Wake Too Mellow/Long - Troubleshooting Guide

How to create a steeper, more aggressive wake with better lip definition

Problem: Your Wake is Too Mellow or Long

The wake has too gradual a transition from trough to lip, lacking the aggressive pocket and defined lip that advanced riders need for tricks.

Signs Your Wake is Too Mellow:

• Long, gradual transition (5-7+ feet)
• Lacks defined lip or curl
• Not enough “pop” for aerial tricks
• Wake feels soft or mushy
• Difficult to get speed for spins
• Riders slide down the face instead of riding the pocket
• More like a rolling swell than a surf wave

Solutions (In Order of Effectiveness)

1. Increase Power Wedge (Primary Solution)

The wedge creates vertical lift and tightens the transition

Action Steps:

• Increase wedge deployment by 15-20%
• If currently at 50%, try 65-70%
• If at 60%, try 75-80%
• Advanced riders: 80-90%

Why This Works: The power wedge pushes water down and back, creating more vertical lift and a shorter, more aggressive transition.

Target Settings:

• IntermediateComfortable riding ropeless, working on turns and positioning. Starting to experiment with tricks.: 60-70%
• AdvancedPerforming aerials, spins, and advanced maneuvers. Needs maximum push and clean pocket for technical riding.: 75-90%

Caution: Too much wedge (>90%) can create wash on the face. Increase gradually.

2. Lower Wake Plates

Wake plates control boat attitude and wake angle

Action Steps:

• Lower wake plates by 10-20%
• If at 60%, try 45-50%
• If at 50% (neutral), try 35-40%

Why This Works: Lower plates push the stern down and lift the bow, creating a steeper wake angle.

Effect:

• Lower plates = steeper, shorter transition
• Higher plates = mellower, longer wake

Caution: Too low can cause excessive wash. Adjust incrementally (10% at a time).

3. Increase Speed

Speed creates more aggressive wake energy

Action Steps:

• Increase speed by 0.3-0.5 mph
• If running 10.8 mph, try 11.2-11.5 mph
• AdvancedPerforming aerials, spins, and advanced maneuvers. Needs maximum push and clean pocket for technical riding. riders: 11.3-11.5 mph
• Use cruise control for consistency

Why This Works: Higher speed creates more wake energy, tightens the pocket, and creates better lip definition.

Speed Guidelines:

• 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
• Aggressive riding: 11.4-11.6 mph

Don’t Go Too Fast: Above 11.8 mph, wake can become unrideable and washy.

4. Adjust Ballast Distribution

Shift weight rearward for steeper attitude

Action Steps:

• Increase bow ballast by 10-15%
• Keep rear ballast (surf side) at 100%
• This creates more bow lift and stern push

Why This Works: More bow weight combined with rear ballast creates a steeper running angle.

Target Setup:

• Surf-side rear: 100%
• Off-side rear: 60-75%
• Bow: 75-85% (increased from typical 65-70%)
• Center: 100%

Effect: Boat runs with bow higher, stern lower = steeper wake angle.

5. Redistribute Passenger Weight

Load weight in the rear to increase stern push

Action Steps:

• Pack 3-4 people in surf-side rear corner seat
• Keep minimal weight in bow (1 person max)
• Add weight to rear observation seats if available

Target Distribution:

• Surf-side rear: 3-4 people (packed in)
• Bow: 0-1 person
• Off-side rear: 0-1 person
• Center/rear: Additional people

Why This Works: Rear-heavy weight pushes stern down, lifts bow, creates steeper attitude.

6. Verify Surf Gate Deployment

Ensure maximum gate deployment

Check These:

• Surf gate fully deployed (100%)
• Gate clean and free of debris
• System not stuck in partial deployment
• Transfer valve fully actuated

Why This Matters: Partial deployment creates mellower, less defined wake.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Process

Step 1: Increase power wedge by 20%

• Run for 5 minutes
• Still too mellow? Continue to Step 2

Step 2: Lower wake plates by 15%

• Run for 5 minutes
• Still too mellow? Continue to Step 3

Step 3: Increase speed by 0.5 mph

• Run for 5 minutes
• Still too mellow? Continue to Step 4

Step 4: Increase bow ballast by 15%

• Run for 5 minutes
• Still too mellow? Continue to Step 5

Step 5: Move passengers rearward (pack surf-side seat)

• Test again

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Wake is Mellow AND Small

Problem: Wake lacks both size and aggression

Solution:

• Increase all ballast to 90-100%
• Wedge to 75-85%
• Lower plates to 40%
• Speed to 11.3-11.5 mph
• See wake too small guide

Scenario 2: Wake Size is Good, Just Too Soft

Problem: Wake has height but no defined lip or pocket

Solution:

• Keep ballast the same
• Increase wedge by 20%
• Lower plates by 10%
• Increase speed by 0.3-0.5 mph

Goal: Same size, more aggressive shape

Scenario 3: Advanced Rider Needs Max Aggression

Problem: Rider wants steepest, most powerful wake possible

Solution:

• Ballast: 100% all tanks
• Wedge: 85-90%
• Plates: 35-40%
• Speed: 11.4-11.6 mph
• Load rear with 3-4 people
• Bow ballast: 80%+

Result: Maximum steep, aggressive wake with defined lip

Scenario 4: Wake Mellow and Washy

Problem: Wake is both too mellow AND has wash on face

Solution:

• This is tricky—too much wedge causes wash
• Increase wedge by 10% (not 20%)
• Lower plates by 15%
• Increase speed by 0.5 mph
• Check wake face wash guide

Understanding Wake Geometry

What Makes a Wake Aggressive?

An aggressive wake has a short transition (2-4 feet) from trough to lip with a defined curl:

• Mellow Wake: 5-7 foot transition, gradual rise, rolling top
• Aggressive Wake: 2-4 foot transition, steep rise, defined lip/curl

Visual Check from Boat:

• Mellow wake: Looks like a smooth rolling hill
• Aggressive wake: Looks like a ramp with a distinct lip

What Riders Need:

• BeginnersJust learning to get up and ride without the rope. Focused on balance and finding the sweet spot.: Mellow is good—forgiving and easy to ride
• AdvancedPerforming aerials, spins, and advanced maneuvers. Needs maximum push and clean pocket for technical riding.: Aggressive—need pop for tricks

Advanced Tuning

Creating a “Competition-Style” Wake

Goal: Maximum steepness with clean face for big airs

Setup:

• Ballast: 100% all tanks + 800 lbs fat sacs
• Wedge: 85-88%
• Plates: 38-42%
• Speed: 11.4-11.5 mph
• Bow ballast: 80-85%
• Rear-heavy passenger loading

Characteristics:

• 28-32” height
• 2-3 foot transition
• Defined lip
• Clean face
• Maximum push

Progressive Wake for Learning Tricks

Goal: Moderately aggressive wake for intermediate riders progressing to tricks

Setup:

• Ballast: 80-85% total
• Wedge: 65-70%
• Plates: 45-50%
• Speed: 11.0-11.3 mph
• Bow ballast: 70%

Characteristics:

• 24-28” height
• 3-4 foot transition
• Good pop but forgiving
• Clean pocket

Pro Tips

✅ Wedge is king: Power wedge has the most impact on wake aggression

✅ Speed amplifies: Higher speed makes the wake steeper and more powerful

✅ Balance wash vs. steep: Too aggressive can create wash—find the sweet spot

✅ Plate adjustment matters: 10% plate change can significantly alter wake angle

✅ Test incrementally: Change one thing at a time by 10-15%

✅ Water depth: Shallow water (<15 ft) can create naturally mellower wakes—move to deeper water

✅ Rider skill: Only create aggressive wakes for riders who need them—beginners will struggle

When Mellow is Good

Not every rider needs an aggressive wake!

BeginnersJust learning to get up and ride without the rope. Focused on balance and finding the sweet spot. and casual riders often prefer mellower wakes:

• Easier to ride
• More forgiving
• Better for long sessions
• Less intimidating

If rider wants mellower:

• Reduce wedge
• Raise plates
• Decrease speed
• See wake too steep guide

Quick Reference Table

Common Mistakes

❌ Adding more ballast: More weight doesn’t make wake steeper—it makes it bigger. Use wedge and plates for steepness.

❌ Going too fast: Speed above 11.8 mph creates wash and can blow out the pocket.

❌ Maxing wedge immediately: Increase gradually—too much creates wash instead of clean steepness.

❌ Ignoring water depth: Can’t create aggressive wakes in shallow water (<15 ft).

Related Troubleshooting Guides

• Wake Too Steep
• Not Enough Push
• Wake Too Small
• Wake Face Wash

Still Having Issues?

If your wake is still too mellow after these adjustments, let our experts help dial it in.

Contact Us:

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