Wake to wake jumps behind a twin jet Yamaha?

[anmut]

I've been getting more distance on my w2w jumps but still haven't reached that far side to have that nice landing - still only getting about 3/4 of the way there. Last weekend I was watching my brother's I/O wake and saw that it was way less wide than what my twin puts out. So as I'm contemplating getting to the other side of the wake via airmail, I'm thinking of my options and their consequences:

1. Increase speed to get more pop but increase the danger of a bad fall.
2. Shorten rope to get a smaller w2w width but speed decreases on the build up.
3. Go out to full 70' on the rope (usually ride at 60') but then the wake is even wider.
4. Add more ballast to increase wake steepness - already at 750lbs in the locker though.

What am I missing? Are you guys getting wake to wake jumps on your twin jets?

 

[Julian]

I'm not a good wakeboarder, but I've seen good wakeboarders and I think the trick is a combination of things:

1) Your speed (doesn't have to be the boat speed only....how fast you cut will give you more speed)
2) The wake size....yes....more ballast will result in a bigger wake- which means a bigger "ramp" to take off from
3) Your athleticism - its not just about the ramp....you can jump too.

 

[anmut]

I'm not a good wakeboarder, but I've seen good wakeboarders and I think the trick is a combination of things:

1) Your speed (doesn't have to be the boat speed only....how fast you cut will give you more speed)
2) The wake size....yes....more ballast will result in a bigger wake- which means a bigger "ramp" to take off from
3) Your athleticism - its not just about the ramp....you can jump too.

I'm going to try some configurations this weekend and let you know - but agree with your points. I was able to get some pictures and video from last weekend, even though I feel like my cut is progressive enough when I'm coming into the wake, for sure I'm not "sitting" as deep as I should be.

 

[BrandonG]

Everything you listed sounds like a band aid fix to improper technique. The number one thing I see when people aren't making it to the other side of the wake is they are not setting a hard enough edge into the wake. Also be sure you're not trying to pop off the wake too early. Increasing the speed may get you across but you're likely to loose height as a result.

 

[JonKTX]

Edging into the wake and stand tall at the top will help, also keep the line loaded. Several good tutorials on YouTube to help with technique.

 

[Marvin willis]

It’s up to the wakeboarder. This is a stock ar230 at 25mph

 

[Marvin willis]

It’s hard to tell but that guy is 6’4”

 

[J-RAD]

Adding weight in the rear vs the ski locker only will increase the wake size. Increasing the speed a bit will both narrow the wake and give you more speed as you approach the wake.

Shaun Murray gives some solid advice in this video that's been helpful for improving my wake to wake.

• Size up your board
  • More surface area = more pop
  • More control on landings
• Lean back staight against the rope when cutting
• Stand up at the wake to recieve the pop

Also some great tips here from David OC

• Carve out, turn in slow to tension rope
• Building speed progressively
• Stand up at the wake
• Push down on the rope

Here's behind my AR240. The boat is setup with 500lbs ballast under each rear seat, 700-800lbs in the ski locker. Speed about 21-22mph. Rope is probably 60 ft including the handle.

 

[BrandonG]

@J-RAD That does not look like a good time trying to navigate all that jetwash/choppy water

 

[J-RAD]

@J-RAD That does not look like a good time trying to navigate all that jetwash/choppy water

The copy water was a problem, it got progressively worse thru the ride. I've not had a smooth day on the lake for a while... ? The jetwash isn't bad, the length of the rope puts me just past and I'm only passing thru.

 

[marcham]

what's your boat speed?