Wake question on 197's

[mcdrew]

I have an 05' 197 tournamnent boat w/ MCX, slot, and tower. My friend has a 04' 197 w/ std. trans, MCX, and does not have a tower.
My problem is, the wake on the 04' is a lot better than my 05' at 15', 22', 28' @ 34mph. The 04' wake is almost as good @ 22' as my 05' is at 28'.
Does anyone know if there is a difference in boats, or does the tower/slot affect the wake of a 197?
Does anyone have any experience trying to enhance a wake on a 197?

Thanks for all your help

[east tx skier]

The larger prop may be throwing a larger column, but I wouldn't think the difference would be that discernable. That said, I've skied behind a few 197s. Some had slots, others 1:1. My recollection was that the wake was a little better on the 1:1 at 15 off. All had towers.

[6ballsisall]

Those towers do add quite a bit of weight, and the slot turns a bigger prop making more propwash back there. I think you've answered your question above. Take the tower off the TT. Ski boats arent suppose to have those fishing downriggers anyway. :D

[captain planet]

If you don't like that 2005 tournament boat..I will gladly take it off your hands for you. :D

[mcdrew]

It's just frusturating, that a tournamnet boat, has a noticibly bigger/firmer wake, than a std. 197.
I was under the impression that the slot was supposed to help the wake by slowing down the rpm of the boat.

[JohnE]

Take the tower off at least for "testing" purposes. The powerslot is for more holeshot and will also give a firmer pull.

Are you sure your speed is calibrated properly? And are you sure your buddy's is? A few mph would make the wake seem bigger at 36 if you were really going 34.

[6ballsisall]

It's just frusturating, that a tournamnet boat, has a noticibly bigger/firmer wake, than a std. 197.
I was under the impression that the slot was supposed to help the wake by slowing down the rpm of the boat.

NOpe.... It's turning a bigger prop, therefore a larger column is created. That said, I would take a Powerslot MC over a 1:1 any day of the week.

Seriously, pull that tower off and I think you'll be really happy

[captain planet]

FWIW, the tower is adding weight to the front of the boat, so wouldn't that actually raise up the back of the boat thus making the wake a little flatter?

6ball, if a powerslot is creating a larger water column, wouldn't a 1:1 be a smaller wake? :confused:

[flipper]

FWIW, the tower is adding weight to the front of the boat, so wouldn't that actually raise up the back of the boat thus making the wake a little flatter?

6ball, if a powerslot is creating a larger water column, wouldn't a 1:1 be a smaller wake? :confused:

Yeah, but he'd still would rather have the powerslot. I would too for that matter, but I don't ski on the level that most of these guys do.

[6ballsisall]

FWIW, the tower is adding weight to the front of the boat, so wouldn't that actually raise up the back of the boat thus making the wake a little flatter?

6ball, if a powerslot is creating a larger water column, wouldn't a 1:1 be a smaller wake? :confused:

Thats what he's stating, that the 1:1 has a smaller wake.

As for the other issue about tower. IMO weight is weight. The less the better. I'd be willing to make a wager that with the tower and all that weight pulled from the boat, the wake would be nicer

[captain planet]

Thats what he's stating, that the 1:1 has a smaller wake.



I know......I thought about that as soon as I sent that post. Temporary brain lapse. :o

[east tx skier]

Thats what he's stating, that the 1:1 has a smaller wake.

As for the other issue about tower. IMO weight is weight. The less the better. I'd be willing to make a wager that with the tower and all that weight pulled from the boat, the wake would be nicer

Agreed. Don't put much gas in it either, take the back seat out, and make sure the trunk is empty. Also, make sure that the boat is balanced. Oh, and take the tower off.

I'd take a slot over a 1:1 all else being equal.

[rodltg2]

are skiing them at the same time and same lake?? different lakes affect the wake differently.

[mcdrew]

Planet, you are right about the Tower putting weight forward. When the boats are sitting next to each other in the water, the 05' swim platform is 1-2" higher than the 04'. As far as weight in the boat, there is nothing but ski gear and people, no back seat, 5 gallons of gas max, no stereo equipment, and trunk only has 1 bottle of soap.

[mcdrew]

Rod we skied the boats 3 times this weekend within 5 minutes of each other with four people (three people on Sat. and a different third on Sun & Mon.) We'd do 3 runs through the course behind mine, then grab his boat and do three sets behind his. On Sunday we started with his boat first( It was a beautiful weekend and we had extra time). All four people had the same opinion.

[ShamrockIV]

are we sure he means a tournament team boat??

not just a regular 197?

[erkoehler]

I have a 2008 197 w/ LY6 and powerslot with NO tower if you want to trade :)

[mcdrew]

Shamrock, my boat is the 05' Tournament Team. My friends boat is a 04' std. 197.
erkoehler: Thanks for the offer. I'll see if I can work this out first.

[erkoehler]

Where are you in the midwest?

[mcdrew]

Michigan. Detroit Metro Area

[jpattigr]

Each boat has a personality and makes each a little different! The amount of glass the size of the hook and the most of all the Prop can make a change.

If your boat has an OJ prop try a Acme and vice versa, the prop is where to start to change the feel of the wake.

I have a 02 Pro 197 (LQ9 w Slot) and have tried 4 different props and all changed the wake, ended up with a 13.5 x 19 Acme that I liked best.

Good Luck!

[mcdrew]

I was hoping someone here was having similiar problems and fixed them by either changing the prop, adding weight somewhere in the boat, etc.

[jwroblew]

mcdrew, I work in the Detroit metro area, I would love to come up and experience the problem myself, then I could properly weigh in on the subject :D

[Age Fighter]

Each boat has a personality and makes each a little different! I have a 02 Pro 197 (LQ9 w Slot) and have tried 4 different props and all changed the wake, ended up with a 13.5 x 19 Acme that I liked best. Good Luck!

interesting, I am a week into trying a new OJ 3 blade CNC for wake adjustment, and not sure if I like it or not (X-9). I also think the factory hook is a tad small. Are you saying that some more prop testing and maybe a hook enhancement might be worth looking into? (not to hijack the thread, but I am having similar trials with different model)