SAN 210 Wake at Slower Speeds

[burbie]

I currently own a 2002 Air Nautique that was originally purchased for both slalom and wakeboarding duty. Now that most of our time is spent wakeboarding and becoming fairly serious, its time to switch to a boat with a much larger and aggressive wake. I'll be checking out the 210, 211 & 220. My wife and kids ride anywhere between 14 and 18 mph. I've heard that the slowest the 210 will throw a clean wake is 20 mph. What's the slowest you can go and still have a decent shaped wake & under what conditions (i.e. ballast empty/full, rope length, etc.)? I'd love to hear from those with experience. If you have pictures, I'd love to see them.

Thanks!!!

[bkhallpass]

My 210 will put up a clean wake at 19.3 with no ballast. If the
conditions are pristine, I might get it down to 18.5, no ballast
and still have a clean wake.

You didn't ask for it, but I'll give you my 2cents. If your kids or
your wife are still riding at 14 mph, you are not ready for a new boat.
I'd give it another season until they are more comfortable at
a little higher speeds.

BKH

[Mikeski]

Even with a small crew and tanks empty the 211 wake doesn't really clean up/shape up until 21mph. Agree with BKH about the speed.

[Sbt3]

I would also say that if they are riding that slow they are probably not ready to be hitting the wake, so it wouldn't really matter how clean it is. If they are able to jump it and even go w2w then they should be riding faster. I like the wake on mine at about 24-25mph. I do tow my nieces and go slower but they are just learning and aren't hitting the wake yet anyway. when they are ready to jump it they will be going faster.

[burbie]

Amending my original posting for added clarification

Great feedback. I completely agree that the wake on my current boat is perfect for my wife and kids at the speeds and level they are at. I'm riding at 24mph and looking for a more aggressive wake for myself, but want to make sure I don't introduce a wake that will be too difficult for those riding at the slower speeds.

[gotpwr]

RE: Amending my original posting for added clarification

Just load your current boat up with ballast when you ride. At the minimum you should have a sack in the rear locker and in the floor locker. That combined with the stock ballast should give you approximately 1400lbs and a pretty aggressive wake. Drain it for the rest of the family and you have the best of both worlds.

[BozBoarder]

RE: Amending my original posting for added clarification

I board my wife at 16mph and with stock rear ballasts full. I just change the rope length to get her in the part of the wake that isn't washing out and it seems to work great. She is still a beginner and crosses the wake without any problems. Good luck!

[patoloco]

RE: Amending my original posting for added clarification

Agreed about loading up the boat. I've boarded behind a SAN will full factory ballast and it is very similar in size and shape to my air nautique with rear factory ballast filled + ~450lb fat sack in trunk and about 300lb or so of people or fat sack in the bow or locker.

I had 1 sack + factory ballast + 5 guys in the boat the other week and took my normal aggresive cut at the wake and was shocked how high and far I got booted.

The air nautique is the only way to go for a good crossover.

[avizer]

Clean wake?

i am still trying to figure out how to balance the boat for my family. can anyone tell me what would be the result of an empty ballast and adding weight to the bow? i am trying to get a clean wake at around 16-18MPH.

thanks,

[bkhallpass]

Re: Clean wake?

i am still trying to figure out how to balance the boat for my family. can anyone tell me what would be the result of an empty ballast and adding weight to the bow? i am trying to get a clean wake at around 16-18MPH.

thanks,

Generally speaking, weighting the front of the boat only will decrease the size of the wake, and mush out the wake. What kind of boat is it. 16 mph is pretty slow to expect a clean wake. BKH

[Sharpie081]

210 at slower speed - sweeeet.

Hey man, i recently bought a 05 210 team air just last week so still getting used to the massive wake... and still working out what works best. just yesterday we shortend the rope to about 55 - 60ft and i was able to get clean wake with 3 people in the boat with rear tanks empty but front ballest tank full. right down to 18mph. i found this worked best for beginners and people still getting used to the wake.. only thing is you have to carve in a fair bit harded to clear the wake but still awesome man... 8-)

[crowmobe540]

I have had my 210 pretty slow with a clean wake. I would say about 18 with maybe a 65 or 70 foot rope. That is only a couple people and definitely no ballast. I would say go for a new boat. They will have to learn to ride faster either way. Plus, there is way more room in the 210 than a direct drive. You will love the wake if you like big ones. I weigh mine down a lot and ride at 22mph.

[crowmobe540]

that is obviously weighted. about 22mph. the guy is about 6ft tall.

[bkhallpass]

crow, with glass water as shown in your photo, I agree you can get a clean wake in the 18 range on a 210. However, I've found if there is any ripple at all, I need about 19.3 to clean it up. BKH

[crowmobe540]

You may be correct. You can always shorten the rope and be able to slow down.