Wakeboarding is fun; we all know it. Many even fall in love with this thrilling and exciting sport. It can get your adrenaline pumping, give you opportunities to explore your creativity and athleticism, and, best of all, it can be enjoyed with family and friends.
When you’ve just started the sport, renting a boat or joining others is okay. But buying a wakeboarding boat is the best option if you’re really into it.
But choosing your boat, especially your first one is not a simple matter: wakeboarding boats are not cheap,they are a long-term commitment, and different boats have different features.
Because buying a wakeboarding boat can be difficult, we’ve prepared a guide to help you buy your first. Here are the five questions you need to answer before you buy your wake boat.
- How Many Passengers Will There Be?
How many people do you need to fit in your wakeboarding boat? Are there ten? Twelve? Or more? Will you need your wakeboarding boat primarily for a weekend adventure on the water, or for wakeboarding with your family, or partying with friends?
Different wakeboarding boats address different needs. While there are some similarities between wake boats, including an inboard engine and a deep v hull, the size, the seats, and the boat’s power all differ from boat to boat.
Some can only support up to seven people, but others are bigger, longer, and able to support up to 18 people, like the Supra SE boat. The Supra SE is the largest boat from Supra, at about 24.5 feet, but that size may be overkill for some riders.
- How Do You Store The Wakeboarding Boat?
Next, you need to consider where and how you will store your wakeboarding boat. This is often overlooked for new wakeboarding boat buyers.
A smaller boat, such as the Supra SR, which has a smaller capacity, will also be shorter. While a bigger one, like the SE, will be longer.
Another dimension to consider is height. While the body of the wakeboarding boat is short, there will be a tower’s height that you need to take into account. That’s why it’s best to choose a boat with a foldable tower system, such as FXONE Power Tower from Supra. With this feature, the tower can be folded down automatically and save some space in your garage.
- What Kind Of Ballast System Do You Need?
The third one to consider is the ballast system, machinery used for leveling and shifting loads on a barge while loading heavy components. Different ballast systems will help your boat create a different wake. That’s why it’s best to choose one that ideally fits the type of wake you need.
You can commonly find two ballast systems on every boat: built-in and add-on.
Built-In Ballast System
Most of the newest models of wakeboarding boats nowadays already use this kind of ballast system. It’s convenient, time-saving, and comfortable for the passengers because it’s usually hidden under the seat.
Add-On Ballast Bag
The other type of ballast system is an add-on ballast bag. While most boats already have a built-in ballast system, an add-on ballast bag can also help create larger wakes. However, most people dislike using this one because it’s annoying and inconvenient.
- Do You Need A Wake Enhancement System?
With the advancement of technology on the wakeboarding boat, this feature will give you comfort if you’re not an expert in driving or customizing your boat. A wake enhancement system is a built-in software and hardware on your boat that will enable you to create the kind of wake you want, ideally without much effort.
This wake enhancement system usually consists of an adjustable wake plate, hull position, and ballast system. By choosing the preset you need on the control screen on your boat, you will be able to set up and adjust the feature in your boat to make a wake that fits the level of your rider.
An example of this wake enhancement system is the Autowake System from Supra. Using this system, you can make a preset and choose the type of wake you need by pressing a single button on your screen. The Autowake system will then adjust the wake plate and maintain the hull position to create a constant wake as you need.
- Where Will You Use Your Wakeboarding Boat?
The last thing you need to consider is where you will use your wakeboarding boat. Is it still and calm water? Or will you be wakeboarding on rough water? This is important because some boats are not meant to be driven on rough water because they won’t be able to create the kind of wake you need.
However, if you need a boat that can serve rough and calm water, the Supra SR is one of your best options. This wakeboarding boat has 20ft in length and can produce great wakes due to its deep hull design and ability to displace a ton of water.
Also, with the Autowake System from Supra, the boat can adjust the ballast and the hull position to make the boat perfectly aligned with the pitch and roll presets you choose, producing the perfect wake on rough water.
