Wake Differences

[Lawdog]

I've been POSSIBLY thinking about downgrading from my XLV. Although I LOVE my boat, the wake doesn't seem to be very kid friendly. In order to get a clean wake on both sides you have to run around 22.5 mph which is really fast for my 8 year old. That's with no ballast. She typically likes to ride no faster than 14 or 15 mph. Just seeking some input from those that own the Outback V and LSV. Do the wakes clean up with the smaller boats and lower mph?

[mk_deuce]

my 2007 lsv wouldnt even think of cleaning up going that slow.

[Razzman]

Without ballast my '07 LSV doesn't cleanup until around 21+. My grandson rode at around 17 until I got him a new board and puled him at 21, now it's all he'll ride at.

[deafgoose]

With no ballast, I can get a clean wake at 18mph. That is the speed my gf likes to wakeskate at.

[kaneboats]

16-- frothy 17-- pretty clean w/ no ballast.

[KSmith]

I'll check mine NG OBV tonight when we go out. I can get a beautiful clean rampy wake at 18 and higher with or without ballast, not so sure about 14-15 that is right between where we surf and and wakeboard (surf usually around 9-11 and wakeboard around 18-22). I'll give it a shot and see what we end up with. If I remember I'll toss in a camera and get some snaps at different speeds.

[you da man]

I know the LSV is money 18mph or higher for a clean wake. I'd suspect the Outback V maybe the same or 17mph. 14-15mph is pretty slow and asking a lot out of a V-drive boat for a clean, washfree wake. Might just get an LSV and get her a 45-50' line. At those short lengths you just have to worry about the rooster tail on the prop wash

[kaneboats]

This pic shows the LSV at 18 with no ballast. I pull the smaller kids at about 16.5 but couldn't find a pic that showed the wake.

[mmobius2001]

best i've found when the girls ride, i fill the front ballast only, wake plate at 1/4 way up and ride about 19-20mph, clean and looks pretty good.

[kaneboats]

Sorry-- forgot to mention-- I think the wakeplate was about a third of the way up in the pic. I'll also say that below about 19 or so you have to distribute your passengers pretty evenly to keep both sides clean.