| Wakeboarding has become quite a popular sport | | | | the water when it is in motion. This has been |
| and hobby. It is somewhat a combination of | | | | proven to be a very effective technique in getting |
| water skiing and surfing. This sport is usually done | | | | better waves, but it can also damage the boat's |
| with the wakeboard rider being towed behind a | | | | hull if it is not designed properly. |
| boat. Any boat can be used in wakeboarding, but | | | | Wakeboard boat manufacturers have started to |
| to be able to perform tricks, you will need a | | | | develop advanced hull technologies. Specially |
| specialized wakeboard boat. | | | | designed hulls permit the boat to create the best |
| This type of boat creates the perfect wakes for | | | | waves without any modification. And with only a |
| wakeboarding. These boats have inboard engines | | | | few simple modifications, boarders can now get |
| at the back. The placement of the engine puts | | | | their perfect wave. With good hulls, boarders |
| the center of gravity of the boat at the back. | | | | need only to add some aftermarket ballast and |
| More weight at the back of the boat can make it | | | | other heavy objects to make the boat heavier. |
| create better wakes. | | | | At high speeds, this can produce wakes large |
| These specialized boats feature many | | | | enough for tricks. |
| technologies all aimed to create better wakes. | | | | When buying a used boat, there are some things |
| Some of these technologies are Ballast, Wedge, | | | | that you need to check out. First, you should look |
| and Hull Technologies. Most of the boats | | | | at its hull. If the boat is still out of water, walk |
| manufactured feature automated ballast | | | | around it and inspect if there are signs that the |
| technology. | | | | ship has undergone major repairs. Also check the |
| Boats that use ballast technology have ballast | | | | deck if it has soft spots. If it does, then it might |
| tanks placed just inside the hull. These tanks can | | | | be a sign that the deck is rotting, and should be |
| be filled and emptied with water, controlling the | | | | avoided if possible, unless you want to spend for |
| buoyancy of the boat and affecting the type of | | | | its repair. Also, ask the previous owner the |
| wakes that they produce. This is especially useful | | | | obvious questions such as how old is the boat, is |
| when doing high speed stunts, as the boat might | | | | it stored while not in used, or if it had undergone |
| lift off from the water, leaving the rider being | | | | repairs in the past. And lastly, you should take the |
| towed with unsatisfactory wakes. There are | | | | boat for a test drive. You would know how good |
| switches on the cockpit of the boat, which the | | | | the boat responds if you test it yourself. |
| driver can use to control the ballast tanks. | | | | If you want to start wakeboarding, having the |
| To further enhance the wakes, boat | | | | proper equipment is essential. Your gear must be |
| manufacturers have added wedges and plates | | | | specially made for the task. With a wakeboard |
| underneath the boat. Wedges are drag devices, | | | | boat, you could have the perfect wakes to ride |
| and when used, they can pull the boat lower to | | | | on. |