Malibu boats with or without a wedge

tn_guy212000 · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 268

I am a newbie here and was wondering how much of a dffernce do these wedges actually make ...and what is the earliest model you can get theem on.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Jan 25, 2003 5:24 pm Post subject:

I think they add aproxamantly 1000lbs of downforce. I dont know, about the hulls though. i think they work on all 23 series hulls, mabe othors than that. I honesly dont know about the hulls though.

Coach_Mike · Newbie Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 10 City: Chicago Area

We have a 2002 Sunscape 23LSV with the Wedge. The previous reply about 1000 lbs. is also what we were told when we got it. It definitely does make a difference in the wake, and changeover for different activities is a snap, just raise or lower to suite the next person. Very Happy

Glad we got it FWIW. Wink

laser145 · Posted: Jan 26, 2003 9:10 am Post subject:

I have a 99 Sportster with the wedge. I love it, its the easiest ay to add wake. You can get across the lake fast, then drop it down to ride. It makes a big difference with the wake.

skicrave · Criminal Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 76 City: Portland

The overall effect of the Wedge, and how much it shapes and increases wake size will vary based on the specific model you are discusing.

For 80% of people the Wedge is usually a very sound investement.

It is available for any boat which uses the a hull from the SV23 family. Basically that means it can be added to any Echelon, any Sunsetter built after 1995 and any of the other models, starting in '95 (except the Flightcraft of course).

More info at: MalibuBoatOwners.com

Mullet Man · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 132 City: SoCal

I have been in many different models of Malibus. I would always go for the Wedge. In each modle it works a little different. In some boats is drastically improves the size and shape. In other boats it adds to the shapes and hardness. I will never order another boat without one. Quick, easy, and super effective.

tn_guy212000 · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 268

Can you put a wedge on a 80's model susetter, or skier..if so how does it fair on those boats?

skicrave · Criminal Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 76 City: Portland

The Wedge is only available through Malibu for the years listed above. It has to do with a combination of factors, mainly the strength of the transom, and the hull design. The Wedge is designed to be used on the SV23 hulls, which are drastically different from anything the early Skiers and Sunsetters used.

Of course you could probably put one on any boat, if you can get it. I doubt it would work very well with out some modifications though. The biggest problem I see is the rudder hitting the Wedge.

mcfatty · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 725 City: Cookeville

I love our wedge and don't ride without it. We have an 02 Wakesetter direct drive.

Sbt3 · Soul Rider Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 279 City: Okauchee

I personally don't like the wedge. My friend has one on his LXI and we don't use it. We usually add sacs instead. It seems that if you use the wedge you have to go slower to get a good wake. We are used to riding more around 23, if you use the wedge it seems like 19-20. Thats my opinion. If I bought a malibu I wouldn't go out of my way to get the wedge. All we do is board so if you are going to ski it could be ok for you.

Scott Donohue · Newbie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 22 City: Wonthaggi

we have a 2002 malibu responce and personly i HATE the wedge it makes the wake realy lippy and steap we have 2 780lb sacs in the back and 450lb sac in the frount wake supper nice big and ramp the only way to have it

steveaz · Criminal Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 73 City: Phoenix, AZ

These pics were taken in a 2002 VLX. 400 #'s in the bow, 6 peeps in the cockpit (850#'s) and PP set at 21.5.

There are also 2 different types of wedges, the new wedge (wedge 23) and the original wedge (I think they call it wedge 25). Depending on which hull you have determines which wedge (SV23, SV23 diamond....).

steveaz · Criminal Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 73 City: Phoenix, AZ

BTW, weight distribution is KEY with the wedge. Too much weight in the front the affective angle of the wedge is greater and performance suffers as well as the wake becomes steeper. Too much weight in the back...the wedge is less affective and you get the same results. I run with the wedge 90% of the time but run with 1900 #'s plus peeps. Of that I keep a weight distribution of about 50/50 give or take 5% including people.

Hope this helps,
Steve

Kyle Shaw · Outlaw Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Posts: 157 City: Pittsburgh

I have a 2000 wakesetter (V-drive), the year they didnt put the wedge on it. I can get a good wake out of it without it. I don't think it is worth the extra money. All i put in my boat is 400 in the back of sand. Two 600's on top of that. The MLS in the middle, two side sacks up front, and more sand in the middle. it comes out to about to just over 3000lbs. The boat preforms good, and the wake is decent.

steveaz · Criminal Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 73 City: Phoenix, AZ

Kyle, you're right, you can get a great wake without the wedge. However there are a couple other things to consider. When I bought my boat one of the stipulations was that there would be no filling of sacs, no visable ballast, and retain virtually all of the storage. By adding a larger locker sack (700#'s) in place of the original and 700 #'s of lead, I have done just that. The wedge also allows me to give riders an option (rampy or vert wake) and I can accomplish either within 15 sec. I'm not saying it's for everyone, just sharing my personal experience. Also, I have ridden the following configurations (2000, 2001, and 2002 VLX's all have the same hull) without wedge and none of them had a wake that was the same as a "wedged" wake, they were all rampier.

This would include:

*700 bow, 350 each side of the engine, and 4 peeps...very rampy, kind of small
*700 bow, 250 each side of the engine, 400 cockpit, 4 peeps...still pretty rampy, little bigger
*1000 bow, 350 each side of the engine, 4 adults in cockpit when riding (800#'s)...the wake was good sized, very hard, but a little rampier than I like, still a great wake though.

All in all, I think the VLX is capable of a great wake with or without the wedge, just depends on what your priorities are I guess.

J_DOGG · Posted: Jan 28, 2003 1:03 pm Post subject:

Not that you care but.... Most of the pro's run these boats WITHOUT the wedge.....
I have heard some good stories about how shitty those things are to drive with it down. It's been compared to driving around the lake with an anchor attached to the back.... personally not my cup of tea....

PEACE

Mullet Man · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 132 City: SoCal

I do not agree that most of the pros ride without the wedge. I used to be a factory rep in the surf industry and was a friend of the SoCal LF rep. He asked me to bring my boat out and pull for a demo day with some of thier pros, Thomas, Cody Ramsey, and Cody Hall. They had me put the Wedge down and we then balanced out the weight in the boat to dial it in. I know that the pros did not like the wedge before, but since the introduction of the new Pro Wedge which Ricky helped dial in, a lot of Malibus team riders now use it.

GulfCoastRider · Guest

My father owns a 2001 Sportster with the old wedge and without the wedge, it has no wake period. Using the wedges brings the wake up to atleast jumping level. I add a 500lb sack in the rear and 6 x 100lbs waterbed tubes on the sides of the engine compartment. With the wedge down and the weight, it gives me a wake I can pull most of my tricks off on, but they take much more effort.
I have a 2003 Wakesetter VLX with the new wedge and I don't notice as dramatic of an increase in wake size as with the sportster, but it does infact shape it a lot. With the wedge, MLS 3-stage Ballast, 2 x 250lb sacks, and 1 x 500lb sack the VLX kicks you up pretty good.

Fact is...if you are going for big air to pull Mobes, Rallies, 720's or whatever, you need weight with the wedge no matter what. If you're bunny hoppin, pulling an occassional back roll, or 180, then you might be okay with just the wedge. In that scenario, it is very convienient.

wssv137 · Posted: Jan 29, 2003 7:23 am Post subject:

i own a launch ssv, but i have a friends with a malibu. it is equiped with the wedge. it throws a nice wake, but it just seems to be so hard on the boat, especially when you get a crowd in the boat. but dont get me wrong it throws a nice wake! Confused

J_DOGG · Posted: Jan 29, 2003 9:59 am Post subject:

Gerry Nun didn't ride his with the wedge... I consider him a pro...
correct that was a few years back and things may have changed....but it still doesn't improve the actual drivability of the boat...

the 2002 I tested last year, had a wedge and it sucked... not my fault the dealer can't dial the wake in so he can sell boats...

You are still towing an anchor around the lake no matter how you look at it. Nice boat just not for me....

By the way I like your board name MULLET MAN... that's a good one...

PEACE

steveaz · Criminal Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 73 City: Phoenix, AZ

Does the wedge affect the driveability?

I can't speak much for the original wedge, although I have heard that it was difficult.

With the new wedge (wedge 23)...yes, but only slightly if the boat is config'd properly. Also, who's driving donuts while boarding? Sharpest turn I make is for a double up and it's noticable but not that much. As for dragging an anchor.....not hardly...and J Dogg, I'd hardly consider you much of an expert (1 test drive in what was probably a poorly setup boat)but you seem to be pretty vocal :lol:

As always, TEST DRIVE, TEST DRIVE, TEST DRIVE...and if anyone would like any advice as to setup, feel free to email me at stevenbjenkins@cox.net.

Boardbrat · Posted: Jan 29, 2003 4:29 pm Post subject:

I own a malibu sportster with a wedge and it makes a big difference and a nice rounded wake. I definately could feel the bigger air I got once we put it on. Less effort for bigger air. and Iam a girl..WHOA !!

Mullet Man · Outlaw Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 132 City: SoCal

Thanks J Dogg,

Got to give some love to mullets. I agree, the new wedge has not helped with handling at all. That is the only draw back for me. I just try to live with it.

edswakeboarding1 · Newbie Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 4 City: Kittery ME

the wedge is good if you want a quick ride without filling up the sags.
otherwise i think its crap.
Ed