Trim Tabs for wakesurfing on Maristar 240???

I'm new to wakesurfing this year and love it. My cousin has an '05 Enzo and when he is at the lake we surf all day. However, he only comes to the lake 3 or 4 times a year. I have a 1990 Mastercraft Maristar 240. Since I can't afford a new wakeboard boat I have to make due with what I have. This is a big boat (24' 10"), however being a direct drive with a hull designed for minimal wake (great slalom wakes) it is difficult to create a wake for surfing even using 2000 lbs of ballast on one side. I was thinking of adding trim tabs this winter in hopes of lifting one side of the boat up thus pushing the other side down farther. Has anybody added trim tabs to their boats to help make or shape wakes? Any help, suggestions or feedback is greatly appreciated.

Rob,

I’m thinking along the same lines. For my boat the weight isn’t nearly as important as getting a good list going. We started having one guy tie a rope up high on the tower and then lean back, kind of like sail boat racing except we lean over on the side that’s close to or deep in to the water. My wake is much better when the surf side rub rail is in the water.

I think that adding left and right trim tabs should help. I’ve been thinking about adding a fixed trim tab under my swim deck to prove the idea out, but I won’t get it done this season, our last ride will be this evening.

The other problem that I see is that my swim platform starts to dig in to the water. I think that the platform is working against building a list, but not too badly. The platform also kicks up a little spray and scoops out some of the riding part of the surf wake. I saw else where on WW that someone was complaining about the small Centurion swim platforms. They might be small to reduce interference with wakesurfing.

If you add trim tabs I love to hear how it works out, good luck.

I ride behind an 89 Maristar 240. We can get a decent waksurf wake with 500# in the rear locker and 500# in the ski locker. This weekend we are gonna try moving both sacs to the rear. Make sure your sacks are on one side, and play around with the throttle. You shouldnt have a problem at all.

They made Maristars back then (89 & 90)? Is it a TriStar?

the biggest TriStars were 22' and i think the last tristars were 88s. not sure though...

forgive my ignorance, but whats a list? how do you build it? never surfed and new to wakesurfing.

(Message edited by denverd1 on November 13, 2005)

A list is when the boat is leaning to the side. You build it with ballast. For more info go to
www.HowToWakeSurf.com