Learn what is a wake boat and how to choose the right one for your waterskiing.
Boats called “wake” and “ski” have obvious names that indicate what they are for. The question of how these two boats differ from one another apart from their intended use is what many find confusing.
Wakeboarders can jump the waves by using wake boats, which create a fairly substantial, well-shaped wake as they move forward. These vessels have a deeper V-shaped hull.
A wake boat purchase can be a significant decision, and for many people, it also represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream. It can be difficult to choose from the many options available and find the ideal boat.
Keep these essential suggestions in mind when looking for a wake boat to make sure you get the one that’s best for you. Please continue reading to learn more.
What is a Wake Boat?
But how should one proceed if one wants to create some truly enormous wakes? A brief history lesson will be necessary again. A wake boat didn’t exist when wakeboarding was still in its infancy.
As an alternative, people would jam weights into the boat’s aft end. Businesses started selling ballast bags that could hold hundreds of gallons to weigh down the boat, which pushed the aft end deeper into the water and increased the amount of those delicious wakes.
As wakeboarding becomes the most well-liked water sport, the popularity of V-Drive inboard boats has soared. Ballast bags are no longer required to be purchased because manufacturers have also jumped on board.
Many different ways to add weight are available, and the vast majority of wake boats now come equipped with built-in ballast systems. Wakeboarding’s popularity means that, even if you’re looking for something aftermarket, you’ll pay a premium for that v-drive watercraft. So be prepared.
Can You Ski Behind a Wake Boat?
Let’s get right to the point: yes, you can absolutely ski behind a wake boat! Exist any rules that indicate the opposite? Anyone who enjoys water sports will readily admit that they have at least occasionally engaged in skiing behind wake boats, so the answer is no, there aren’t any.
However, a boat with a prominent “ski boat” name must unquestionably offer the best skiing experience, right?
Having said that, wake boats do have advantages. Many skiers think the added passenger room provided by wider wake boats makes up for the inconvenience of the large wakes they generate.
Therefore, go ahead if you want to experience skiing behind a wake boat.
Actually, wake boats are capable of giving water athletes a pretty good skiing experience if one dumps the ballasts and extra weight on the boat. To lessen the weight of the boat at the rear, think about moving passengers to the bow.
Some Safety for Water Sports
All skiers and wakeboarders out there should wear helmets, first and foremost. Many of us may not be aware of how severely hard water can affect athletes. As a result, for water sports, helmets are just as important as life jackets.
The second piece of advice is to stay away from propellers. The last piece of advice would be for boat drivers to always carry a marine air horn with them while participating in sports so that they can warn others in case of any drowning incidents.
How Much Do Wake Boats Cost?
According to Discover Boating, a wake or ski boat typically costs around $150,00 to own. More than $200,000 can be spent on high-end wake and ski boat brands.
Even so, there are plenty of high-quality, reasonably priced wake boats and ski boats in the $50,000–$70,000 range on the market.
You should set aside a fund of between $1000 and $2500 for winterizing, preparing for the spring, and maintaining your ski/wake boat. Additionally, changing your boat’s oil every 50 to 200 hours is advised.
What to Look for When Buying a Wake Boat?
Your search can really get going once you have a clear idea of how you want to use the boat and what you will need it to do. A boat with a flatter, more conventional hull is probably what you want if you like to waterski, tube, and kneeboard.
Additionally, you would probably prefer a boat that is lighter but still has some internal ballast available. If wakeboarding or wake surfing is more your style, internal ballast and hull design should be your main concerns.
Internal Ballast
The boat’s ability to displace water accounts for the size and strength of your wake or wave. Finding a boat with a lot of internal ballast will help you enjoy wakeboarding or wake surfing to the fullest because it will force the hull deeper into the water, producing waves and wakes that are larger or longer.
Additionally, you want to look for a Deep-V hull that will ride deeper in the water than flat or round ski hulls; this creates a more natural push and gives you a fully surfable wave rather than having a single sweet spot just off the back of the swim step.
Other than total weight, there are a few other factors to take into account when it comes to the ballast. The location of the ballast is the first step. The boat will have a lot of bow rise (nose up in the air) if the ballast is all placed in the back, which will increase fuel consumption and make it difficult for the driver to see.
Spread evenly throughout the boat, with a little extra in the back, should be the ballast. Ballast fill times can also be a big concern because the waiting time could be better used for riding and having fun.
Hull Design
A Deep-V hull has a few extra benefits. For one, it will provide you with a smoother ride in choppy water because it cuts through waves rather than bouncing over top of them like flat or rounded ski hulls do. Because it cuts through the water rather than pushing against it, it also offers better fuel efficiency.
Consider the hull construction, engine brand, and warranty if you intend to keep your boat for a while. The strongest and longest-lasting hulls are usually those with unibody vacuum-infused construction.
Your choice of the engine may be influenced by the size of your boat in order to improve torque and fuel efficiency. While the duration of warranties can vary, new Supreme Boats come with a lifetime limited hull warranty and a five-year PCM Engines engine warranty.
Conclusion: Safety for Wake Boats
Although wearing a life jacket is a given, you might also want to think about donning a helmet. When you’re moving at unnaturally high speeds, the water can hit you quite hard.
It will be appreciated by whoever is taking you out on your demo if you arrive prepared with items that you want to see, learn about, and ultimately compare. It should be the same when purchasing a boat as it would be when purchasing a car.
