My daughter started wakeboarding a couple of weeks ago and I looking for some help getting my wake dialed in. The starboard side is ok but the port is terrible. I realize the best solution is to speed up but since she is just learning that's really not an option. Just looking to optimize as best as I can. The pic below is a t 18mph, no ballast, taps 2. Suggestions?
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OK.....Z3 slow speed wake. Bottom line: 19mph and below you are only getting one side clean at a time. Just the nature of the hull and why I think that Tige NEEDS to flatten out the deadrise on the Z3.
You can clean up a side by either turning slightly into that side and/or shifting weight to that side. 250 pounders roll the boat on their own enough to get a good wake on whatever side they are on. 105 pounders...not so much.
Here is what I do with beginner wakeboarders. Accept the fact you are getting only one clean side at a time. 16 MPH is plenty. Taps at 3. Light as boat as possible. Turn into them a little to clean up their wake. Sometimes I just bias the heelside wake so I don't have to worry about it. Once they start jumping a little, shorten that rope up. I take 2 full wingspans of rope (~10-12 feet) in. That will let them jump the wake a lot easier. As they progress...slowly increase line length and boat speed. Do this slowly though as most kids jump the wake a couple times at short/slow and all of a sudden thing they are Parks. I would say 1/1000 people who wakeboard need 24mph and an 80 foot line. Most people just want to get up, cruise around and jump. 16MPH with a short line will allow that and reduce injury a ton.....and is a ton fun actually. Put her about 5-6 feet back from the rooster. This also works for your middle age buddies who are dying to clear the wake but scare you every time. I have a buddy that I shortened the line on 10 feet and dropped from 21mph to 19mph and all of a sudden he is clearing the wake with ease and not about to die every time he rides. He come in all smiles instead of dazed and confused.
Just progress slowly with wakeboarding and don't try to get to 22mph anytime soon. There is a reason surfing took over...it's because people insist on wakeboarding fast and doing things they are not ready to do. Which ends up in pain and injuries.
Take it slow, shorten the line, turn into the rider a little, have a designated heavy guy move left and right, occasionally bias one side over the other. -
Also...the reason your starboard side is better than the port side is that the Z3 naturally tilts starboard due to prop rotation and a tippy surf centric hull. Look at your tilt-o-meter and you will see you are a degree or two listed. I typically put 150 lbs of weight on the port side to counteract this.
Z3 is a great boat. Has some quirks for sure but is a ton of fun and pretty versatile.Comment
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Thanks Bakes. I have was hoping you would weigh in. Great info. Thank you.Comment
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We move weight bags around to dial in the wake. Add weight to the washed out side. Or move a person if needed. In the Z3 I have been in it is just as boatwakes says. Personally I hate the fact that with the slow speed the wake is not as clean as I would like and at my age 24 is too fast. That is why I no longer ski at 33mph or even 28. We are all about safety and fun. And when someone gets hurt it is no fun.Wake Up or Stay On Shore!Comment
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Noticed as well if you get weight just right with z3 and z1 that rider will clean up wake depending on side ie as rider transfers side to side they will roll boat over and clean up face as they set up to outside. they just won't have a super clean transition on the other side but usually beginners aren't nailing that sweet spot anyways. Just my .02Comment
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Typical low speed, zero ballast wake. This is 17MPH. About 40-45 foot line.
https://vimeo.com/226394337Comment
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