New Boat Wedge or NO wedge

dcolemanVLX · Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 6

Does the wedge really produce a better wake? Or leave it off the boat ...

boehnkew · Outlaw Joined: 26 Mar 2003 Posts: 112 City: Kennewick, WA

I've never used one, but the only bad thing I've heard about them is that you shouldn't put one on a MasterCraft (or probably anything but a Malibu). Here is a link from rec.sport.waterski where a guy describes his bad results after installing one on his MC PS 190: http://makeashorterlink.com/?A10552284

Most people like them on Malibu boats.

tuneman · Newbie Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 49

It doesn't necessarily make a better wake, but a different one. A wedge tends to make the wake steeper and wider. In other words, it will launch you up, more than out. I have one on my Malibu and can't ride without it. But, my son rides with ballast only. He has a hard time clearing the second wake with the wedge down.

Monkey · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 31 City: Carlsbad, CA

My boat's a 97' Sunsetter. I've also ridden behind newer Sunsetters. I've ridden behind my boat almost every weekend for over a year now, at varying speeds and varying rope lengths, so I consider myself fairly knowledgable. The wedge makes the wake bigger. I hear people say it doesn't and don't understand why they say that. It's noticably bigger. I've measured it on video tape. And as for wake shape, it's no different than weight distribution. Basically, it adds the equivelant of about 400 to 800 pounds to the back of the boat (depends on speed mostly). If you add additional weight and distribute it to shape the wake the way you want it, it'll shape up exactly as you'd expect. Also, I've never noticed any difference in wake "width" with the wedge down. I don't know why it would change, but maybe I'm just not paying close enough attention, or maybe people are fooled by the fact that the wake will get steeper if you don't offset the wedge with additional weight up front...

Anyway, I leave my wedge down 24/7 because my boat's for wakeboarding from the moment it hits the water to the moment it gets pulled out. I spend only 1% of my time getting to our starting spot at idle speed, then we throw someone in and drag them around Rolling Eyes

Bottom line: Buy the wedge. It's worth every penny!

-Monkey

Monkey · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 31 City: Carlsbad, CA

My boat's a 97' Sunsetter. I've also ridden behind newer Sunsetters. I've ridden behind my boat almost every weekend for over a year now, at varying speeds and varying rope lengths, so I consider myself fairly knowledgable. The wedge makes the wake bigger. I hear people say it doesn't and don't understand why they say that. It's noticably bigger. I've measured it on video tape. And as for wake shape, it's no different than weight distribution. Basically, it adds the equivelant of about 400 to 800 pounds to the back of the boat (depends on speed mostly). If you add additional weight and distribute it to shape the wake the way you want it, it'll shape up exactly as you'd expect. Also, I've never noticed any difference in wake "width" with the wedge down. I don't know why it would change, but maybe I'm just not paying close enough attention, or maybe people are fooled by the fact that the wake will get steeper if you don't offset the wedge with additional weight up front...

Anyway, I leave my wedge down 24/7 because my boat's for wakeboarding from the moment it hits the water to the moment it gets pulled out. I spend only 1% of my time getting to our starting spot at idle speed, then we throw someone in and drag them around Rolling Eyes

Bottom line: Buy the wedge. It's worth every penny!

-Monkey

ChadB · Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Posts: 10

I have experience the wedge on my boat. I have a 02 VLX with the Wedge 23. That is the correct wedge for that style boat and to me, the wake is just cleaner and enlarged, but stays the same shape as before with it down. Some people like it down, some like it up. I guess its just all personal opinion.

projectely4 · Posted: May 10, 2003 7:25 am Post subject:

i think it is something good to have if you have a malibu

Shawn Madison · Posted: May 10, 2003 2:45 pm Post subject:

Are you serious? Wedge all the way!

Mike O · Soul Rider Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 416 City: KINGSPORT

We put 1100# in rear and 875# in front with four people in the boat and the wake was great without the wedge. Sometimes we put a little less weight in rear and put wedge down to add vert edge. Makes for nice flexibility!

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

this topic came up yesterday on my friend's malbu...

we were riding with one of the local pros in norcal when he started commenting on wake distribution, and also that he didnt like to use the wedge. the reason was beecause he rides at about 80 feet and the wake tends to be washy back that far with the wedge down. instead they weigh the front of the boat so that they can create a clean wake back where they are riding. yesterday i did notice that at about 75 feet the wake was washy with the wedge down.

so my question is for those who own or ride behind a malibu often: what are your wakes like at around 75 or 80 feet with the wedge down?

Draper Wood · Posted: May 11, 2003 2:44 pm Post subject:

I work for a Malibu dealer. When someone is looking at buying a boat we will let them see the wake with and without the wedge. Try and get a demo and ride behind it with the wedge up and down. That is the only way to truly know what it is like. It is all personal preference.

Draper

dcolemanVLX · Newbie Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 6

Thanks all... I just didn't like the fact that there would be holes drilled in the boat!!

Monkey · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 31 City: Carlsbad, CA

There are holes drilled in the boat for everyting... gear, tracking fins, exhaust, water intake, swim platform, lights, plugs, etc... nothing to worry about.

I've ridden out as far as 75 feet, and the wake's fine. Plenty of pros like the wedge. Everyone says that it's all personal preference. I think it has more to do with people finding one solution that works for them, and sticking with it. I figure, if you're going to stick with the first solution that works, it may as well be the wedge because it's more practical.

-Monkey