outback ski wake

[deerfield]

I have the multi-sport wake plate on my 2008 Outback.

MasterMind - Did the multi-sport wake plate come with your boat from the factory? Or did you install? How does it operate? What's good and bad about it? In what situations is it most/least effective? Very curious about adding it to my '07 Outback. Thanks. - Deerfield

[maxpower220]

I have the wakeplate on my 08 Outback. It came factory, but when I was looking at boats, the dealer said that it could be added easily. In slalom, mine works best all the down (when viewed from the back of the boat). The only thing is forgetting after boarding to put it down and try to slalom. It only takes one crossing to notice. It can be changed on the fly.

For wakeboarding, it will shape the wake crest at different points for a given speed. I "may" help the wake get a little larger.

Overall, it's OK. I would not pay a lot of money for it based on my experience. Weight is going to change the wake more than anything for both slalom and boarding.

Mine is hydraulic using a trim tab (Bennetts), but the newer ones are electric trim.
Hope that helps

[deerfield]

max - Yes, your experience helps. Multi-sport trim tab goes to the bottom of the wish list. Thanks! - Deerfield

[MasterMind3002]

My wake plate was a factory option. What's really great about the wake plate is the ability to use it to tune the wake. While weight is certainly the most important factor in the size of the wake, the wake plate can be used to adjust the curl and the shape of the wake. As Max said, it's adjustable on the fly and can take my boat from a non-existent wake to a wake suitable for wake surfing in 10 seconds.

It's also nice on the those rough days. You can move the plate all the way up and the nose rides higher in the water so the boat is taking the waves on the beefier part of the hull. I also use it during our ski shows for pulling pyramids and acts with multiple skiers. Lowering the wake plate forces the nose down and literally makes the boat rise up in the water when power is applied. This has the effect of less boat in the water and puts all the power into forward motion.

Personally, I would never have another boat without one.

[deerfield]

My wake plate was a factory option. What's really great about the wake plate is the ability to use it to tune the wake. While weight is certainly the most important factor in the size of the wake, the wake plate can be used to adjust the curl and the shape of the wake. As Max said, it's adjustable on the fly and can take my boat from a non-existent wake to a wake suitable for wake surfing in 10 seconds.

It's also nice on the those rough days. You can move the plate all the way up and the nose rides higher in the water so the boat is taking the waves on the beefier part of the hull. I also use it during our ski shows for pulling pyramids and acts with multiple skiers. Lowering the wake plate forces the nose down and literally makes the boat rise up in the water when power is applied. This has the effect of less boat in the water and puts all the power into forward motion.

Personally, I would never have another boat without one.

Hmmmm....I may need to reconsider the wake plate and pull it back up on the to-do list. I like the way it's working for you. Thanks.

[maxpower220]

While weight is certainly the most important factor in the size of the wake, the wake plate can be used to adjust the curl and the shape of the wake. As Max said, it's adjustable on the fly and can take my boat from a non-existent wake to a wake suitable for wake surfing in 10 seconds.

It's also nice on the those rough days. You can move the plate all the way up and the nose rides higher in the water so the boat is taking the waves on the beefier part of the hull. I also use it during our ski shows for pulling pyramids and acts with multiple skiers. Lowering the wake plate forces the nose down and literally makes the boat rise up in the water when power is applied. This has the effect of less boat in the water and puts all the power into forward motion.

Personally, I would never have another boat without one.

Please explain a little better. The wake plate can and does tune the wake. However, it DOES NOT create a wake that you can surf on. You must have weight in the boat (and a lot in an Outback) to get a surf wake. Let me know if your plate is creating a surf wake without weight in the boat, I'd like to know what I'm doing wrong.

[usaski1]

Also, as far as I know, adding an adjustable plate (+$800) does not make a flatter slalom wake. the OB comes factory with a flat plate, it is not meant to be modified, and any modification you do will most likely be a detriment to the slalom wake.

[Mikey]

I agrre with Max in the fact the wakeplate will not make enough wake on its own to surf. It takes a lot more weight as stated,but does help to shape the wake once the boat is weighted.
I agree is there something we are missing?

Typically the only time i use the wakeplate is to add wake for wakeboarding,to shape surf wake or to intentionally make boat ride high in rough water.... maybe? As for skiing leave in neutral ...flat for best ski wake.

You guys that do not have a wakeplate may not really be missing out unless other wakesports are in the equation...

[MasterMind3002]

I agrre with Max in the fact the wakeplate will not make enough wake on its own to surf. It takes a lot more weight as stated,but does help to shape the wake once the boat is weighted.
I agree is there something we are missing?

Typically the only time i use the wakeplate is to add wake for wakeboarding,to shape surf wake or to intentionally make boat ride high in rough water.... maybe? As for skiing leave in neutral ...flat for best ski wake.

You guys that do not have a wakeplate may not really be missing out unless other wakesports are in the equation...

It's true that you have to add weight to surf. My son tells me that they often ignore the ballast and just move everyone to the back of the boat. He usually surfs with a small group of his buddies (4 or 5 teenagers). None of them weigh more than 160 lbs. I usually fill the ballast and move my fat friends to one side of the boat......lol. But make no mistake, the wake plate definately effects the shape and hardness of the wake.

I disagree with Mikey on the wake plate position for skiing. Dropping the plate to its lowest position has the effect of dropping the bow and raising the entire boat out of the water creating a much smaller slalom wake. At least on my boat it does. And as i mentioned before, its great when you're tugging heavy loads as it forces the boat up and gives you more forward push.

[Mikey]

I think I was misunderstood. I have my plate down,to make boat run flat ,while skiing,which would actually be the same as a solid mounted plate as some of the boats have that do not have the adjustable plate.. I raise it to make bow ride high to increase the size of the wake,and shape when surfing....