Wedge and wakeplate

David Fletcher · Newbie Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 43 City: Austin, Tx

It seems to me that SSV and VLX are very similar, price, interior, size, storage. I am looking at both, havent riden behind VLX yet. Does the wedge (even when weighted down with ballast) make the Malibu a better deal if I feel all else is about the same. BTW I like looks of SSV slightly more.

Brian R · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 161 City: da noke

i have ridden behind a malibu with weight and a wedge.. i can most deff say that it is gonna be restricted when turning .. it wont turn as fast as you want it to.. or as sharpe either.. plus when the wedge is down the wake is way wider than it normally is .. so you might want a shorter rope

Shawn Madison · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 10:58 am Post subject:

The wakeplate is basically a trim-tab. It helps shape the wake, well it just changes the angle of the bow to plane or break plane. The wedge pulls the back end down and offers more displacement which increases wake amplitude. With the new wedge, you can only tell it is down in a hard turn. It handles fine otherwise. You don't need to shorten the rope unless you just like landing about 10 ft out past the wake. RESALE-TRADE IN VALUE should be a deciding factor for you-plus the dealer!

George · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 552 City: Chattanooga

They never said the wakeplate was there to make the wake bigger. It helps with porpusing. When weighted down it can change the shape and does make it steeper. I wouldn't buy a moomba or supra with out it.

Shawn Madison · Posted: Feb 20, 2003 8:20 pm Post subject:

"It is basically a trim-tab. They say it helps shape the wake, well it just changes the angle of the bow to plane or break plane."

From Marine Craft Designers and Naval Architects-Which I am a member!
Porpoising is trim angle related. This action is a constant, rythmic pitching up and down of an out of trim planing craft at speed. Some claim that porpoising reduces the mean wetted surface and, hence, drag.

That's basically what I said before![/u]

Jimmy F · Outlaw Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 229 City: Virginia

The wedge is designed to make the wake bigger. The wakeplate is designed to shape the wake. If you have the hydrolic wake plate you can use it to help the boat plane and then lower it once on plane to make the wake steeper or rampier.

BoardC3 · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 380 City: Ithaca, NY

does anyone have comparative pics? id really like to see some

George · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 552 City: Chattanooga

here the first one is with the wakeplate down and the second one is with it up. You can see the difference in the shape. I think we had a lot more people in the boat in the second pic so it is a little bigger.