Rate the wake

The only ski boat I've ever been on is my own '92 SNOB. Therefore, I have nothing to compare to. I use the boat as a true crossover. 50-50 ski and wakeboard. Pictured below are a few wakes at 25mph, no one onboard other than a lightweight spotter and me...the driver. No ballist either. The wake flattens out a bit when we ski (which is usually @ around 30-34mph). I'm wondering what you wakeboarders think of this wake, and whether or not I should consider weighting the boat down when the kids get a little older....
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/ActonMaine/DSCN1787.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/ActonMaine/DSCN1784.jpg

Std rope is about 70-80 feet, going 20-22 mph.

Its a 65' rope. Pictured is my 14 yr old. He may be looking for a steeper wake soon. I think the wake size fits well for my 8 yr old. Dont want it to steep yet for him. Does anyone have any tips on ballist systems for 1990ish SN's?

We'll give 45' a whirl. For some reason, I thought a longer rope was better for boarding....

92,

It's really a matter of working with what you've got. 10 years ago, before wake specific boats, guys were doing flips off slalom boat wakes, no problem. Boarders would go 18-20mph, and looked for wakes that "popped" them into the air.

Now days, pro level boarders are using towers, travelling 25-26mph, riding on 85 foot lines, etc. At that level, the wake has become more of a moving "ski jump" than a wake providing pop. They want to go as high, far, and fast as possible.

I see two common problems 1) people who can barely wakeboard complaining about the wake because it isn't big enough and 2) people who can barely wakeboard that try to go too high, too far, and too fast. It's more about ego than capability.   

Yes, some of these kids have mad skills, amazes me to watch them. But for most people, you can throw up an acceptable wake on most any competition inboard.

I spent quite a bit of time wakeboarding behind a 90 Nautique (same hull as yours) and a 98 Nautique. If we didn't have the boat weighted with ballast, we typically rode a 50 or 55' line, and travelled 18-10 mph. If you have a high pole it's great because folks can sit in the back seat. Throw three fat friends in back, and the wake will get taller. If we didn't have a ballast, we sometimes put the large cooler (full of beers of course) behind the motor box, again improved the wake size a bit. I had buddies who could do back rolls, tantrums, raleys, etc.

I'd say slow the boat down a bit, use a little shorter rope, maybe add a ballast bag or two, and if the kid gets "too good" break out 60 large, buy a wakeboard boat and enjoy the show BKH

Look at the wake and more particularily where the board crosses the wake and fine tune the rope length and speed from there. I would shoot for just over twenty mph and then a rope length that ends up about 3-5 feet in front of where the wake starts to wash out. Hes jumping high enough that he aught to have the satisfaction of going wake to wake, if you have to shorten the rope beyond what is recommended above do so and lenghthen it everytime he starts landing repeatedly out into the flats. A 440lb Launch Pad in front of the back seat wouldn't hurt either.

Straight lines also help keep the wake consistent, in the photo the boat appears to be running a long arcing path, whenever possible run straight lines with quick somewhat sharp turns back to a straight line when necessary (to whatever degree your skier can handle).

My lake is a bit tight (220 acres) so we ski up and back down the same line, on the turnaround we run a light bulb or teardrop pattern, turn right slightly then back left until you are back to your previous line.

I agree with the slower speed and shorter rope...I would say 18 mph for now up to 20 and he should spot his landing in the flats! The short line also makes the cut back to the wake on the heal side jumps...faster.
One of my sons is about the same size as your boy...he rides at 20 mph and gets enough air to do inverts...with the shorter line he lands well into the flats...much softer there!Any faster and he has a hard time being in control.
We use about 500lbs on the sides too.

I will get you a pic now that my boat is running, your wake seriously is pretty small. No offense, I will totally take a slalom pull off you anytime you offer. Very pretty boat though, if the kid is taking it seriously get the launch pad sacs (440 a side, use one in the back to start) and a pump you will have a big enough wake for anything he needs to do.

when pullin a wakboarder you want a FAT wake pull him at 19 or 20 MAX.

05 210,
Where on Mousam are you? I'm about 3 miles off Rt 109 on the south shore of Great East.

    Hey Mike, swung by your place Friday at dusk. Didnt see any activity. First time I have been out in a while. Boat still looked sweet at the dock!! BTW, who took my parking spot???


                                 Jeff...

    Sounds good to me.... Hes should see this post. I need a vacation!!!


                                       Jeff...

    You need to get the "NO PARKING CCs ONLY, ALL OTHERS WILL BE TOWED" sign usually on ebay to put on your dock. I can let ya borrow mine even.

                                  Jeff...

you will find that going slower (18-20) to get comfortable with jumping is good, but once you want to do moves (inverts) a higher speed makes things quite a bit easier, it just seems much more fluid at that speed. rope lenght is typically 65-70. you want to be hitting the wake just short of where it curls over. I wouldn't worry about the wake distance, you always get more props for takin moves out into the flats.