I will definitely check this out since i will be ordering sacs this weekend.

[viking]

Im also looking at a set of Fly High 400# sacks.

I have one of these for sale. Damn near brand new!
https://forum.moomba.com/showthread....Items-for-Sale

[trayson]

direct drives need lots of weight in the rear corner and on the surfside. at a minimum I'd be putting a 750 on the surfside beside the engine. I found that on my Supra Sunsport DD, that my best setups were either slamming the rear corner (750 on floor beside engine, another 750 stacked on that but in the back seat as far as possible, and a 350 under the rear seat). Or you can do some kind of surf system (surf tabs, ghetto gate, etc) and take about the same amount of weight and have it a little more even (bag on either side of the engine).

I needed close to 2k in ballast to be satisfied with my DD surf wave.