Wake boarding from low tow rope vs. tower ??

[Terrapinjam99]

Hello , was looking to make a new/used 21 footer boat purchase . Trying to decide if I really need the Wake Tower for the elevated rope positioning for wake boarding ? We have never wake boarded ( only tube and ski ) , but the boys are older and what to start wake boarding . I know that you " can " do it from the low rope position , but does the elevated position really make that much difference -- or is more about the "cool" factor ( cause , I do admit , the new forward leaning tower do look very cool ! ) Looking for any and all input/advise/comments . As always - thanks ,in advance , for any input.

 

[haknslash]

It's not a cool factor although they do look great. It's for allowing for more air and tricks to be done. When you jump in the air if the tow point is low it will not allow for as much air as if the tow point was higher. Of course this being a jet boat the wake isn't going to be massive anyways for huge air tricks or anything but if your boys want to get the most out of wakeboarding they are going to want to be towed from the tower regardless of boat type. Towered boats also tend to have more desire on the market.

 

[latitudeadjuster]

Hello , was looking to make a new/used 21 footer boat purchase . Trying to decide if I really need the Wake Tower for the elevated rope positioning for wake boarding ? We have never wake boarded ( only tube and ski ) , but the boys are older and what to start wake boarding . I know that you " can " do it from the low rope position , but does the elevated position really make that much difference -- or is more about the "cool" factor ( cause , I do admit , the new forward leaning tower do look very cool ! ) Looking for any and all input/advise/comments . As always - thanks ,in advance , for any input.

Definitely want the tower especially if boys are older.....the tower helps to pull them straight up as well. If you go no tower the rope hooks to the rear low and gets caught up in wakes etc. But you can do it if you choose. Do not ever pull tube from tower though.....

 

[RiverRat]

Short answer, yes, you'll want a tower.

 

[Mainah]

Low tow point will equal more toe side face plants in the water too.

 

[spatty99]

More toy storage on the tower also.

 

[Sbrown]

Having wakeboarded with both, I can tell you that you have to work a lot harder to do the same aerial stuff with the low tow point. If you can get a tower, I would definitely recommend it.
One of the other benefits with a tower is the tow point is more centered over the boat, so when you carve wide and hard, you don't pull the boat around as much. From the operator's perspective, it makes it easier to control the boat.

 

[2kwik4u]

Having had a boat without a tower and with a tower I will verify all the above things. The tower us better in all regards for riding anything beyond a tube in the water!

I'll also add that beginners "get up" faster with the tower as it doesn't pull them down during a deep water start but pulls them up instead. It's a big advantage when learning IMO.

 

[Dave burke]

What about skiing? Tower ok or is a low tow point better? Thx

 

[Sbrown]

What about skiing? Tower ok or is a low tow point better? Thx

In my opinion, I prefer the low tow point for skiing, especially for slalom. When you're trying to carve a tight turn and really need to lay low, the high tow point is a real hindrance, at least to me anyway. Plus, when I'm transitioning the wake on a slalom, I prefer to keep the ski in touch with the water and having the rope lower helps me to do this.
Some people may complain that the rope drags in the water, but I've found that at the higher speeds needed for slalom skiing, the boat and the wake are sufficiently positioned so that's not much of a problem for me.

 

[Dave burke]

Thx. Makes sense. Stupid question but is there a low tow point on the late model Yammies? I got mine last year and have not been skiing with it yet.

 

[haknslash]

Thx. Makes sense. Stupid question but is there a low tow point on the late model Yammies? I got mine last year and have not been skiing with it yet.

Yes it's on the swim platform area.

 

[Dave burke]

Thx. It’s amazing what you can’t remember one the boat is stored for the winter...

 

[Sbrown]

Having that choice of two tow points is one of the things I like about the Yamahas

 

[adrianp89]

No wakeboarding experience here, but I plan on getting a board and starting from the bottom (no choice on my SX). Next year taxes will hopefully go towards a wake tower.

 

[2kwik4u]

You can certainly start from the low point. I learned to ride a board from the low point on our old Rinker. Makes getting air a little harder, but certainly doens't make learning the basics any different. You'll be quite a few sessions IMO before the low point becomes a hinderance in your progression.

Here's a picture of me riding the wakeskate behind my old boat. Not sure I have one of me behind the Yamaha.

 

[Sbrown]

Absolutely agree, for starting out the low point should not be a problem at all. Much like @2kwik4u, I learned the basics behind a boat that only had a low tow point. The high tow point really only comes into play for aerial stuff. Just makes getting good height a little easier.

 

[buckbuck]

You and your boys need a tower.

 

[buckbuck]

Let me say it again.

 

[JBehrens]

Tower is the best way to go! I have skied, kneeboarded and wakeboarded behind 2 boats without towers, a SVHO jetski, and 2 tower boats. The only time I was "happy" with a lower tow point was on the jetski and that is mostly because 1. it is my only option half of the time and 2. the power of the supercharger pulls my 220lb ass out of the water in 0.2 seconds. @buckbuck says it all, get a tower, you will not regret it. Not to mention the storage for boards and speaker (if you like). Also, some may disagree, but I find the higher point to be easier to teach with as it pulls you up and out of the water for starting.