Malibu wedge

CHiLi DaWg · Posted: Jun 09, 2004 2:16 pm Post subject: Malibu wedge

I found a Malibu Wakesetter VLX with 500lbs center ballast and the wedge.
Does the wedge make that big of a difference? They say it's equal to 1000lbs of ballast. How different is the wake with the wedge vs without?

wkbrdr82 · Newbie Joined: 03 Sep 2003 Posts: 31

without much ballast it makes a huge difference, with ballast and mostly just puts a lip on the wake which gives an extra little pop

Bowen · Posted: Jun 09, 2004 2:54 pm Post subject:

Just spend a little extra and get the Wedge...you won't regret it.

Bruky · Guest

Looks like you are looking into the Mobius as well. I think that the wakeplate is a lot more effective than the Wedge. The wedge does more for shape than size, but the wakeplate on the Moombas really do help the size, and shape.

anti-shoobies · Posted: Jun 09, 2004 7:18 pm Post subject:

The Wedge gives it a really nice lip at the top.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

i36hyperlite · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 6:38 am Post subject:

I love the wedge on my boat, wouldnt have it any other way. (95 sunsetter turned wakesetter)
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simon.wt · Newbie Joined: 10 Jun 2004 Posts: 15

eum <- noob, what's a wedge ? Embarassed

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

Malibu offers a type of reverse-hydrofoil that can be deployed through a hatch in the swim platform that locks in place below the waterline, and when the boat moves, the stern gets pulled down by the resulting water pressure, thus changing the wake.

I always use mine, except for beginners.

I was trashing my 'bu wake a few weeks ago, but last weekend we had 8 people in it, along with the MLS ballast and the wedge, and I actually got a little scared of the wake. (of course, I got over it, but when I first got up, I was like "damn, man...."

Erik · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 8:45 am Post subject:

I was in a tournament where they ran a Malibu into ground that had a Wedge on it. Wow what a sight that was. Extreme damage done to the transom - boat had 62 hours on it...

i36hyperlite · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 8:53 am Post subject:

...note to self, dont let idiot drive my boat onto shore! THAT SUCKS

did you ride behind it erik? i love the shape on the malibu with the wedge, but the old school wedge seems to make the wake a little wider...
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Erik · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 9:03 am Post subject:

Oooooh touchy territory here... I hate when this comes up (sort of).

ahem. Ok I'm not one to mince words in general...but here goes.

My personal, humble opinion, was this: I absolutely hated the wake. Hated it. I would have paid money to have riden behind my own boat in that tourney. Most people would have said that I guess since most people are more comfortable on their own boat. But this was like a 99 model year boat, in 1998. There was an Air Nautique and the Malibu there. Both boats were wet with saliva - both awesome at the time, in terms of looks and fit and finish and amenities.

The boat had, I think, a half filled sac, and the wedge down. The wake was the size and shape of a large curb. Square and stumpty. Granted it was not properly weighted, but certianly some evidence of what the wake will be with 2000# of ballast will show with a driver, an official and a judge in the boat. The wake just couldn't have seemed more different than what I was used to. I got my butt kicked in the tournament because there was no discernable second wake on which to land. The wake seemed to be constructed of like, a flat platter with sharp down turned edges. I couldnt work with it in the one warm up run I had before my first trick pass.

Then they ran it aground and mangled the thing. There could have been a lot of unlocked potential in that boat - but I will never know. It just made a huge impression on me - all of it. Some people are Malibu people, some are Nautuque people, some MasterCraft, some Tige. This is just my dumb little story of why I am not a Malibu person. I am a Nautique person becuase my family had them and they are what I'm used to (lame I know but still) - and I'm a MasterCraft person due to good experiences at tournaments and expos behind 205's and X-Stars. I'm sorry about the answer if it offends - I respect every boat.

EMP912 · Addict Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 500 City: Greenback

I do not like the wedge down either. Yes it puts a lip on it and I guess a litte bigger, I just think it makes the wake very soft. Real weight as in fat sacs or ballast is much better.
I used to ride with people that had Malibues a few years ago and when they relized how much better it was with just weight they never dropped the wedge back down again.

Just my humble opinion.

By the way the wakes are awesome with weight.[/b]

i36hyperlite · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 9:22 am Post subject:

Its all good erik...

I personally love my wake more and more as i add weight, pretty soon here i'm going to have wedge + 1400 lbs + people, should be a solid ride. My boat doesnt really wash at all and has a decent enough kick.

I also love nautiques, i want to replace the malibu in a couple years and get a 2000 SAN just cause the possibilities are endless off that wake(however you sacrifice a lot of space and comfort, but whatever)

Rode behind a weighted down MC 205 last weekend, that think kicked my ass, I loved it. Able to take some tricks big...however, the wake was too narrow at 75 feet, i wouldve liked 5 more feet of rope

Your experience sounds pretty crappy, but you might want to give malibu's a try again, especially the new ones...
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Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

My experiences have been different. with the wedge and just 600 lbs or more, the wake is SOLID and pretty nice. d-drive wakesetter, 2003.

EMP912 · Addict Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 500 City: Greenback

Yeah I should not have said "very soft".

It just seamed to make the wake soft at the top. Probably from the lip that it added. Your board just would not release properly.

Swass · Guest

Arguing the merits of the wedge is futile - similar to "what's the best board" arguments.

According to participant opinions so far, the wedge will produce a soft, hard, very soft, solid, lippy, rampy, square and stumpty (whatever that is) wake. See what I mean?

Erik · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 10:02 am Post subject:

i36hyperlite · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 10:03 am Post subject:

no matter swass, its just opinions
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Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I wonder why companies don't just design a hull that will produce a big wake without any balast.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

cameraboy, I know, and they need to make it run on water instead of gas. I mean this is rediculous, having to spend that much for gas.

i36hyperlite · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 11:13 am Post subject:

good call to the redesign of wakeboarding...this is ingenious. we could make a lot of money doing this!
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CHiLi DaWg · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 12:44 pm Post subject:

Wakebrad, LOL I agree on the run on water deal! This has been interesting. I also have a post up about the Moomba LSV if any of you have comments about that boat or the wake characteristics of it. Like I said, I'm looking to buy, and I want opinons and personal experiences.

How are the Malibu's mechanically? Much problems?

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

That's funny. Your avatar is a Supra logo, and you're inquiring about moombas and malibus. Sounds like you haven't narrowed it down much = )

It's good to look at all of the companies though, get whats best for you.

colefooter · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 1:29 pm Post subject:

I love my wedge. I have a malibu with the center ballast with the wedge. It makes a nice wake. I have rode behind moombas and stuff with just weight and i can feel the difference, but i still get the same about of air.

Erik · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 1:34 pm Post subject:

I think Malibus are mechanically good. And lordy do I agree with "why dont they make big wakeboard boats without ballast."

Agh!

So true - but that goes against the last 10 years in hull development that gets marine architects to design hulls that lift the boat out of the water, rather than allow it to plow through it. Re-use in engineering is also clutch, so they probably use parts of the molds across every boat in a manufacturer's line. They dont want to build a hull mold that makes the bottom shaped like a cinder block unless they can use some part of it in the slalom boat, and so on. This is especially true for pre-99 boats. After that they did in fact try some of these hull mods with modest success.

But as much as people laugh at the x-80, you may be looking at the future of wake boats. Wakeboarding boats are not getting smaller - people are not trying to go smaller with their tricks, and they're not looking for a shorter line length and smaller wake...

CHiLi DaWg · Posted: Jun 10, 2004 2:54 pm Post subject:

Erik, True, true.
Wakebrad, I have an old Supra now. When I change, so will the avatar Smile

As far as narrowing it down goes, I'm going for the most bang for the buck. I don't have 40g's to use, so I'm looking at used boats and some new ones. I'm leaning toward Moomba for that reason. I also found a Malibu Wakesetter VLX (03 model that was left over) for right at 40G's. I'm looking at the LSV tomorrow.

Bruky · Guest

Try and go new if you can...

As for the boat without ballast, they do have concrete ships.

Steve · Criminal Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 63 City: Denton

If you have some spare time search (google) the web for the guy's pics and story of the Wedge that ripped apart his transom when he hit a log.

EMP912 · Addict Joined: 28 May 2004 Posts: 500 City: Greenback

The Moomba will put out a nice wake with enough weight.
Those and Supras are what I have ridden behind the most the last few years.
The wakeplate on the Moombas is nice but not a necessity. It just is a trim plate (like the tiga taps system) that can help clean up the wake if it is rolling over. It makes a little difference in size when trimmed all the way up.
With a lot of weight with it trimmed all the way down it seems to help it come up on plain.
It is a nice feature.
I to tour skiers choice (in the old factory before they moved to their new plant) and they are made in the same exact place as supras.
The main difference is the luxury in the Supras. As in much better upholstry and carpet.
We did have an issue with tears in the moomba. (2001 Kambera Vdrive)
All around a good boat for the price.

When I got to ride behind Malibus in the past the craftman ship was outstanding for the boats.

In short: Most bang for the buck: Moomba.
Luxury and comfort (probably holds resale and value better): Malibu

If you like your supra now have had a good experience with it I would go back with them. They are very nice as well. I get to ride behind a 2004 SSV gravity games edition now and it is spectacular!!

Both of these boats will put out a good enough wake if weighted properly.

Still not a fan of the wedge Very Happy

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

Beat to death.. but heres the discussion from last year (referenced by Steve).
http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=14349&highlight=wedge

I wonder how Stanton's situation came out. Anyone hear anything?

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

jklein · Posted: Jun 11, 2004 10:30 am Post subject: Can't go wrong... do it

I like the wedge for getting that little extra pop, but once you've got over 1K lbs in the rear of the boat, the wedge doesn't do much. It is very convienient, but it does change the wake shape and the wake does take a bit of getting used to. I've ridden behind BUs, NAUTis, MBSports, and Mastercrafts, and I'll take the BU wake every time.

IMO: Wedge + 700lbs in the rear + 600lbs in the front = killer wake