Wkeboard Ballast

I have an 82 SN 2001 and im new to the wakeboarding scene and have a couple questions for you guys.First im curious about your ballast setup. How much weight do you use and where do you locate it for the best wake? im looking to buy fatsacs soon but need to know the best setup for the money.

and my second question is about tricks. Does having an extended pylon instead of a tower limit my ability to get the air needed for tricks? currently i am using zero ballast and can easy go wake to wake, but im not getting the huge pop im looking for. Im guessing ballast would change the wave to give me the pop needed to be able to do more elaborate tricks?

I have 2 540's. Depending on what I'm looking for and how many people are in the boat I use either one in the back (between engine and backseat) or both on either side of the engine.

IAughtNaut wrote: A big wake isn't what gives you pop and elevation, its technique.

Agreed, but I disagree with your second statement that you don't need a big wake for big tricks. There's nothing big happening behind a 2001 hull with a stock wake.

1 big one (600lbs) in the back and 2 side-sacs, one on each side of the engine

MI-nick wrote:    slow down (21/22 MPH) and shorten the rope a bit (65' or even 60').

Apologies for the slight threadjack...you say slow down to 21 or 22, what speed do you usually ride? I try to stay around 18 or 19, as anything above 20 makes my board skim on me. Plus I like the shape of the wake better. I too take about 15' or even 20' off. Whenever I teach new people, I usually put them between 16 and 17 and gradually work up to those last couple mph. What speed is your comfort zone?

Please don't misconstrue this as an admonition or criticism in any way, just curious for perspective.

IAughtNaut wrote: MI-nick wrote:    slow down (21/22 MPH) and shorten the rope a bit (65' or even 60'). Apologies for the slight threadjack...you say slow down to 21 or 22, what speed do you usually ride? I try to stay around 18 or 19, as anything above 20 makes my board skim on me. Plus I like the shape of the wake better. I too take about 15' or even 20' off. Whenever I teach new people, I usually put them between 16 and 17 and gradually work up to those last couple mph. What speed is your comfort zone? Please don't misconstrue this as an admonition or criticism in any way, just curious for perspective.

usually 23MPH and 70'.
"slow down" should have been "try 21/22".
ideal speed depends on weight and rope length...shorter rope = slower speed...more weight = a little faster...board size depends on your own weight and if your board is too short it will require you to go faster...

I like 65' of rope and 23mph. I'm 225-230lbs and either on a 145 or 146cm board.

I like to cut pretty hard so at my wieght and riding style 23mph works well for "me".    

Surprised at how much weight some of you guys are running in the back. On our boat ('84 2001), the main complaint is that the wake is too steep. We usually ride with 3-4 people on the boat, and a 350lb sac on either side of the motorbox. It seems like the more weight in the back, the steeper the transition gets. We usually ride at 21-22mph and 65' of line. I just picked up another 300lb sac and am going to try running that up in front of the observer's seat. My understanding is, weight in the back = steeper wake. Weight up front = smoother transition. Of course, you have to watch the submarining with weight up front!