advertisingadmin
Administrator
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2012
- Messages
- 51
<p>Your tow boat is your biggest riding or skiing investment. It plays a large part in your success and fun on the water. Most family style boats, even pontoon boats, have the features and power needed to tow wakeboarders, wake surfers and water skiers.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-1.jpg" border="0" />
<p>But the specialized tow boat manufacturers focus on features to help make learning easier and improve your performance.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-2.jpg" border="0" />
<p>The fall and winter months signal boat show season, so now is a perfect time to start researching and looking at the new tow boats for 2016. New boat not in the budget this year? It never hurts to dream, and you'll be able to determine your own "must have" features. Buying a used specialized tow boat, or purchasing in partnership with a friend can trim costs.
<p>What should you look for when shopping at boat shows or on the internet? I believe the rider or skier should focus on five areas: Engine location, boat length, tow point, wake size and shape, and ability to deliver a precise speed.
<p><b>Engine Location </b>
Specialized tow boats have an inboard engine either in the center of the boat or at the stern. A center engine placement is standard for water skiing, since the hull rides higher on the water, resulting in a smaller wake. Center engine placement (direct drive) also provides extra tracking, especially for slalom skiers who cross the boat's wake.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-3.jpg" border="0" />
<p>Boats with a center engine can be adapted for wakeboarding and wake surfing by adding ballast to the boat. However, towboats with a V-drive engine placed at the stern are the state of the art for these disciplines.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-4.jpg" border="0" />
<p>The extra weight in the stern puts the hull deeper in the water when on plane, and that creates a bigger wake. So choose according to your passion.
<p><b>Length </b>
Towboat length can range from 20 to 25 feet. For water skiing, the Nautique 200 at 20 feet long is on the shorter side of the length range, helping give the slalom skier precise straight tracking at slalom speeds (26-36 mph). V-drive towboats for wakeboarding and wake surfing range in length from 20-25 feet. As the length increases, there is more room for passengers, contest judges and ballast to customize your ideal wake. The tradeoff is that the smaller boats are more maneuverable. Tow boats like my Nautique G23, at 23 feet in length, are a great compromise, balancing space for passengers and ballast while delivering excellent tracking and maneuverability. The 23 foot length is typically used in wakeboard contests.
<p><b>Tow Point</b>
Boats for water skiing have the pylon near the midpoint of the boat, just forward of the center engine. This provides straight tracking for the skier. V-drive boats for riding and surfing have the pylon behind the seating area, just ahead of the engine. This keeps the cockpit space open for passengers and judges, and keeps the seating area clear of the line. The stern placement of the pylon works well to help you begin your wake surf ride.
<p>Some stern drive powered boats have a tower and have a tow eye at the transom to accommodate skiing, boarding and tubing fun.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-5.jpg" border="0" />
<p>But for serious wakeboarding, the tower's higher tow point is a must. The higher pull gives you more lift when doing wake jumps, and that means more air time for big air spins and inverts. The higher pull is also a big help for teaching first time water skiers to get up, and also makes barefooting easier. If you're just getting started, you can look for aftermarket extended pylons or towers for your boat.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-6.jpg" border="0" />
<p>So don't hesitate to use the fall and winter to check out what's new in tow boats. Even if you're just dreaming, it's a great way to spend a day getting ready for next season on the water.
<p><p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-7.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" border="0" />
<i>Raimi Merritt wins her 10th World Cup with her recent win in Linyi City, China. Raimi is also 2 times IWWF Open Women Wakeboard World Champion and a Masters Champion. Raimi is sponsored by Mynt, Nautique, Hyperlite, Rollei Actioncam America, Breathe Boardwear, Proof Eyewear, OrigAudio, Wakami, Peripheral LS and Fly High. Visit www.raimimerritt.com for the latest news. Raimi also offers personalized coaching in Orlando, Florida. E-mail raimi@stevemerritt.com to schedule a lesson.</i>
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-1.jpg" border="0" />
<p>But the specialized tow boat manufacturers focus on features to help make learning easier and improve your performance.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-2.jpg" border="0" />
<p>The fall and winter months signal boat show season, so now is a perfect time to start researching and looking at the new tow boats for 2016. New boat not in the budget this year? It never hurts to dream, and you'll be able to determine your own "must have" features. Buying a used specialized tow boat, or purchasing in partnership with a friend can trim costs.
<p>What should you look for when shopping at boat shows or on the internet? I believe the rider or skier should focus on five areas: Engine location, boat length, tow point, wake size and shape, and ability to deliver a precise speed.
<p><b>Engine Location </b>
Specialized tow boats have an inboard engine either in the center of the boat or at the stern. A center engine placement is standard for water skiing, since the hull rides higher on the water, resulting in a smaller wake. Center engine placement (direct drive) also provides extra tracking, especially for slalom skiers who cross the boat's wake.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-3.jpg" border="0" />
<p>Boats with a center engine can be adapted for wakeboarding and wake surfing by adding ballast to the boat. However, towboats with a V-drive engine placed at the stern are the state of the art for these disciplines.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-4.jpg" border="0" />
<p>The extra weight in the stern puts the hull deeper in the water when on plane, and that creates a bigger wake. So choose according to your passion.
<p><b>Length </b>
Towboat length can range from 20 to 25 feet. For water skiing, the Nautique 200 at 20 feet long is on the shorter side of the length range, helping give the slalom skier precise straight tracking at slalom speeds (26-36 mph). V-drive towboats for wakeboarding and wake surfing range in length from 20-25 feet. As the length increases, there is more room for passengers, contest judges and ballast to customize your ideal wake. The tradeoff is that the smaller boats are more maneuverable. Tow boats like my Nautique G23, at 23 feet in length, are a great compromise, balancing space for passengers and ballast while delivering excellent tracking and maneuverability. The 23 foot length is typically used in wakeboard contests.
<p><b>Tow Point</b>
Boats for water skiing have the pylon near the midpoint of the boat, just forward of the center engine. This provides straight tracking for the skier. V-drive boats for riding and surfing have the pylon behind the seating area, just ahead of the engine. This keeps the cockpit space open for passengers and judges, and keeps the seating area clear of the line. The stern placement of the pylon works well to help you begin your wake surf ride.
<p>Some stern drive powered boats have a tower and have a tow eye at the transom to accommodate skiing, boarding and tubing fun.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-5.jpg" border="0" />
<p>But for serious wakeboarding, the tower's higher tow point is a must. The higher pull gives you more lift when doing wake jumps, and that means more air time for big air spins and inverts. The higher pull is also a big help for teaching first time water skiers to get up, and also makes barefooting easier. If you're just getting started, you can look for aftermarket extended pylons or towers for your boat.
<p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-6.jpg" border="0" />
<p>So don't hesitate to use the fall and winter to check out what's new in tow boats. Even if you're just dreaming, it's a great way to spend a day getting ready for next season on the water.
<p><p><img SRC="http://www.iboats.com/mall_marketing/newsletter/nov15/images/art1-7.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" border="0" />
<i>Raimi Merritt wins her 10th World Cup with her recent win in Linyi City, China. Raimi is also 2 times IWWF Open Women Wakeboard World Champion and a Masters Champion. Raimi is sponsored by Mynt, Nautique, Hyperlite, Rollei Actioncam America, Breathe Boardwear, Proof Eyewear, OrigAudio, Wakami, Peripheral LS and Fly High. Visit www.raimimerritt.com for the latest news. Raimi also offers personalized coaching in Orlando, Florida. E-mail raimi@stevemerritt.com to schedule a lesson.</i>
