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  • Teak Surf Deck

    Rugger

    By Rugger

      • Year: 2003 Brand: Malibu Model / Trim: LSV Cost: $0-$249 Platform Type: Teak
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    After starting my homemade surf gate project, I realized quickly that the swim platform would need to be modified for a few reasons.  The beauty of a teak platform is that it is more easily modified for surfing!!  Plus it always looks great refinished.

    1) The gates need to retract/close all the way in at an angle, or they "drag" in the water and tarnish the wake.   I watched this occur many time while surfing with our test gates.   

    2) The wave itself runs right through the platform, I think is why many manufacturers, even without gates, have cut the corners on the platform to follow a better low speed, surf wake line.

    But because I needed to fit the gates, it was a no brainer.

    On this particular project I actually added length to the original swim platform.  So it is one board length longer.  Teak is actually very easy to work with, as long as you have a good skill saw blade and cut slowly.

    The angles were determined by watching the wake, and honestly just by how far the gates needed to retract into the platform.  I will come back and add to this project with the steps involved.  

     

    File_005 (1).jpeg

     

    It's also important to look at the bottom corners of the gates to ensure they don't run through the wake when stowed/closed.   Some with SG have had success without modifying the platform, while others have had issues (like me).

     

    File_001 (2).jpeg

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    Jhartt3

    Jhartt3 56

    Posted

    i've got a 1999 Sunsetter VLX.  I assume my angles would be similar to yours do you remember what they were?

    Rugger

    Rugger 709

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Jhartt3 said:

    i've got a 1999 Sunsetter VLX.  I assume my angles would be similar to yours do you remember what they were?

    I don't remember exactly... most gates seem to be in the 20-25 degree range.    If I had to do this platform over again, I probably would not have cut it down all the way from the back of the platform, but starting 6" from the back if that makes sense.    Make your gates first, get them to the outside edge of the transom as far as possible, and then determine how to cut down your platform would be my advice.   Oh, and post your project (in progress and then completed) for others to learn from please!

    Jhartt3

    Jhartt3 56

    Posted

    I will post my project as i plan to use an arduino for control - still trying to figure out how to get GPS data into the arduino currently - but i'll post step by step on that.  My larger concern is the physical stuff since i'm a EE the electronics is no problem.  But how to mount the gate how large to make it etc. is where i'm currently struggling

    Rugger

    Rugger 709

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Jhartt3 said:

    I will post my project as i plan to use an arduino for control - still trying to figure out how to get GPS data into the arduino currently - but i'll post step by step on that.  My larger concern is the physical stuff since i'm a EE the electronics is no problem.  But how to mount the gate how large to make it etc. is where i'm currently struggling

    Start a topic in shop talk under surf devices and ask your questions there.   That's what this site is all about... throwing in other people's experiences to work together on projects.   I'm sure all of us could learn more about the arduino system as well in this capacity.   There are also a few good threads in Shop Talk to check out and get started with in terms of sizes and angles.   Although unlike EE stuff, the mechanical side is not an exact science believe me.   Welcome to Wake Garage!



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