Rugger

Nicely done Shadetreefab.   I'm glad I waited to do mine... you've got some great ideas in there.  

I was going to fiberglass in a place to screw the bracket to... but the rear grab handle bolts is an even better idea.  

I know I'm gonna have some questions when I finally get to mine.  Thanks for posting.

@Jeffo, I know you didn't build this specifically for Wake Garage, but I promise you Wake Garage was made to showcase projects like this!   Love the out of box thinking.  I'm a big believer in Fresh Air Exhaust (good company and product) and you now have benefits of a few functions in one.   

1 hour ago, Jeffo said:

Just read this. That is great work!!! 

Cant believe the polish job on the stainless!!! I need some lessons from you!

@Jeffo --  Thanks for the comments!   I posted a polishing link in Shop Talk forum (below).  Lots of techniques out there but I swear the zephyr system is great.   I learned a lot from that wedge project, but I think I could have started with a better metal finish.  Or at least got the flat pieces to a better point before welding.... would have been easier. You get what you pay for in terms of finish but you probably know a lot more about metal than me.  That wedge took a lot of sanding until the actual polishing began.   It did come out great though.  One of my favorite projects for sure, especially because everyone said you can't put a wedge on an '87.

That is awesome Jeffo! Great work.  It's actually simpler than your other one which makes it an even better design in my book.   Who needs a brake, that looks great.

That might be difficult to make for my power wedge though.   Why do you think your regular changed?  Did you have the same wing plate shape before?

Thanks for posting, Chris.  That's a sweet boat.  The attention to detail is second to none with sub box etching, button, bezel etc.   It's really multiple good projects within one large install that myself and others can use as a great example.  It's got me spinning with ideas!   Thanks again.

Any changes you'd make if you did it again? My 8.1 needs an FAE this summer.  I miss having it from last boat.  I'm gonna modify my swim deck first though. 

I just broke this project up into multiple parts.  I remember how hard it was to find examples of specific parts of the project so hopefully Wake Garage's database with sections will be more helpful to those just looking at specific areas of restoration.

That is sweet!  I loved the concept when I saw Centurion's announcement.   Unfortunately for me I have Malibu's power wedge to deal with...   I do like using the wedge and it's adjustments, but it'd be awful hard to create exhaust like this with the wedge.   Nice job on both projects, Jeffo!  

Was the rooster tail the only disadvantage to the FAE style pipe?  The plate is cooler for sure, but just curious.

But wait.... I thought we couldn't get a wave like that without a $150k boat?  Haha. That's a monster wave.  Love it

The cool thing is the old Illusion is getting retrofitted (narrowed) for an older Malibu.  So it's getting new life and will make the next boat look great too.  Hoping he will post that project here too.  

Looks like you had a manual ghetto gate, err, "slapper" at one time (sitting on platform in picture).  Post some wake pics when you can!  Awesome project.  You could probably charge some of us for your relay/timer recipe... its very clean and looks like it works well.   I'm a huge fan of Wake Logic but you came up with a very effective alternative.   Impressive.  You'll probably get hit with more questions about it come summer.  Nice project and thanks for sharing it! 

Thanks.  Got a few mods in the works... But the manual SG mod definitely was worth a few hours of time.  Saved me from having to throw down so much weight right out of the gate for sure.   I have the materials for powered gates, just need the time.  Been really happy with a basic setup but I still hate trying to fight the steering with a manual gate, especially to pull around and pick up goofy riders.

Make sure to edit in any updates to your SG project, and let me know if I can help! 

Spending over 80 hrs on prepping the hull and tiny details like adding motor decals... wow.  Nice work.    That's impressive.   Love the silver metallic tower matching the new decals too.   That's a sweet looking boat.  

If you have any more pictures of rebuilding the ballast pumps, please post them in the ballast projects!  Haven't seen that done too often but I'll bet you'd save others money.

Thanks for sharing!   That's about as detail oriented and impressive as I've seen.  Congrats.

Awesome project, Max 1.6.  Thanks for sharing.  That's some solid info on the psi force the system generates.   I'm thinking about trying this on my Malibu.  No doubt to me Nautique's NSS design is clean.   Nicely done!

Love that boat.  The fly by video made it all worth while.   Besides the sound, did you notice a big performance increase with the increased flow?

One of the original and best implementations of DIY gates to date.  Shows you what old school boats are capable of and shows off some pretty frickin' slick engineering on your part.   I remember when you were going through the process.   Thanks for sharing the results.   

Nice job.   That stepped transom is a pain but glad the bracket solved the problem.   There are quite a few similar shaped transoms out there where that bracket would work, including Centurions, Malibu LXis and some Nautiques.   You'll be stoked when you get those actuators on there.

That's a lot of insight. We don't see enough engine mods, yet we spend thousands on tower speakers without even blinking   I can't wait to see that Skier on the water.  It's gonna scream!