2005 Outback Slalom Wake

[markcr]

I've been getting my boat dialed in and thought I'd shoot some pictures of the slalom wake. The boat is set up without a tower, 1/2 tank of gas, rear seat in, OJ 4-blade 13 X 13 prop, driver plus skier and observer on board. Pics are at 30, 32 and 34 mph.

outback30mph.jpg
outback32mph.jpg
outback32mph2.JPG
outback34mph.jpg
outback34mph2.JPG

The other mod I did was insert a couple of small stainless steel washers along the rear wake plate mount. The affect of this is canting the plate downward a degree or two. I think this helps lighten the rear of the boat just a bit without affecting the handling.

[Sled491]

Notice how the flare changes. I think this is what you need to experience on the ski to see what the feel is like. By the way how did the can't idea work out, did you notice any difference?

[DOCDRS]

Ok , i see 5 pics but you only have 3 speeds ,were you pwi? the middle one looks the cleanest, but is it rampy or soft ?

[Sled491]

I assumed that the last two were with the extra wedge in the plate. Mark jump in here and help with the suspense

[jmvotto]

each are labeled

1. 30 mph
2. 32 mph
3. 32 mph with cant
4 34 mph
5. 34 mph with cant

[markcr]

Hey guys. All pics are with the cant in the plate. I had two pictures at each speed taken from two different directions. In one direction the sun was reflecting so much on the wake that it made it look like it was really foamy so I took a second shot going in the other direction. Since I could only upload 5 pictures, I put up one at 30, two and 32 and two at 34. I'm hoping to get out and ski this weekend or next and I'll report on the firmness of the ramp. I was just really happy to get the overall shape of the wake down to what you see in the pics. Before canting the plate down, with my 3-bladed prop, the boat threw out a fairly significant wake for slalom skiing. I think I was expecting something a little smaller from the Moomba marketing materials I've read. I put on the 4-bladed OJ prop and canted the plate down a bit and now the wake looks more like I expected it to. When I get time I'll tinker with various degrees of cant on the plate to see how affects the shape.

[Sled491]

So on the canting, did you find any negative side effect, also I'm not sure how long you've had this boat, but did you ever run it or ski it in its stock form?

[markcr]

Hi sled. Yes, we ran it several times in stock form specifically to look at the slalom wake. My wife and I are both avid slalom skiers. Back in 1997 we bought a Ski Nautique right off the showroom floor. When our daughter was born we had to sell the boat. Now she's 7 and we've decided to start skiing again. However, this time around we wanted a more family friendly ride and the closed bow Ski Nautique just wasn't in the picture (practicality wise and price). I've heard a lot of good things about the Outback so we bought one. The first time out, my wife and I were glued to the wake to see what it looked like. I have to say we were not that impressed. So, I started looking into ways to improve it. I think my wake now is a significant improvement over stock. I haven't skied behind the boat yet. Water is still really cold and I've had a slew of issues I've had to deal with - typical used boat maintenance stuff. It always amazes me what sellers consider "excellent condition". The added cant on the wake plate has not created any unusual side effects to the handling. That was a big concern of mine. What I should have done was to take pictures in stages: 3-blade prop, no cant; 3-blade prop, with cant; 4-blade prop, no cant; 4-blade prop, with cant. That would give a much better idea of the affects of the various mods. I'd rather ski, though. LOL!

[Sled491]

OK cool. In case you haven't checked out my profile I am an avid skier myself. I ski just about every day through the summer. I have an 07 Outback and in my group are 3 MC's. To be honest while my wake is not the smallest it's not the biggest, and my boat is definatly the biggest. What I have found is that the wake is soft and has no hard lip on the approach. This is something to consider while looking at the wake. You may not be able to see it but you will definatly feel it.

On the shim, are you worried about extra stress or the fact that the plate will no longer supported wholly by the transom? I just worry, not that I think it will.

[markcr]

Hi sled. Glad to hear you're also an avid skier. We're a dying breed! Yes, I am concerned about the added stress on the wake plate/hull. Haven't got a solution yet but I'm thinking about it. Since it's fairly easy to remove the washers, my next test will be an actual ski trial in which I'll ski the course a few times at 32 mph with the plate canted. Then ski the next day with the plate back to normal. I want to make sure I'm not actually firming the table at the same time I'm flattening it. You know what I'm talking about. You can have a tiny wake but if it is as dense as a sidewalk curb, you're in for trouble. If the cant in the plate turns out to have a positive improvement on both size and softness of the wake, then I'll move forward on figuring out the stress issue - maybe take it to a sheet metal shop and have the specific amount of angle applied via a sheet metal break. That would leave the mounting hole section flush with the bottom of the transom and the remainder canted down.