Hydro Gate - What is the best way to use it for maximum wake ??

[Ccamp2]

I jsut got a 2010 Air Nautique 216V. It has the Hyrdogate control option that should be used to adjsut the wake..Similiar to the below picture but mine does not say Slalom or Wakebaording. I was out on the water yesterday and did not notice any difference between any of the stages 1-2-3 of the control..

Note: I was going roughly 21.5 MPH with no ballast.

Is there somethign I need to know to make this effective?

[F725]

Pulling the lever back (towards stern) will lift the Hydrogate, therefore allowing the bow to ride higher = steeper wake / wave.

[Paxdad]

With the lever back the bow goes up with the lever forward the bow goes down. You should be able to see the attitude of the boat as you move the lever at 21.5 mph. In fact if you look back you will see the wake flatten out especially a the peak or lip of the wake.

[nukemustang]

Yeah as they stated, it doesn't somehow massively change the size of the wake, but more alters the shape. On mine, it seems to definitely add a little bit more ramp to the wake with it in the wakeboard position (full aft)

[swatguy]

The hydrogate for wakebording will not increase or decrease the size of your wake. It will only adjust the steepness/shape. Having the Hydrogate lever pushed towards the bow will give you a bit more rampy of a wake. The lip on the wake will be more rounded and the overall wake shape will be more beginner friendly. It adds more of a lateral left wake to right wake travel. This is the position you also want to use for slaloming. It will flatten out the wake at ski speeds as well.



Pulling the lever back disengages the hydrogate and allows the transom of the boat to sink down while at wakeboard speeds. This doesn't really change the overall height of the wake, but it definitely makes the wake steeper. This will give you a more upward pop. This is the setting most intermediate / advanced riders prefer.

The thirds aspect is surfing. When you push the gate lever forward your surf pocket will be a bit longer , but loose some of it steepness. Pull it to the rear and your pocket gets a little smaller butvtheceake gets bit steeper and gives you more push.

When you engage the hydrogate ( lever pushed towards the bow) it in essence adds "hook" to the transom. It forces the bow down and makes the boat ride more level raising the angle of the transom. Thus the flatter wakes. When you disengage it (pull it to rear) it allows the stern to settle in its natural position thus lifting the bow and allowing stern to ride deeper.

[xrichard]

If the gate is working, you should notice the change. You can verify on the trailer: stand behind the boat and have someone move the lever back and forth...you should see a plate move vertically up and down at the hydrogate assembly on the transom. Lever back = the plate is fully retracted. Lever forward = plate extends a bit below the transom to generate lift.

FWIW, in my experience the hydrogate is worthless for shaping the wake at the speeds and weights we rode my 2008 210 (e.g. 22.5-24 mph and 2000-3000lbs total ballast depending on rider). Extending it changed the wake shape, but typically crumbled the top of the wake. Fully retracted gives the cleanest wake by a wide margin.

It's best use was (1) getting on plane more quickly...or at all when running heavy ballast; (2) pushing the bow down for a more comfortable ride back to the dock if the wind and chop picked up.

[Ccamp2]

Thanks for the input guys. Last night I tested it out of the water. It doesnt move hardly at all. I attached pics at 1 and at 3.. Does this look right?

[nukemustang]

Yup, that's all it moves. If you notice the plate in the lowered position blocks that entire channel that is "cut" into the bottom of the boat

[Nordicron]

I can instantly tell when being pulled behind my boat if the driver hasn't pulled the gate back! It definitely helps add a lip to the wake! Also helps getting on plane in the forward position.