2013 230 hydro gate

[d_nodixon]

Ok, I get the purpose of the hydro gate but took it off several years back to eliminate a variable while getting the wake dialed in, especially since I do not always have the same driver. One less item to worry about.

I am at the point to where I am considering putting it back on, but wonder if it's of any real use. The only thing we do is wakeboard and my two boys (5 and 7) are learning to ride. My oldest it at the point to where he can start trying to cross the wake and I trying to keep it as slow, clean, and small as possible. Any recommendations for this? I know to slow down, no weight, and shorten rope.

I know the 230s are extremely hard to get clean at lower speeds and i have not had much luck yet. Will adding the gate and fully engaing help any, or with this just make it harder to clean up? I can get one side clean by moving people to that side, but it's gets a little tall, steep, and has a bit of a curl at the top. My son is comfy riding at 20, but I do not want him to start crossing wake at that speed, would rather around 18.

Also, with gate engaged is it any easier to plane off when weighted?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[charlesml3]

I don't know why you took it off to "eliminate a variable while getting the wake dialed in." All you had to do is pull the lever all the way back which fully retracts the gate. In that position, it isn't doing anything at all.

As you push the lever forward, the gate drops. As it drops, it lifts the stern. The further you push it forward, the more lift it provides.

To plane out more quickly, push it all the way forward. As the boat comes up to speed, pull it back.

[Paxdad]

I am with Charlesml3 on this one..... why even take it off in the first place. There are quite a few parts involved at getting it back together so good luck with that.


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[lucky7t]

I use ours all the time . Why take it off ? Just pull all the way back .

We move forward in rough water to plane out . If I’m in a cove and want out quick and not destroy the smooth water for everyone we move forward and hit it . The wake is very minimal when forward and no ballast .




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[Blamey]

I find the cruising ride is much better with it forward. There is a significant difference to the ride when the lake is choppy.

I haven't done much wakeboarding on my 230 and the only time I disengage the gate is when surfing as the wave isn't great with out engaged.

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[d_nodixon]

Ok, thanks for the input guys. As far as why I removed, I have my reasons I suppose....whether justifiable or not.

At any rate I appreciate the input and did reinstall. I found that it certainly does improve the ride in rough waters, but need to be sure to disengage when going over the big rollers. Certainly need the nose up in those instances.

Also, did not really notice a decrease in wake size (no ballast) when fully deployed. I was driving, so perhaps someone riding would notice the difference. It did seem to wash out a bit more on one side.

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