Boat speed

shakenbake · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 41

Whats up guys, Newbie here. I just started wakeboarding last week and I have a few questions about boat speed. First when pulling someone or being pulled what is the proper speed or way for a deep water start. Once the guy gets up at what speed should the boat go ? Im 6'0 195 if that info helps any !

Flying Tiger · Criminal Joined: 17 May 2004 Posts: 70

At 6'0 195 I'd tow you at about 18 MPH the first few times up then as you get a little better 21-23 MPH

Ridn9high · Outlaw Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 140 City: Livermore

This answer will vary depending on rider,boat,ballast,etc. Boat with no ballast will be pulled around 19-22. When you start adding weight, you need your speed to be greater to clean the wake up.

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

Ridn9high, that is true for some boats but not all. I like to ride at the same speed behind all boats, but sometimes I will sacrafice my comfort to clean up the wake or whathaveyou.

Ridn9high · Outlaw Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 140 City: Livermore

kswiss, We have actually tested this and yes you do have to add speed when weighting down a boat. If you add 1000lbs sacs and lead you will up you RPM's and speed to get the wake you want. We tested a Tige,Sanger and Malibu and in each situation the more weight we added the faster we had to go. BTW we were adding 500lbs each time. Sanger had stock ballast as did the Malibu, but my Tige does not so it had less weight on the last test. Between ballast, sacs, lead and people we had 3700-4000lbs in the BU and Sanger and trust me we were no running at 21-22 mph but more like 25-26.

Hyperlite For Life · Criminal Joined: 08 Apr 2004 Posts: 89

Hyperlite For Life · Criminal Joined: 08 Apr 2004 Posts: 89

Ridn9high · Outlaw Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 140 City: Livermore

colefooter · Posted: May 19, 2004 4:53 pm Post subject:

For getting up go nice and slow untill your up, then i would gradually work your way up to the 20's in speed when you get more comfy riding.

shakenbake · Newbie Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 41

Thanks for all the info guys I will be putting it to use tommrow

finkle · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 4067

Ridn9high,

WaKeBaBiE07 · Newbie Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1

well could yall tell me what speed i should go? i'm like..5'1 and i weigh about 120.. Very Happy

PBRme · Criminal Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 81

Like these guys are saying, there are too many factors to be able to say "Hey, everyone go 18 mph".

Nanistia · Outlaw Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 134 City: Orlando

26 mph is crazy, we have 3700 pounds in my buddy's sante and the wake is clean at 23mph and I ride at 80.

kennethl · Addict Joined: 08 Aug 2003 Posts: 635 City: Champaign

allot of this is going to depend on the size of the board everyone is using.. ie a 220lb guy on a 133 is going to need more speed to keep from sinking when compared to a 130lb guy on 143.

Too slow is better then too fast for a beginner. 18 is generally a good starting point. If you feel like the board is sinking under you - your going too slow - signal the driver to speed up untill the board feels slightly firm but forgiving underneith you.