Not Enough Push - Troubleshooting Guide

How to increase forward energy and momentum in your surf wake

Problem: Not Enough Push

The wake lacks forward energy and momentum, making it difficult to ride ropeless or get speed for tricks. Riders keep falling behind the wake or can’t maintain position.

Signs of Insufficient Push:

• Rider constantly drifts back out of the pocket
• Can’t ride ropeless—need to hold rope
• No forward momentum or “drive”
• Hard to get speed for tricks or carving
• Wake feels “dead” or lacking energy
• Rider has to pump excessively to stay in position

Understanding “Push”

Push is the forward energy the wake transfers to the rider. It’s different from wake size:

• Size = Height and mass of the wake
• Push = Forward energy and momentum

You can have a big wake with no push (all vertical) or a smaller wake with great push (forward energy).

Solutions (In Order of Effectiveness)

1. Increase Speed (Primary Solution)

Speed is the #1 factor in creating push

Action Steps:

• Increase speed by 0.5 mph
• If running 10.5 mph, try 11.0 mph
• If at 11.0 mph, try 11.3-11.5 mph
• Use cruise control for consistency

Why This Works: Higher speed creates more water flow and forward energy transfer to the wake.

Optimal Speeds for Push:

• IntermediateComfortable riding ropeless, working on turns and positioning. Starting to experiment with tricks.: 10.8-11.3 mph
• AdvancedPerforming aerials, spins, and advanced maneuvers. Needs maximum push and clean pocket for technical riding.: 11.2-11.5 mph
• Maximum push: 11.4-11.6 mph

Important: Even 0.3 mph makes a noticeable difference in push.

Caution: Too fast (>11.8 mph) can create wash and blow out the pocket.

2. Increase Power Wedge Deployment

The wedge adds mass and energy to the wake

Action Steps:

• Increase wedge by 15-20%
• If at 50%, try 65-70%
• If at 65%, try 75-85%
• Advanced riders: 80-90%

Why This Works: The wedge redirects more water into the wake, creating more mass and forward energy.

Target Settings:

• IntermediateComfortable riding ropeless, working on turns and positioning. Starting to experiment with tricks.: 65-75%
• AdvancedPerforming aerials, spins, and advanced maneuvers. Needs maximum push and clean pocket for technical riding.: 75-90%

Pro Tip: Wedge creates both size AND push—it’s a powerful tool.

3. Add More Ballast

More displacement creates more water energy

Action Steps:

• Increase surf-side rear ballast to 100%
• Increase off-side rear to 70-75%
• Increase center locker to 100%
• Increase bow to 75-80%

Why This Works: More weight displaces more water, creating more wake mass and energy.

Total Weight Target:

• IntermediateComfortable riding ropeless, working on turns and positioning. Starting to experiment with tricks.: 75-85% capacity
• AdvancedPerforming aerials, spins, and advanced maneuvers. Needs maximum push and clean pocket for technical riding.: 90-100%+ capacity

Additional Options:

• Add fat sacs (400-800 lbs) in rear lockers
• Run with full fuel tank (400-800 lbs)

4. Add Passenger Weight on Surf Side

People create displacement and push

Action Steps:

• Put 3-4 people in surf-side rear corner seat
• Add 1-2 in bow
• Load rear observation areas
• Keep weight on surf side

Why This Works: Each person adds 150-200 lbs of ballast, increasing displacement and energy.

Optimal Loading:

• Surf-side rear: 3-4 people (packed)
• Bow: 1-2 people
• Off-side: 0-1 person max

5. Lower Wake Plates Slightly

Plates can fine-tune push

Action Steps:

• Lower wake plates by 5-10%
• If at 50%, try 40-45%
• Don’t lower more than 15% total

Why This Works: Lower plates increase stern push, adding energy to the wake.

Caution: Too low creates wash. Make small adjustments (5-10% at a time).

6. Verify Surf Gate Deployment

Ensure maximum energy transfer

Check These:

• Surf gate fully deployed (100%)
• Gate clean—no debris or weeds
• System properly actuated
• No partial deployment issues

Why This Matters: Partial deployment reduces water redirection and energy transfer.

Action Steps:

• Clean gate surfaces thoroughly
• Check actuator operation
• Verify full deployment on display

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Process

Step 1: Increase speed by 0.5 mph

• Run for 5 minutes
• Still not enough push? Continue to Step 2

Step 2: Increase power wedge by 20%

• Run for 5 minutes
• Still not enough push? Continue to Step 3

Step 3: Add more ballast (increase by 15% across all tanks)

• Run for 5 minutes
• Still not enough push? Continue to Step 4

Step 4: Add passenger weight to surf side (pack the corner)

• Run for 5 minutes
• Still not enough push? Continue to Step 5

Step 5: Lower wake plates by 10%

• Test again
• Still not enough push? See “Advanced Solutions” below

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Rider Can’t Ride Ropeless

Problem: Wake looks good but rider keeps drifting back, needs rope

Solution:

• Increase speed to 11.0-11.3 mph (critical)
• Wedge to 70-75%
• Full ballast on surf side
• Pack surf-side seat with 3 people
• Verify surf gate deployment

Common Cause: Speed too low (running at 10.5 instead of 11.0+)

Scenario 2: Wake Has Size But No Drive

Problem: Big wake but lacks forward momentum

Solution:

• Check speed first—might be too slow
• Increase speed by 0.5-0.8 mph
• Increase wedge by 15%
• This adds push without just making wake bigger

Key: Speed and wedge create push; ballast creates size.

Scenario 3: Intermediate Rider Progressing to Tricks

Problem: Need more push to get speed for 360s, shuvits, etc.

Solution:

• Speed to 11.2-11.4 mph
• Wedge to 75-80%
• Ballast to 85-90%
• Lower plates to 40-45%
• Load surf side with weight

Result: More drive and speed in the pocket for trick progression.

Scenario 4: Advanced Rider, Need Maximum Push

Problem: Rider wants max forward energy for big airs and speed

Solution:

• Speed: 11.4-11.6 mph
• Wedge: 85-90%
• Ballast: 100% + 800 lbs fat sacs
• Plates: 40%
• Pack surf side with 3-4 people
• Bow ballast: 80%

Result: Maximum push and energy transfer.

Advanced Solutions

Check Water Depth

Shallow water reduces push

Depth Requirements:

• 15+ feet: Optimal performance
• 10-15 feet: Reduced push and shape
• <10 feet: Significantly compromised

If in Shallow Water:

• Move to deeper area
• May need to increase speed more
• Wake will never have optimal push in shallow water

Verify Boat Attitude

Proper attitude maximizes push

Check Running Angle:

• Bow should be slightly elevated (5-10 degrees)
• Stern pushed down with weight
• Level side-to-side

If Bow is Too Low:

• Reduce bow ballast
• Add more rear ballast
• Lower wake plates

If Attitude is Good But Still No Push:

• Focus on speed and wedge—attitude isn’t the issue

Consider Impeller/Drive Condition

Mechanical issues can affect push

Check These:

• GPS speed vs. speedometer (impeller slip?)
• Engine RPM at cruise speed (should be consistent)
• Prop condition (damage reduces efficiency)

Signs of Issues:

• Can’t reach target speed at normal RPM
• Speed fluctuates despite cruise control
• High RPM but low speed

Solution: Visit service department for impeller/prop check.

Pro Tips

✅ Speed first: Always adjust speed before other settings—it has the biggest impact

✅ GPS matters: Use GPS-based speed control, not just RPM—GPS is accurate, RPM can vary

✅ Wedge amplifies: Wedge creates both push and size—powerful tool for push

✅ Small changes: Increase speed by 0.3 mph at a time, test, repeat

✅ Weight placement: Surf-side loading is critical—don’t spread weight evenly

✅ Give it time: Wait 5 minutes after speed changes for wake to stabilize

✅ Rider feedback: Ask specifically about forward drive, not just wake size

Understanding the Physics

How Push is Created:

1. Water Displacement: Ballast pushes water outward
2. Water Velocity: Speed creates flow energy
3. Energy Transfer: Surf gate + wedge redirect flow into wake
4. Forward Momentum: Wake shape channels energy forward to rider

Key Factors:

• Speed = Primary energy source
• Wedge = Energy amplifier and director
• Ballast = Mass and displacement
• Shape = Energy transfer efficiency

Common Mistakes

❌ Only adding ballast: More weight without speed = big wake, no push

❌ Ignoring speed: Running 10.5 mph instead of 11.0 mph kills push

❌ Partial wedge deployment: 50% wedge won’t create adequate push for most riders

❌ Off-side weight: Too many people on off-side reduces surf-side energy

❌ Clean vs. washy: Don’t confuse “not enough push” with “washy face”—different problems

Quick Reference Table

System Checks

If you’ve tried everything and still lack push:

1. Speed Calibration:
   • Verify GPS speed matches display
   • Check for impeller issues
   • Calibrate speed control system
2. Surf Gate:
   • Verify full deployment
   • Clean thoroughly
   • Check actuator function
3. Ballast System:
   • Confirm tanks filling completely
   • Check fill times
   • Look for leaks
4. Power Wedge (if equipped):
   • Verify full deployment range
   • Check actuator function
   • Clean wedge surfaces

Related Troubleshooting Guides

• Wake Too Small
• Wake Too Mellow
• Wake Face Wash
• Wake Breaking Up

Still Having Issues?

If your wake still lacks push after these adjustments, there may be a system issue or your boat might benefit from professional tuning.

Contact Us:

• Visit: Canby, Oregon City, or Redmond locations
• Call: (971) 715-1170
• Back to All Guides