All about the Ballast - Everything you need to know about weighting your wakeboat

Ballast

Ballast is the foundation to a great wave. Fundamentally, creating a wave is performed by displacing water. The more water displaced the larger the wake. Items such as Wake Shapers can minimize the amount of ballast necessary, but ballast and weighted bags cannot be overlooked.

Keep in mind that size isn't everything (giggle), the shape, length and push provided from the wave is just as important.

Listing:
If you wakesurfed in the 90's and early 2000's, you likely know a few things about listing (leaning) a boat to create a wave. With today's advancements in technology and surf systems, both factory installed and aftermarket, listing your boat is a thing of the past like skurfers and wakeboard pylons. 

Fundamentals:
Supplemental ballast such as FatSac and Wake Bags can be added to your boat for additional weight. Ballasts can be conveniently pumped in and out, while Wake Bags require manual lifting, but can be hidden easily under seats and within smaller compartments to maximize weight without sacrificing floor space.

Balance:
Creating the perfect wave for your boat and riding preference takes some time. Due to the variety of boat hulls and riding styles, there's no simple calculation to create your ideal wake. You'll dial in your perfect wave over time, but to start, NautiCurl recommends an even 50%-50% balance from starboard to port side and a 60%-40% ratio rear to front. From here you can increase the height of the wave by adding more ballast to the rear, and lengthen your wave by adding more ballast to the front. Keep in mind that people and cargo is ballast too, you can quickly shuffle around your crew to dial in your wake.

Check out NautiCurl's lineup of FatSac Ballasts. Bags can be selected and tailored to your boat type and even come in a variety of colors. 

Now available in Blue, Red, White, Black, White and Camo!

NautiCurl.com


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