New to the sport, couple of questions

[BMWboatski]

I have wakeboarded a few times and snowboarded for years thats about how far my experience goes.

Just bought house on the lake and looking to get into wakeboarding seriously this spring.

When I buy my boat I definitely want the wakeboard set up.

What is the main purpose of a wakeboard tower?

 

[Freeball]

Re: New to the sport, couple of questions

Tower serves more than one purpose but is mostly for riders to get a higher 'pop' off the wake for big air tricks. It helps you stay in the air longer as the tension on the ski rope is not pulling you down (like a conventional ski boat). A tower also make deep water starts easier as it pulls you out of the water and not through it. You can mount brackets on them as well, for holding things such as boards, bridles, speakers etc.. leaving more room to move in the boat. And finally a tower is usually a lot sturdier than a 'high pole' and spreads the amount of stress more evenly over the boat.

Hope this helps..

 

[BMWboatski]

Re: New to the sport, couple of questions

Thanks freeb, any recomendations for prop?

 

[Freeball]

Re: New to the sport, couple of questions

prop depends on quite a few different factors... mainly engine rpm. There's some threads under the 'prop' section of this forum that explain what your after far better then I can. Give them a read and ask away!

 

[salty87]

Re: New to the sport, couple of questions

acme marine is one of the more common prop choices for wakeboard boats. once they know the model boat you have and how much weight you run, they can make a recommendation. some people also use oj props still.

the tower also allows you to keep your posture and head/shoulders in a more upright position as you ride. if you allow the boat to pull your weight out ahead of your board...faceplant time.

 

[Tabes117]

Re: New to the sport, couple of questions

I put a tower on my boat and dropped down to a 19". Find out what your max RPMs should be at WOT or wide open throttle from the engine manufacturer. Check what your RPMs are on your boat. Rule of them is for every inch downsize you increase your RPMs at WOT by 200. Down sizing your prop will give you a better hole shot, but decrease top end a little

 

[magillacuddy]

Re: New to the sport, couple of questions

Have you done any wakeboarding in the past? I am also a snowboarder 1st, and started doing some wakeboarding last season. Its a very easy transition between the sports, and now that we are in the middle of Winter here in the North East US, I have to say that the wakeboarding I did this summer has really helped my snowboarding. (At least in my mind)