I started surfing and love it. Have a 2013 so the obvious next step for me was a gate. Rather then spending cash on another boat I found myself reading every post on this forum regarding it. I was surprised Malibu wouldn't add them to our boats, but I guess its easier to just sell new.
I was going to make one myself based off plans, thanks to everyone who contributed, Dezul/morrisdl/Tom’s Ghetto Surf Gate and then saw the Mission gate, as its appealing to not have to bolt anything on and just have it done. They say it's almost ready, I'm excited and am trying to wait but know I could build one quick too. $550 certainly is a consideration where I could build one in a day too, but I do like supporting a turn key product and the guy really has done a good job.
My big question is though, has anyone retrofited one in permanently on the 2013? In previous threads someone said Malibu was saying the hull is different, but is it really? I would be eager to know if anyone put in one with actuators and the success of doing so?
sprfrkr wrote:
I'm a bit late to the party here, but this thread seems like it is attempting to retrofit the surfgate?! Pretty awesome initiative.
Though, when surfgate was released, Axis stated it could not be retrofit due to the added hull reinforcements that were added. Has this changed?
morrisdl wrote:
not really, Malibu still say that. no one has found evidence of hull differences. lots have added gates to pre 2014 hulls without any ill consequences. YMMV.
The swim gate on 2013 obviously won't accept the exact cut of the 2014 gate, but we could make a similar one that rests on the side of the swim step rather inside the swim step like 2014/2015.
It seems materials would be the 2 Lenco 102 actuators ($179 each,
http://www.anchorexpress.com/lenco-102-series-standard-actuator-15059-001, 2 hinges, 2 sheets of HDPE (around $40 each), cut them similar to the 2014 and wire up 12v to the actuators? Has anyone done this with the actuators?