JUST PRESS SURF: A New Era in Towboat Technology by Tyler Marshall
www.boardersmag.com | Sep 2015
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SURF BOAT TECHNOLOGY TIMELINE:
1966
Wake surfing on the big screen in the 1966 classic “The Endless Summer.” VCR tape technology: Just Press Play 52
1995
First Surf specific boat introduced by Centurion called “The Wave” with built in ballast
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2004
Fresh Air Exhaust makes it safe to surf behind boats without a catalytic converter
2007
2013
Sanger Boats Centurion Boat’s introduces dual Bennett introduces RamFill surf plates ballast system that fills up thousands of lbs. of ballast in less than a minute
JUST PRESS SURF: A New Era in Towboat Technology
From slalom and waterski to kneeboarding and wake boarding we now live in a watersports world that has slowed down its speedometer and put surfboards in the hands of middle America. The lakes and rivers have always been a nostalgic surf-like playground and almost the best of both worlds- ocean and mountain and now we experience it all behind a new boat. We can enjoy the feeling of gliding across the water like downhill skiing in our boardshorts and bikinis and now we can embrace an ocean vibe on a shortboard, longboard and standup paddle board. Thanks to new and improved boat technologies that continue to push the progression of wake surfing we can live the salt life. After about five years of re-construction, surf-focused designs, more ballast and progressive wake surfing features, the new lineup for 2016 says it all—the watersports industry loves to surf! So what has this meant for boat manufacturers like Centurion, Nautique, Mastercraft, Supra, Supreme and more? More ballast, faster loading times, wake-to-wake transfers and best of all- bigger and longer waves.
by Tyler Marshall
2013
Malibu Boats introduces first waketo-wake transfer system via Surf Gate
2013
Supra Swell Surf System introduced in November 2013
2014
Mastercraft Generation 2 surf system Introduced in January
2015
Tige Boats introduces Surf Link remote allowing one to shape the wave while wakesurfing
2015
SUP ATX and Boarders Mag release the most viral wake surfing video featuring double SUP Wake Surfing
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“This is definitely the wave of the future and in my twelve long years of competitive wake surfing I can say that 2016 might be the culminating year for surf boat technology with the introduction of the Ri237� Sean Cummings
CENTURION Ri237 The all new Centurion 2016 Ri237 is the next step in wake surfing progression, style, design and craftsmanship. The Ri237 marks a new standard for World Championship Towboats and a brand new deep V-hull design powered by the PCM GM direct injection motor. Centurion continues its wake enhancement with RAMFILL, CATS and QuickSurf technologies, but now with uniquely shaped body lines, a modified V bow, interior dual touch screen controls and slide seats. Performance, design and craftsmanship is king, now even more, from the inside out. www.boardersmag.com | Sep 2015
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Nautique Surf System So it all started by taking a wakeboard boat and loading a bunch of weight on to one side of it, some in the bow, but most in the rear of the boat. Once the boat was listed over, you would run around 10.6-11 mph to create a wave that was surfable with no rope. We all thought it was the best thing ever up until a goofy footed rider was up and you had to spend twenty minutes switching all the weight over. Other boaters stopping you to ask if you are sinking and then looking at you like you are crazy when you explain to them that you are surfing. Now fast forward twelve years and boy are things different. Boat companies are now focusing in on what makes the “Surf� wave with new surf systems and hull designs that will create longer and bigger waves. Surf systems can now do all this without the hassle of extra fat sacks. With all the technology boats are now sitting level in the water, the waves are bigger and we can switch from goofy to regular with the touch of a button. Wake surfing has absolutely exploded over the past ten years-from a few companies pushing it, to every boat and board manufacturer making it their main focus. The future is so bright. The young kids are getting so good at such a young age and companies like Nautique on the boat side and Phase 5 on the board side the possibilities are endless. I am so stoked to be along for the ride and see how this sport progresses over the next decade. Beyond the contest scene every lake out there has people on their boat making big waves and having the time of their lives. Like it or not wake surfing is here to stay and it will only be growing as time goes on. You can sit on the shore and gripe
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about the waves or you can jump in the boat and enjoy it. My close friend Danny B said it best: “ Life is Short, Let’s Surf!” Nautique is fully in on wake surfing. They have just introduced the 2016 G23 and G25 with brand new hulls designed to make the biggest, cleanest wake out there. Nautique took their award-winning wakeboard boat, the G23, and started making adjustments for a better wave. It started with a brand new redesigned hull with major changes in the back corners. The new angled corner now allows the water to release off the back of the boat with more of an upward motion. This results in a wave that stands upright after the platform creating a longer wave with a much more pronounced lip. The new hull has integrated and optimized the Nautique Surf System (NSS). The NSS system helps shape the wave and gives it a nice long clean face. It also allows someone to switch from goofy to regular in a matter of seconds. With the new hull design, NSS, NCRS and factory ballast you have an instant worldclass wave.
Nautique was the towboat of choice for over 15 World Qualifying events in 2015 including two of my personal favorites—the Canadian Nationals and the USA Nationals. As a rider it is so nice to be part of a company that is not only backing the sport I love, but constantly working and testing new things to keep making improvements. With the changes made for 2016 there has opened up a whole new aspect of wake surfing by giving the rider total control of the wave transfer with the Nautique remote transfer control switch. They also went a step further with the Nautique Surf Select App for Pebble Watch. When paired with a Pebble smart watch the rider now has full control of his settings. Speed adjustment, full wave tuning, stereo and transfer all from the rider’s wrist.
by Drew Danielo- 7X World Champ
www.boardersmag.com | Sep 2015
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SWELL SURF 2.0 For 2016 Supra Boats has fine tuned its already head turning surf system. Swell Surf 2.0 features contoured plates to calm water turbulence and route it to the sweet spot at the end of the plate, directing flow more efficiently to give you an even cleaner wave with more height and push. But another great feature of the 2016 Swell Surf 2.0 is that it enables us to have the Supra Launch System. This System combines the power of the Supra Smart Plate and revised Swell Surf System to make planing under load even easier than ever. As engine RPMs increase both systems deploy in tandem, reducing drag in the water and increasing acceleration to get the boat quickly and smoothly on plane. Which is great for wakeboarding or just getting the boat on plane faster and more efficient.
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“Perfectly shaped, massive push and instant transfers make the Swell Surf System wave my favorite to shred. I’ve spent hours on all the boats and find Supra’s wave gives me what I need to progress my wake surfing and compete with the best in the world.”
- PARKER PAYNE
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MASTERCRAFT GEN 2 The Gen 2 Surf System consists of 4 Pillars: • • • •
The individual boat hull The ballast system (including tanks, plumbing and placement) Software to control it all A wake shaping device beneath the transom that sculpts the wave
Each Gen 2 Surf System is designed from the individual boat model it’s paired to, so it works far better and creates waves that are cleaner, longer, and have more push at all lengths. 60
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 Photos by Josh Letchworth
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The Sanger Flash Flood Ballast and Quick Shape surf system has combined a built in 3000 LBS quick fill Ballast system that fills and drains in 25 seconds with the already popular Quick Shape system; this allows the user to not only re-shape the regular or goofy wave to your favorite shape but also help level uneven loads and create a great ride in rough water conditions. This is one of the most versatile and affordable surf systems in the industry today Scott Pellaton- Sanger Boats
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 Casey Timms
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S238 SUPREME S238
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REIGN SUPREME #REIGNSUPREME
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