Pacific size wake behind 1983 SN.

I recently purchased a 1983 (2001) SN. after skiing behind my $700.00 Larson for years. I made the magical jump to a great ski boat and I am afraid to challenge the wake. It is thigh high!! Did the skiers in 1983 really deal with this? I really don't know what to do. Next weekend I want to put the SN. in the garage and pull out the Larson again so I can have fun skiing again. Please I need answers on how to get the wake under control.

jimsport93 wrote: Rusty, something is not right. Did you test drive the boat before you bought it? How was the wake? You skiing at good speeed? Running good RPM's? My first inclination is that the boat may be heavy with waterlogged foam flotation. Which is a common ailment on that era of boat. Got any pics of the boat sitting in the water?

Dito!!
Rusty,
Welcome to CCfan but, you must provide more info. You may have as mentioned. purchased a hull with close to 1000lbs of extra "ballast" in it!!!!

Thank you guys so much for your reply..

P.S. By todays standards, teh 82-89 Ski Nautique does have a big, tall and hard wake. But, it should be nowhere near as bad as you have described. If you Larson is an outboard, it is going to have a smaller wake than any inboard you will buy, period. However, it will also track poorly. BKH

bkhallpass,

     So I have to change the flotation foam??

I had a 1989 2001 that was within a few pounds of advertised weight (no extra weight from wet form) and the ski wake was not good. That is why these boats are so popular with wake boarders. I am a slalom skier and sold the boat to get a 97 SN because I wanted a better ski wake.
What speed are you skiing? These boats have the best wake at 34mph and above. Anything below looks like the pacific. My wife skis at 28mph and the wake was at her knees. Also, the slower you ski the higher the bow rise. What is your skill level? Recreational skiers that cross the wake with a flat ski are punished, if you stay on edge the wake is manageable. If you shorten the rope the wake get a little better as well.
I would check the weight first before assuming a major problem. Outboards have smaller wakes. Look at bass boat trimmed out, hardly any wake at all but not good ski machines because they don't track and the back end can be pulled around.   Bryan

You need to determine what the problem is. I would not go tearing into the floor. Once you know what the problem is, then you can figure out what to do.

Saturate foam/water weight is one potential cause/problem.

You may just be dealing with a normal wake on a 82-89 hull, although given the fuel consumption, I don't think so.

Until we see a picture or some other data, it is hard to know.

BKH

Here are some photo graphic comparisons. The first two pictures of me at about 33, more of a hump than a wake. The second two are probably between 23-25. It looks alot bigger when you are out there too but you should be able to see the difference. Also my floor needs to be replaced so I probably have some extra weight as well. I burn between 2-3gph with stock 351W.

Tom351 wrote: My 86SN wake is workable at 15off at 32-36mph, but 22off puts me right in the roostertail. It is original foam so it is probably a bit heavier than original, but it still seems to ride at the proper attitude. Headcam video of skiing at 15off: Headcam Slalom

Tom,
Nice footage. I feel like you get up a little quicker than I do. Do you give the boat full throttle? What do you weigh if you dont mind me asking. I feel that I drag alot more than you. Maybe its my technique.

Here is my boats wake at 30. Just me and the previous owner in the boat.

YouTube

By comparison, my 82 with nobody in and a full tank of fuel, my platform is about 1-2" out of the water. With 2 adults and 2 kids the top of the platform is just sub water level (maybe 1/4" below)

Hey Skiboy,
Also get a pic of the whole boat including the swim platform with no one in the boat from a couple angles so we can see if the boat is leaning fore/aft or side/side. If possible, load the boat as you use it and take a few pics as well including the platform.