Leaderboard

I have a 17 s238. I turn on cruise control and quick surf, fill and run a 10 second test. All I play with is the trim tab and unless it's windy it's usually the same. It's VERY consistent for me. I tried my goofy side wave for the first time last night and had someone surfing right away. I'm not sure why some have more issues than others. I'm in love with the boat.

We have a '16 as well. Last year it was finicky to get consistent wakes when dealing with different wind and chop conditions. This year we went to 850lb rear bags, and 160 lbs of lead in each locker and it made a huge difference in consistency. Our crew is typically 4 of us. Lately everything in the rear full, center tank full, and bow weight depends on crew, but anywhere from 50 to 75%. Trim tab from 20 to 70% depending on how they want the height. We bleed off a couple seconds of opposite quickfill to clean the face up if needed. Keeps us happy out there for now.

If Fineline would give this thing enough ballast to start and CATS it would be such a killer boat. Just give me a way to keep the wave face nice and clean no matter what the conditions. I don't wake board - so have little input on the wake there. Also, if you are not running 1000 pound bags in each corner and 800-1000# of lead then yeah I could see how some people get a bad impression. I am over the whole list the boat philosophy now too. Fill the dam thing, drop the tabs and surf side to side all day. Quick and convenient. Works great for our needs - everyone obviously is different. Still want an Ri237 with Opti- V but man the price uptick is no joke - so compromise. S238 = Rock solid boat, great stereo, wicked power plant and roomy. Overall great value and straight up classy style. Is it perfect no - but what is? Now I have seen some MB's that tun my head for sure - not keen on the dash at all - but other than that looks like a wicked boat. Not sure on the wave - but I am guessing it can out surf most of us.

XJ what year is your boat? I have no doubt you have tried everything. That just seems odd to me. I have a 16' like H2O and my wave is just stupid anymore. With a three person crew or 10. Choppy or smooth it's really on point. However, I added over 1000 pounds of lead and I do list it :-)

I would not know about the transmission question, sorry. Another thot tho, have you verified that you have the correct prop on there and the vibration you are feeling is not cavitation? Perhaps with adding all the ballast, the angle changes and causes cavitation (I know its a stretch)....have you tried changing angle by adding bow weight just to test that theory? I am probably way off base here, just something that came to mind....if you have had boat for a while, were running same ballast and never had an issue before, then my idea would be wrong.