what really is the difference about a i\o to a direct drive

[hyperlite4285]

i have a 19" chaparral that throws a pretty nice wake but all you see on the videos are direct drives. we bought the boat last summer and i was going to save up and get a new boat for next summer, but last year i waited a liitle to long to winterize it and the motor busted so i had to put a new motor in it. i guess i am just curious about what the difference is in between the wake size and the pull of a tower. i put a 5 1/2" pylon on my boat and it does pretty good i guess? i was just wondering how much of a difference a real wakeboard boat is for the rider