How can u fix a choppy Wake and best wakeboard for it...

TJeep_1999 · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 4 City: Charlotte

Two Questions:

1. My parents just got an older sea ray signature 260. The wake seems to "roll" meaning it is not consistantly the same height as it forms a "V" behind the boat. Also the boat seems to make the outside of the wake pretty choppy even when the lake is smooth. Is there anything that can be done w/ the trim or speed to fix that or is it just the way the boat was designed?

2. I've been wakeboarding w/ friends, but only one or twice. I'm looking at a used board. I was thinking I should get a continuous rocker because of the chop behind the boat and my skill level, but I saw a good deal on a 3 stage blended rocker wakeboard (liquid force witness)... wondering how much difference there would be and which rocker design I should get.

Hopefully not too many questions for one post. Thanks!

JeffreyCH · Posted: Mar 24, 2011 2:18 pm Post subject:

I've never heard of a boat making the water choppy outside the wake? Neutral

A few things that help with the wake wash out. After the boat planes out trim up 1/4, add weight in the bow. (ie: have passengers sit up front)

Because 3 stage has more pop it will ride rougher in choppy conditions. After you get better it is kind of fun to see if you can jump chop to chop instead of wake to wake (I'm kidding, that's a good way to face plant Wink

)

TJeep_1999 · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 4 City: Charlotte

Could be the chop out side of the wake is just from the lake itself??? I think that does make more sense...

Taking the boat out tomorrow night. Going to pay attn to what kind of wake we get around 20-22 mph and what it looks like... will try the trick with adding weight up front and the trim adjustment.

For the wakeboard it's between a lightly used 2010 LF Witness w/ Ultra bindings or a 2011 LF Trip w/ Index bindings. They are exact same price... per your reply leaning twards the 2011 LF Trip for now...

Thanks for the info!

Benji Mac · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2011 Posts: 34 City: Okinawa, Japan

In regards to the Trip w/ Index bindings: That is the set up that I used when I was renting gear at the local pulling area - I hated it. It wasn't the board at all, it rode great and since ride in the ocean it handled the chop very well, but the bindings did not fit. I'm assuming your looking at the 9-12(or 13 i forget). I wear a size 10.5 shoe so I thought they would be good. wrong. Every time i fell, and a newb it is a lot, my feet would rip out of the bindings. There was little to no support fully tightend and my feet slid around inside. I would recommend not getting that set up for the bindings to keep from broken ankles. I have tried on Ultra bindings, transit and one other that has a 1 or 2 size range (ie 8-10, 9-10) and it was the world of difference. Gauging from what a lot of what these guys say and they know much more than I, it is very important to get bindings that fit well and the index, unless you have a HUGE foot, may not work - just something to consider.

I have ordered the LF Groove w/ trasit bindings, size 8-10. I did a lot of research on the board and it is said to do very well in various conditions - choppy, smooth, whatever, and it was only $329 on evo.com

Sorry that was kinda long winded, just some things to think about before purchase.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond

Try to take some pictures of the wake in different conditions, too. That will probably help in people being able to give you more advice.

TJeep_1999 · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2011 Posts: 4 City: Charlotte

Turns out the wake "osolated" so much becasue we were going too slow. When we brought it up to speed (an played with the trim) it flattened right out. The only problem now is that it's pretty small, but at this point I'm just happy to have access to a boat Very Happy

Benji Mac thanks for the input... I actually went with the used Witness and Ultra bindings. Ironically the bindings were what sold me on the board and your post helped confirm my decision.

Thanks for all the advice input!

pet575 · Posted: Mar 28, 2011 10:00 am Post subject:

TJeep_1999, you can and should play around with different trim settings with your focus on the weight being in the front-even if it is just passengers. Some boats will show huge differences just with weight between the bow seats and some trim adjustment.

Like it was stated above, take pics and post them with things like amount of weight, location of the weight, speed (on a GPS if possible), and trim level.

cadunkle · Criminal Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Posts: 60 City: NJ

I got a Witness with Ultra bindings last year as my first board. I've only rode two other boards but fortunately like the Witness the best. This setup feels stable, comfortable and forgiving... Which I appreciate as a beginner.

nickdakoolkat · Posted: Mar 30, 2011 10:12 pm Post subject:

In regards to the wake washing out at times, and other times being crisp this probably has to do with the driver not keeping a consistent speed. And this is why I have fallen in love with perfect pass, because my 5 year old niece can give me a half way decent pull.

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

Some additional tips to help with wake. Assuming your 260 is a 26 footer, it will need a LOT of weight to grow the size. You will notice a difference with 1000lbs but probably not much and will need to be well over 2000lbs to get some meat to the wake but if you are starting out I wouldn't worry too much about the size now but focus on cleaning it up.

Generally you want to set trim as high as possible without porposing - 1/4 or higher. To get the most of your trim, put most weight in the bow 60+%. Also you can add a hydrofoil (stingray or other brand) to your lower unit for about $50 which will keep the boat steadier and make it bounce less allowing you to trim it more. Also speed will matter, with faster speeds getting you a cleaner harder wake, but will make it smaller.