Increasing the wake of the boat?

[mercruiser-mitch]

Hi guys, my mate does wakeboarding and is just getting into it, basically as the boat isn't very wide at the back there isn't a huge wake, its okish for wakeboarding, but I thought I would ask for some help.

I have heard about 'ballast bags' and an active 'T' shaped fin that increases the wake. I just wanted to know what is best to give the best wake to board on? Im guessing the ballast bags that fill with water weight the back of the boat down - wouldn't that cause more stress on the engine?

Thanks for the help

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Increasing the wake of the boat?

What kind of boat, engine, legnth etc? I am not sure the T shape thing you mentioned. If it is a Hydrofoil-then NO that will not help at all. The bags do help in the rear of the boat and as far as stress. Well when you have 4 buddies in the back it is the same thing just dont pass the weight limit. Shortening or legnthing the rope may also help you? Also what speed are you pulling at??

 

[Showtime22]

Re: Increasing the wake of the boat?

I think the T mentioned is the Wedge system typically found on Malibu wake board boats. The Wedge is great but can make the wake a little steep. You should weight the front to have a better shaped wake.

I haven't seen many wedge type add ons.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Increasing the wake of the boat?

I weigh 300 pounds, and I make a great addition to any ballast system. I charge by the hour.

 

[wake0559]

Re: Increasing the wake of the boat?

I have 2002 175 Bayliner 135 hp. I have to straight line fat sacks the weight 700lbs. We fill them almost to full with a couple of adults. when you pull a wake boarder behind i/o you can not get the boat on plane, you have to work the trim to get the wake to adjust. if the boat gets on plane you need to back off the gas just a little then pick the speed back up. some time the boat will hold it's speed. the wake off our boat was big enough for me to break my feamur!!!!

 

[smitty1258]

Re: Increasing the wake of the boat?

I have 2002 175 Bayliner 135 hp. I have to straight line fat sacks the weight 700lbs. We fill them almost to full with a couple of adults. when you pull a wake boarder behind i/o you can not get the boat on plane, you have to work the trim to get the wake to adjust. if the boat gets on plane you need to back off the gas just a little then pick the speed back up. some time the boat will hold it's speed. the wake off our boat was big enough for me to break my feamur!!!!

You need to put the sacs in the front man. For an I/O its more important to have weight in the front, than the back.

Id say a 60/40 would produce the best wake for an I/O 60% in front and 40% in back. That should also fix your holding speed issue.

 

[wake0559]

Re: Increasing the wake of the boat?

I guess I didn't make my self clear, If you have a ski locker you need to put one sack in there and one in the back.