Wakeboarding off a RIB ???

[George Zeck]

Hi All -

I just bought a Apex 12ft RIB with a 25HP Merc. Any idea if I'd be able to wakeboard off it? I assume tie down off the back cleats? If not; how?

25hp seems a bit sluggish; but it also was / is in dire need of a tune up and some serious TLC - hoping that will make a difference / improvement in power.

Tx-

George Zeck

 

[jamesdeanj]

Re: Wakeboarding off a RIB ???

If there was only 1-2 people in the boat you could pull someone. It wouldn't be fast, but possible (as long as it was a smaller person). I can get my Futura Mark 2HD with a Yamaha 25 2 stroke up to 26-28mph on smooth water with just me in the boat.

 

[nobrainsd]

Re: Wakeboarding off a RIB ???

Well, I wakeboard behind my mark2 futura with 40hp nissan. I've got quite a bit of weight in the boat, but it hits 29 mph (off the gps) in relatively smooth water. It is a full throttle start and the boat stands up and drags you for a bit before you can rotate the wakeboard onto a plane. Once the rider is up the boat really goes and handles the weight at the end of the line very well. Sort of like wakeboarding behind a jetski, it's a waterlogged start for sure! My 230 lb friend looked like he needed a snorkle as we dragged him for quite a while before he popped up. The better your skill at rotating up the less drag time you will have. I had a harder time getting out of the water with a tow line bridle attached to the transom (don't use cleats, use eyebolts through the transom or u bolts), so I installed a pole. Really helps you get up! If I'm towing big riders I put the spotter up front. Getting the weight forward really helps. I have seen people wakeboard behind all sorts of small craft, it is the start that is difficult. Saw a wakeboarder behind a soft bottom avon with a 25 hp motor the other day. The more skill at rotating up and the lower hp you can work with.

deck mount

 

[George Zeck]

Re: Wakeboarding off a RIB ???

Thanks for the update.

Geo

 

[lester]

Re: Wakeboarding off a RIB ???

I would imagine this setup would work. I have a Saturn 12' sib with Yamaha 15hp that I use to wakeboard. Works pretty well once you get up, which is the toughest part for a small boat with not much power.