TOP 5 + Things to Look for in a Wakesurfing/Wakeboarding Boat.
TOP 5 + Things to Look for in a Wakesurfing/Wakeboarding Boat.
Today’s modern water sports boats are wake-making machines, and they come equipped with more bells and whistles and technology than ever before. If you’re new to wakeboarding and wakesurfing then this is the list for you. There are a few things to consider before purchasing your Wakesurfing/Wakeboarding boat especially if you’re looking at buying a used boat. This list should help you get a better idea what to look for and why it’s important.
Engine
Position
For the best wakesurfing experience we recommend you find a V-Drive. The engine is placed at the back of the boat putting more weight at the back that helps to create a better wave and wake for your riders. Water displacement is key when wakesurfing. Engine sizes vary and depending on how many people you’ll have on your boat and how heavy you weigh it down for wakesurfing will depend on the size you’ll need.
Power
Different engine sizes are good for different types of boaters. It's not always “bigger is better.” When looking at your next boat you should first consider the activities you plan to do the most. Does that activity require excess power? If not, having a smaller engine might actually be a benefit to your overall experience. The benefit may be a smaller fuel bill throughout the year.
On the other hand, if you are a die-hard and want to sac out your boat to the rub rail for maximum surf swell, you’ll need that upgraded engine. Go big or go home is the motto for you if this is the type of boater you’re.
For the most part, most boaters will fit somewhere in the middle of the options available. Not the smallest, but not the biggest, that middle ground is the right fit for the majority of people out there.
Ballast
For the BEST surf wave or wakeboarding wake you’ll want more weight in the boat. Ballast is a system of pumping water into tanks that are installed inside your boat. The water that is pumped into those tanks adds to the overall weight of the boat. This allows the boat to act heavier as it drives down the lake. This weight helps create a larger wake or wave. Internal subfloor ballast is ideal to have and something you should look for if you want to wakesurf or wakeboard. Typically these systems can be filled with a push of a button. If you want to go further and really tune in that wake, you’ll want to add more weight on top of the internal systems using fat sacks, lead weights, or all your friends. Most of these options can be installed after the fact in your boat if they don’t already have them.
Tab system
To help with optimize your boat for a better wakesurf wave, a tab/brake system is something to look for. Each manufacturer has their own system, and there are aftermarket systems also available. The tab will deploy, pushing the opposite side of the boat into the water, and overall causing the wave itself to widen and clean up. If the boat doesn’t have a Surf System one you can purchase an accessory that will stick to the side of your boat that will have a similar effect. Just remember to use the tab system or accessory fin on the opposite side of where you’re surfing.
Tech
There are a few things you should be looking for like GPS guided “cruise control” like perfect pass stargazer. If you’re looking at a used boat that doesn’t have this, it can be installed and is definitely something you’ll probably want to do. With the surf systems of today's boats the manufactures have made things easy to adjust with a touch of a button. You can even switch sides of the wave with a push of the button. While convenient, not having all the upgrades will not prevent you from having a good experience in your boat. They just make life simpler.
Tower
Having a tower on your boat is a MUST. If you have height concerns for you storage area, most towers can fold down to allow the boat to fit under lower garage heights. Some towers are assisted, and others are manual. Assisted version can be fully automated or have a shock assist that makes the tower easier to pull down if you’re doing it by yourself. Also look at the racks on the tower and make sure they’re big enough to hold your Wakesurfing/Wakeboarding boards.
Sound System
While it’s not mandatory to have a great sound system it just adds to the experience. There is nothing like riding the waves while jamming out to your favorite tunes. You can add speakers to your tower and include a subwoofer and a few other speakers throughout the boat. It’s worth the cost and adds to the fun. A lot of systems will connect to your phone via Bluetooth.
There are some other things to consider like seating layouts and the size of the boat but those are mainly for preference and depends on how many people you want to bring with you. There are many brands of watersports boats (wakesurfing, wakeboarding, waterski boats). If you found value in this post and/or if you have any questions please reach out and let us help you find your next new or used boat in Phoenix!