Boat improvements

[Hunterf]

Hi everyone first post here. I have a 2007 stingray ls 14ft ski boat. It has a stern drive with a inline 4 cylinder and a carburetor. It all stock and doesn't have any problems. I like to wakeboard a lot and I'm not looking to get a new boat right now so I want to make this boat the best I can for wake boarding. I put a tower on it that I like and I have a fat sack that gives it a nice wake not huge but nice for what I have. My problem is I don't have quite the power I would like. When trimmed down and with a lot of ballast It struggles to get up to speed and when you swing out on the rope the boat can't hold speed. So basically I'm asking what can I do to get bigger wake with more constant speed and more power. Also I am the only one that is any good at keeping the speed the same when pulling some one which doesn't help me any when I want to ride. So also any tips on that.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Boat improvements

You can use a smaller prop BUT you should be carefull to not to exceed the max RPM

 

[OneFoot81]

Re: Boat improvements

What engine do you have, what size prop? I have a 17' Sea Ray with a Mercruiser (130hp). Currently have a 19p prop, and does a decent job, but thinking about going to a 17p prop to get more control at ~20mph.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Boat improvements

I'm not sure there is a whole lot you can do. Dedicated wake boats have at least twice the HP. How big is your boat? Can't be 14' right?

 

[rallyart]

Re: Boat improvements

We do need more details to give you the best advice but if you want to control your speed better and start faster you need a lower pitch prop. That means you might over rev the engine. Trim tabs at the transom or a hydrofoil on the leg can help get you out of the water and control speed. PerfectPass or some other good cruise control can help you control speed but that might cost $1000. On almost any boat this is a big plus for boarding.
If your boat is 14' you probably don't really want the tower on it.

To make a bigger wake you need to push more water which means more weight and a bigger boat. To avoid slowing on loads and to get out of the hole and start faster you need more power which for practical purposes means a different boat. A prop change will help by increasing your effective torque.