Wakeboard Props

[Sledneck]

Need some help on a prop. The boat is a 1986 Beachcraft 170 with a 3L mercursier Alpha One stern Drive. Over the last two summers we found that if you knew what you were doing you could stand up behind my boat, if not you were drinking lake water. Any Idea on what i should run. Boat's max rmp is 4-4500 rpm.

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Wakeboard Props

You might want to take a look at the sticky posts in the Prop forum to get an idea of what you need to gather for info on your current performance. I have a Bayliner 175 with a 3.0 L and we started with a 3 blade alum 14.25 x 21 prop, moved to 19 pitch and then switched to SS at 14.25 x 19. I did this to get better holeshot and I wasn't too concerned about loosing at top end speed.

That said when you mention your riders going face forward I'm not sure a change in prop will help with that problem. They may just end up in water a bit faster . With a better prop (bigger engine, etc) you can get out of the water faster but if you don't have the right technique they'll just likely end up in the water again.

 

[Sledneck]

Re: Wakeboard Props

Thanks I'll check it out, maybe i just need a lesson because it seems that I'm the only one drinking lake water.

Any tips on wake boarding when your 6'-7"?

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Wakeboard Props

When I had started water skiing again after a long break I found a series of videos that were helpful to me. I was having the problem of coming overtop and the videos helped me with my technique.

http://1hourWaterSkiing.com/video1/
http://1hourWaterSkiing.com/video2/
http://1hourWaterSkiing.com/video3/
http://1hourWaterSkiing.com/video4/

When I'm getting up these days I'm always telling myself the same thing - arms straight, toes pointed up and bum down. When I first changed from skis to a wakeboard it was the same process. The first time I got up on the board I went for a fair distance with the board sideways still and me squatting so standing up and straigtening out the board is almost a secondary task.

I'm 6-1 / 230# so it takes a bit more for the boat to get to a speed where I can be pulled up on top, but I just focus on those 3 things and let the boat do the work. When I had started skiing again I was trying to pull myself up which was causing me to fall. Since then I've been pulled up with the boat pulling a big tube (200# of kids on it) at the same time and another time with a 35# kid on my back so the smaller engines can do it.

We also started with a 135 cm board and universal binding. I switched to a 144 cm board which is more appropriate to my weight and binding that didn't kill my feet.

 

[Dave.Mishchenko]

Re: Wakeboard Props

I should also add that when I'm on skis the message of toes up mean I need to keep seeing the tips of the skiis. With the wakeboard it's a bit harder but I still have to keep the front edge of the board up.

The videos will talk about starting the boat slowly and just focusing on maintaining your position. If you get the position down you should be able to get the board on top the water (you'll still be in the squat position) and then stand up and sit down at will. Does that make sense? Once you have it down it becomes more fluid and getting the board on top the water, straightening it out and standing will appear to be one action, but to start getting the board on the water is all the boat's job. You just have to maintain the correct position.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Wakeboard Props

I noticed in your post you said front edge of the board up, when riding yes when getting up NO. When I teach people I have them stay in a ball in the water, knees touching insides of elbows with arms out. SIDE edge of the board is about 1" out of the water, on hit it keep legs bent but put all the pressure on your legs, the boat should pull you up and turn the board all in one motion, don't fight it let it turn you straight then stand into a athletic stance and ride, if it turns you onto your off side either ride it out cause you need to practice both ways or switch right away before the boat gets to speed. Until you can do a surface 180 you will wipe out trying to switch and it is usually pretty bad cause you catch the side edge and instant face plant. Good luck have fun. I use a merc hi-five prop and it is the bomb for water sports.