V Wake recipe?

[NVJAY775]

I'm sure there are some variables, but... If the boats are either ski, or wake boats, how far apart should the boats be and what speed? Just looking for some starting points.

A couple times this year we got lucky and had a couple short sessions. But we didn't know what to really tell the drivers. So they basically did what they thought would work. We totally appreciated the efforts more than words can say, but the set up needs some work.

Thanks fellas!
Brraapp! Splatttt!! LOL!

 

[motoman96]

The closer together they are, the more of a V you will get. Speed depends on the boat an wake it puts out usually. Faster then you'd think tho

 

[eeerieski]

I don't have any experience with v-wakes but I'm gonna say 15-16mph (or just on the verge of not being on plane for the lowest performing boat) and 30ft apart +- 10ft
Watch some videos on youtube, the jetmaniac ones are a good start.

 

[Christianson]

we always run the boats about 15 ft apart at about 15 mph or so... depends on what kind and size boat your running. You will get more white water and big V with the boats closer and slower but a cleaner less white water with them going a bit faster. Depends on what you want to do i suppose.

 

[Matt_E]

It completely depends on the boats. You need to figure that out on site.
For wakeboard boats with decent ballasts (2,000 lbs or more) they need to go at the speed where each boat throws the steepest wake by itself.
Then bring them together. Usually no more than 15ft apart, often 10-12ft. You want a steep and tall v-wake with little whitewash. I find it best when you can see the v-wake ejecting a small stream of water straight up past where the wake ends.

 

[JetManiac]

The variables are endless like someone noted above. Another factor to consider is which way the propellers rotate. Often the wake is better on one side or the other of the boat. So one boat may be better on the left side of the vwake. You can also weight boats with fatsacs or people to change the wakes both from side to side and from front to rear.

Like Matt said, figure out wake of each boat, then bring them together is usually easier.

The closer together the boats are, the more vertical the vwake will be. Farther apart the vwake will get more rampy and better for different tricks.

If boats are close to identical, then you want the boats to be even with each other. If boats are different sizes and types, then you need to experiment with their relative positions. For example, if one boat is larger and has larger wake, then have smaller boats front a little back will sometimes help to even out the wakes.

I like to hit uneven vwakes also. You can then aim just off center a little to the more dominate wake, and it helps with the spin rotation on an underflip.

 

[NVJAY775]

Niiiiiiice. Thanks for all the input. It makes a lot more sense now too. This season ended way too quick for us. And the wakeboarders up here run a very short season. As soon as the water is too cold for board shorts, it's over for them. Sissies!

 

[tipafew]

Last time I was out doing this we had high school kids driving the boats and a variety of ski levels in the riders hitting the wake. I was honestly getting pretty nervous out there. The kids driving the boats spent more time looking behind them than in front of them. I saw several times where somebody was approaching the boats from the front and the drivers were still looking behind them. Lots of potential for bad stuff to happen there.

Make sure the drivers keep their eyes on ALL of the riders and make sure the fuzz aren't out on the lake.

 

[Matt_E]

This should actually be the first thing anyone mentions about proper v-wakes: BE SAFE.
Give yourself at least 100 yards ahead of the boats before you even think about turning around to head for the wake. If you wipe out during the turn (easy to do if you're focusing on the boats instead of the turn), the boat drivers will have a hard time seeing you because they are trimmed up and may not be paying attention to what's in front of the boats. Give yourself way more room than you think you need.
When you approach the wake, focus on your own ski and where it's at. Focusing on the boats can make you dizzy and disoriented. The boats may not be coming at you in a straight line. The distance between them can change very quickly.
Make sure there are no jackasses following the two boats. We had that happen last year. A spectator in another big boat found it fun to watch us and followed way too closely behind the wake.

 

[Christianson]

Safe people you trust with your life are the people you want driving the two boats when your doing this, not a couple of ding dongs. But yeah just takes experimenting really the recipe changes with every boat and how many people and what kind of wake. There's tons of fun to be had with these waves though

 

[O2VW1.8T]

1 boat was not even a wake boarding boat, 1 was a older ski boat with 1 person in it. I think he was goes 20mph or less. Probably the best vwake i have hit. I have hit a few before this and failed hard.

 

[Christianson]

Looking good man!

 

[DK-Freestyle]

Here's a V-Wake video we made a few years back. First time our guys tried/ landed backflips! We were all running super jets with various motors.
The V-wake consisted of 2 wake board boats with a few people in them, going about 10-15mph. The boats were 10ft apart at MOST. It takes a little bit of time to get the wake to a perfect V without the white-wash on the top.

 

[Matt_E]

^^ Pretty much my experience, D.
10ft and fairly slow moving. I just hate suggesting that close of a space to people that have not done it before. Start out further apart to get used to it.

 

[lakeboy183]

 

[raytherace]

Last one is sick!!

 

[NVJAY775]

This thread has turned out friggin bitchin! NICE vids and some very good safety advice and good tips on it all. Yah... Summer really needs to speed up.

Thanks again fellas!

 

[superramjet]

Our boats dont make a big vwake but you can see the speed and distance.

 

[motoman96]

33 feet off a V-wake is just plain STUPID!

 

[Matt_E]

33 feet off a V-wake is just plain STUPID!

And I want to do it. :love: