| The
changing nature of boat design reflects how the sport has
evolved over time. Skiers prefer small, soft wakes. Wakeboarders,
on the other hand, want big wakes from which to launch aerial
maneuvers.
Review your basic options. An inboard engine
is the most powerful and is located in the boat's hull. Cheaper
outboard engines clamp onto the transom. Inboard/outboard
engines combine the power of an inboard with the maneuverability
of an outboard.
Understand the trade-offs between inboard engine types:
A direct-drive engine is located mid-boat
and sends power directly from the engine to the drive shaft
to the propeller. Direct drives with their flat bottoms are
preferred by skiers because they produce small wakes, and
handle and track better.
The flat hull, however, makes riding on choppy
water a bouncy ride; and the engine, smack dab in the middle
of the boat, uses up prime seating.
V-drive boats have rear-mounted engines and
a deep V hull that cuts through chop without a blink, but
produce a large wake. Some feature ballast tanks that can
be filled for even bigger wakes, making wakeboarders ecstatic,
then drained again for skiers. The engine location allows
for quieter, more sociable seating. Tow lines attach from
a tower high above the cockpit.
Meet in the middle. Recognizing the market's
changing needs, boat builders have designed crossover boats.
Mostly featuring direct-drive engines, these "all-event"
boats have ballast tanks that hold up to 1,600 lbs (597 kg)
with adjustable trim-plates. So fill it up and create monster
wakes, or dial it back down for the skiers; one boat happily
serves both camps.
Investigate available amenities. Swim platforms
make it easier to climb into the boat after a hard run, and
overhead racks stow gear safely away.
What To Look For
* Engine type
* Direct-drive or V-drive
* Crossover boats
* Amenities
Improved technology has boosted engines to over 300 horsepower.
In the future, look for boats with new composite hull materials
and engines that further reduce noise and water pollution.
The hull ventilation system prevents the buildup
of explosive gasoline fumes. Make sure it works before operating
the boat.
If you're buying a used boat, hire a marine
surveyor to perform an inspection. This service costs several
hundred dollars but will reveal any potentially disastrous
problems. You need to be sure the engine is functioning and
the hull is sound.
How
to buy a boat? | History
Of The Competition Ski Boat Industry| Boat Shows|
Suppliers
To The Inboard Boat|
USA Water
Ski| Malibu
Boats| Buying
a Used Boat| Guide
to Buy a Water-ski Boat| Drive
a Ski Boat|
Buying
a Water Skis as a Gift| Jump
on Water Skis |
