Response wedge or no-wedge

[Bill22]

With the wedge up on a Response does the weight of the wedge mess up the slalom wake?

 

I am guessing that it would not weight it down any more than a full tank of gas would. So, if I got a boat with the wedge I could just never run with more than 1/2 tank gas and the wake would be OK..?

[Dacon62]

Fart in a wind storm....not enough of a dif to worry about.

[Bulldog]

No difference at all.

[Ed_Obermeier]

I can't tell any difference in wake in my '05 LXI with the tank full or at 1/4 so IMO that is a non-issue. But I don't have a wedge bracket mounted so don't have that additional weight to deal with.

[rodltg2]

I noticed a huge difference at 15 and 22 when I removed tower and wedge from my 05. Combined it probably makes a bigger difference than wedge alone.

[6balls]

I ski a buddies LX that has a wedge regularly...no issue on wake. He's a family guy who keeps the back seat in there as well.

[Ed_Johnson]

When I had a 05 LXi with the Wedge, I put 60 lbs of weight in the Nose to counter balance any effect it might have...Worked absolutely great that way.

[Wayne]

I have one on the back of my 2009 LXI. We didn't add it until about a year after getting the boat. It just barely drags in the water and kicks up a little spray. Otherwise I noticed no significant impact to the wake on my boat due to the added weight.

[Bill22]

That is good news. I am glad I asked you guys. I read some forum a while back and it said don't get a boat w/ the wedge if your a slalom skier. Many of the used Malibu's have it.

 

thanks everyone,

[davemac]

My 03 RLXi has a wedge. I took it off...neglible change.

[masachan]

Biggest effect on the wake is the level of fuel in the tank. From experience, best to keep it below 1/4 tank. If not the wake size is pretty large.

[DW]

Any weight added to the transom will have a detrimental effect to the slalom wake, the fuel comments support that. The wedge addition per pound of weight will have a slightly greater effect than the fuel since it is farther back. Is it significant, probably not based on comments and it is make of aluminum so should be fairly light. If you don't use it, simply remove the wedge portion and leave the bracket, at least that way you get rid of most of the weight. Does anybody have the weights of the wedge components handy, you can compare to similar effect of fuel at 6#/gallon.

[h2odawg79]

They are so light, for most of us and our use, I don't think it is worth this much discussion.

 

If I were primarily going to the Course. I "might" (but, I doubt it) remove it and leave it @ home until "Family day". But I guess, "IF" this kind of thing can get into ones head, then I'd surely hate to see how they react when the wind blows a little or the water is too cold or too warm, the Sun is too Hot or too Low in the Sky, there's a High pressure system in the forecast or a "Sale @ Penny's"! =-D

 

I don't trip over the Fuel level, don't even remove the Back seat most of the time anymore. Seriously, it's just Not that big of Deal or worth all the "Head Trippin"...

 

Keeping the Boat balanced and having a nicely tuned Rudder is far more useful.

[davemac]

@DW at your request, I weight out my (manual) wedge. It is close to 16lbs, and extends out 18". As mentioned, I removed mine and didn't really notice a difference (but I'm a fan of placebos).

Like EZ-Ed and h20Dawg mentioned, the wake (03-06 RLXi) doesn't seem to vary too much with fuel amounts....not that I top off the 42 gal tank often. More concerned w/ the L to R balance.