Little Dude Goes W2W Behind Every Boat But SAN?

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

My 10 year old can go W2W behind every boat but ours; X-15, BU and Supra but not the SAN. I have full factory ballast (plus 4 people in back seat), 65' rope and 23 mph. At this he gets close but the wipeouts make me nervous. Thoughts? Fat sacks in bow?

His technique is good; cut, approach, takeoff, etc. Just landing 12" short.

Thanks!

Epic · Addict Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 765

Shorten the rope another 5'. Not sure I'd want my little guy casing the wake over and over.

Jim M · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 2933

I think that is pretty common with the SAN. The wake is so steep and hard, especially for a grom. Definitely look at shortening the rope 5 feet, or transferring weight to the bow or even draining some of the back two tanks. It may make the wake even harder, but it should give it a better transition and narrow the wakes a bit. It also may help you decrease speed by a click or two, 23mph must seem like 30mph for a 10 year old!

Giff · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 9

I agree that 23mph is a little fast. My 10 year old easily goes W2W on our SAN. He rides at 20.8 with a 70' rope. We have added about 150 lbs to the bow to flatten out the ramp a little. He may be a little intimitaded and be backing off as he approaches. My son does get some serious height off our wake, especially for a 4'-10" 10 year old. He will get it soon.

Giff · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 9

I just realized that you have full ballast plus 4 in the back. I would back a little off that wake. With 4 people in the back, I would drain the rear tanks. He should get it easy then.

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

Thanks guys!

I'll have to secretly drain the tanks and move the people up front or take him out alone.

Part of his problem is he is riding with some teenagers that he wants to be like; same rope length, ballast, speed, jersey. I've shortened the rope as far as it will go without him being in the prop spray. I was pulling him at 21 mph but his instructor on the MC pulled him at 23 mph so he "thinks" I should tow him at the same speed. Since he's been in a boat his whole life, he knows the speed based on sound so it isn't that easy to trick him. Same for ballast so I'll take him out with just us.

He is so light that when he comes up short he bounces back up and then cases the downside of the wake. Shocked

ohdoor · Soul Rider Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 281 City: OKC

I really wish I started wakeboarding at that age... props to your son.

stxr racer · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 179

Icap..Like Giff said, he might be backing off a little. If he "commits" to a "smooth" progressive cut, he should be able to clear both wakes easy.
Try him at 60ft and build from there. 23mph is fine if he is comfortable at that speed. Heres a pic of my 11 yr old, San wake, 70ft at 23mph.

Jim M · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 2933

Is that lil ripper reaching for a roast beef? Thats awesome Very Happy

tpj · Outlaw Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 158

man...i wish that i was that good when i was 11. and i wish i was fortunate enough to ride behind a san at any time

stxr racer · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 179

Jim M...thanks, thats a roast beef for sure!

(and i wish i was fortunate enough to ride behind a san at any time)

Tjp...I hear ya. He is "very fortunate" and really appreciates being able to ride behind the san whenever we go ridin.