Ballast

[jono10]

Hi everyone.  I have a 88 advance witch is mainly used for wakeboarding.  I am happy so far with the wake, only at slower speeds it tends to stick its nose in the air and the wife has trouble seeing over the dash.  Is there a way to rectify this or do I need to run some form of ballast in the front?  And if so how much can I use?  Kind regards Jono.

[Daximus]

Are you running any ballast now? If yes, where?

What speed are we having this issue at?

I haven't had too much of an issue with this at 20 mph plus speeds. Under 20 and mine noses up a little. Most people wakeboard between 20 and 25 mph (22.5 seems average), sometimes 18 if practicing surface tricks.

If you want to add a little ballast to the front that might help, but don't get crazy. Too much ballast in front and the propensity to wash the boat every time a duck roller comes your way increases. Most people add ballast at a 40% front, 60% rear ratio. Too much in the front and the handling get's bad and the wake gets lower, too much in the rear and the wake gets narrow and less defined...although it does get higher. This is pretty much universal advice for any ski boat turned wakeboard tow boat. I haven't had enough time with the American Skier to be specific.

Short answer, go faster or get a phone book for the wifey to sit on. 

[Thelegend]

When I wakeboard I put 2 350lb. Sacks on both sides of the engine it seems to work best. Weighs the boat down as a whole to keep it nice and rampy.

[jono10]

 :)Thank you any advice is greatly appreciated.

[bmock50]

Could you post a picture of your 350lb bags and the wake it produces?

[Thelegend]

Yea I will next time I fill them. I rarely wakeboard though so I could be awhile.

[11.50fox]

I run side sacks 550 each of the motor box touching the back if the captains chair and the side od the lookout chair. works perfect

[jrpontiac]

With the two 550's are you able to surf? 

[bmock50]

I hope I'm wrong, but I kinda doubt it. I ride behind an older super air a lot and to have a decent sized sweet spot we need the stock tanks, all sacks, and 8-10 people.

[11.50fox]

I never tried behind my boat to surf. I think if you were to take one and put it behind the driver chair and one where the back seat is and make both sacks touch you could. seen a guy with a ski supreme surfing and I think he was using something like what I use.

[bmock50]

I'll see if I can't try something this weekend. I threw two 800s next to the motor but didn't fill them all the way and she threw a decent wake.

[Daximus]

I don't know how you couldn't get a decent wake out of that. I set the perfect pass at 12mph this weekend with about 600 lbs of dude in the back and the wake was huge.

[bmock50]

12 and 22 are a little different though. And I'm used to boarding behind a slammed a22 haha

[Daximus]

12 and 22 are a little different though. And I'm used to boarding behind a slammed a22 haha

Agreed, I thought we were talking about surfing/wakeskating. At 20 mph the wake was nice, but not insane or anything.