Wake Too Small - Troubleshooting Guide

How to increase your surf wake size for more push and height

Problem: Your Wake is Too Small

Your wake doesn’t have enough size, height, or push for the rider’s skill level, making it difficult to stay in the pocket or land tricks.

Signs Your Wake is Too Small:

• Riders keep falling behind the wake
• Not enough push to ride ropeless
• Wake height under 20 inches
• Can’t stay in the pocket without rope
• No power for tricks or airs
• Wake dissipates quickly behind boat

Solutions (In Order of Effectiveness)

1. Add More Ballast (Primary Solution)

This is your #1 tool for increasing wake size.

Action Steps:

• Increase surf-side rear ballast to 100%
• Fill off-side rear to 60-75%
• Increase bow ballast to 75-80%
• Max out center locker if equipped (100%)

Target Total Weight:

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

Additional Weight Options:

• Consider aftermarket ballast bags (fat sacs) in rear lockers
• Add 400-800 lbs more for advanced riders
• Lead bags in corners for maximum weight

Pro Tip: Fill times indicate proper operation—if bags fill too quickly or slowly, check pumps and lines

2. Increase Power Wedge Deployment

If equipped with Power Wedge/Wake Wedge (Malibu/Axis)

Action Steps:

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

Why This Works: The wedge pushes water down and increases wake mass and length.

Sweet Spots:

• 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. Increase gradually.

3. Add Passenger Weight on Surf Side

People are excellent ballast—use them strategically!

Action Steps:

• Put 3-4 people in surf-side rear corner seat
• Add 1-2 people in bow
• Keep minimal weight on off-side

Weight Distribution:

• Each person ≈ 150-200 lbs
• 3 people in surf seat = 500+ lbs
• Prioritize surf-side loading

Optimal Loading:

• Surf-side rear seat: 3-4 people (packed in)
• Bow seating: 1-2 people
• Off-side: 0-1 person maximum
• Center walkway: Keep clear

4. Lower Wake Plates

Fine-tune wake size with plate adjustment

Action Steps:

• Lower wake plates by 10-15%
• If at 50% (neutral), try 35-40%
• This pushes the stern down and increases wake height

Effect:

• Lower plates = more bow lift = taller wake
• Can also add steepness

Caution: Too low can create excessive wash or make wake too steep. Adjust incrementally.

5. Increase Speed

Speed creates wake energy and push

Action Steps:

• Increase speed by 0.3-0.5 mph
• If running 10.8 mph, try 11.2-11.5 mph
• Use cruise control for consistency

Speed Ranges:

• 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

Effect:

• Higher speed = more push and energy
• Wake becomes steeper and more powerful
• Too fast (>11.8 mph) and wake can become unrideable

6. Verify Surf Gate Deployment

Ensure your surf system is working correctly

Check These:

• Surf gate is fully deployed on surf side
• Gate is clean and free of debris/weeds
• System is in “surf mode” not “wake mode”
• Transfer valve is directing flow to correct side

Common Issues:

• Gate partially deployed = smaller wake
• Gate stuck with debris = reduced performance
• Wrong side deployed = no wake!

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Process

Step 1: Max out all ballast tanks

• Surf side rear: 100%
• Off-side rear: 70%
• Bow: 75%
• Center: 100%
• Run for 5 minutes and test
• Still too small? Continue to Step 2

Step 2: Increase power wedge to 70-75% (if equipped)

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

Step 3: Add passenger weight to surf side

• Load 3 people in surf-side seat
• Add 1-2 in bow
• Run for 5 minutes
• Still too small? Continue to Step 4

Step 4: Lower wake plates by 10%

• Test again
• Still too small? Continue to Step 5

Step 5: Increase speed by 0.5 mph

• Test again
• Still too small? See “Advanced Solutions” below

Advanced Solutions for Maximum Wake

Option 1: Aftermarket Ballast

Add more weight capacity:

• Install fat sacs in rear seats/lockers (400-800 lbs each)
• Add lead bags (50-100 lbs each) in corners
• Upgrade ballast pumps for faster fill

Popular Locations:

• Rear observation locker: 400-600 lb bag
• Under rear seats: 400-600 lb bags
• Bow walkway: 400 lb bags

Total Setup: 4,000-5,000+ lbs total ballast for massive wakes

Option 2: Check Water Depth

Shallow water reduces wake size

Minimum Depths:

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

If You’re in Shallow Water:

• Move to deeper area if possible
• You may need even more ballast to compensate
• Speed may need adjustment

Option 3: Verify Boat Attitude

Check how your boat sits in the water

Proper Attitude:

• Bow slightly elevated (5-10 degrees)
• Stern pushed down with weight
• Level from side to side (minimal list)

If Bow is Too Low:

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

If Stern is Too High:

• Add more rear ballast
• Deploy wedge more
• Lower wake plates

Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Small Crew, Need Big Wake

Problem: Only 2-3 people in boat, wake is too small

Solution:

• Max out ALL ballast tanks (100%)
• Deploy wedge to 80-85%
• Add fat sacs if available (extra 800-1,200 lbs)
• Run 11.3-11.5 mph
• Consider adding lead weight

Scenario 2: Advanced Rider Wants Maximum Wake

Problem: Current setup maxed but wake still not big enough

Solution:

• Ballast: 100% all tanks + 800-1,000 lbs fat sacs
• Wedge: 85-90%
• Load surf side with 3-4 people
• Speed: 11.4-11.5 mph
• Wake plates: 35-40%
• Consider hull-specific tuning (dealer visit)

Scenario 3: Wake is Small AND Washy

Problem: Wake lacks size and has poor shape

Solution:

• Increase ballast first (don’t touch wedge yet)
• Verify surf gate is fully deployed and clean
• Check speed—might be too slow (<10.5 mph)
• See wake face wash guide

Pro Tips

✅ Add weight gradually: Increase by 10-15% at a time, test, repeat

✅ Ballast before wedge: Wedge amplifies wake created by ballast—need adequate ballast first

✅ Even weight distribution: Don’t overload one area; balance surf side rear, center, and bow

✅ Fuel load helps: Full fuel tank (400-800 lbs) adds weight—run with full tank

✅ Clean systems: Verify ballast pumps fill completely, surf gates deploy fully

✅ Give it time: Takes 5 minutes of running for wake to stabilize after changes

Quick Reference Table

System Checks

If you’ve tried everything and wake is still small:

1. Ballast System:
   • Are tanks actually filling to capacity?
   • Check fill times (should take 10-20 min depending on system)
   • Look for leaks or pump issues
2. Surf Gate:
   • Is gate deploying fully?
   • Clean gate surfaces and actuator
   • Check error codes on display
3. Speed Control:
   • Verify speed with GPS (not just RPM)
   • Calibrate system if available
   • Check for slipping impeller
4. Hull Issues:
   • Check for damage or modifications
   • Verify swim platform extensions are installed correctly

Related Troubleshooting Guides

• Wake Too Big
• Not Enough Push
• Wake Too Mellow
• Wake Face Wash

Still Having Issues?

If your wake is still too small after trying these solutions, 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