2006 VLX clean wake weight/speed
 

So i have been reading forums about how the VLX has a good clean wake at low speeds. To get my wake to be narrow, clean, and big I have to be running at 23 mph. Also, i had to throw another 400 lb in the nose to keep it from bobbing. This is with the wedge down and all 4 internal ballasts full. Do you guys have any experience with getting a good wake in the 21 mph range?

the slower you go the wider the wake will be...nothing you can really do about that. I typically ride my VLX at about 23.5 and a rope length of 75'. You can shorten your rope length to get to a more narrow spot on the wake if you wanted to.

Narrow and slow just don't go well together on any boat. I have the same rig and have ran the exact same set up at 22 mph and the wake gets really poppy and still clean at that speed, of course a little wider than normal. Power wedge?

My friend has a 210 SANTE that is a treat to ride behind as you only need to run at like 21 mph. Makes for those failed wake to wake180s not hurt quite as bad! haha

I never run the wedge. 750s in each locker and 1000lb triangle in the nose. All on top of running stock ballast. I have a good clean wake at all speeds with this setup. Not too mention it's quite big. 2007 VLX

Try not using the wedge.

Only use the wedge for surfing.

Ya, the 210 is super narrow. Run stock ballast and wedge 2/3 to 3/4 down at 21-22 and shorten up your line is your best option.

something doesn't seem right.

first, use a good gps (preferably with tenths) to verify and calibrate your speedometer. Then check your rope length, measure it. At 21 mph with stock ballast only and wedge, you should be able to get a nice big clean wake. I would suggest about 65' total rope length with handle… you may want to run shorter like 60' if you feel the wake is too wide. But 21 at 65' with stock plus wedge should be a real fun clean wake.

Full stock (the mid tank maybe had a little drained, I flipped it on to drain and forgot I wanted to get this pic), plus 350-400 far forward in the bow (I don't have the stock bow tank), wedge all the way down, I am sure I could have bumped it up a click and the wake would have peaked up more. Speed at 17.8. In summary, I couldn't imagine ever wanted to ride that slow. Ha ha.

Like others have said, it comes down to a few factors. At ~21mph you don't really need extra ballast. Stock+wedge will be as big as an extra 1.5k would be at 23-24mph. Personally, I love the shape that the wedge provides-a little steeper and peakier. If you are going for a more last gen X-Star shape (long and rampy) keep the wedge up. That'll also allow you to go slower without getting washy. If you have to go 23mph with the stock setup, I'd guess your speedo is off or you have a few people concentrated in the back of the boat. You can always drain a little out of the back tanks to help clean the wake up and prevent bobbing although I'd be surprised if that was necessary.

Right now in our '05 VLX I run the stock 4 tanks (1250lbs)+wedge+a 725 in the walk through and about 500 pushed against the back seat at 23.5mph and the wake is phenomenal. With this setup though, you can't go any slower than about 22.5 before it gets washy and too wide to clear at 72.5 ft (67.5 by Proline measurement) of rope.

I ride our 08 vlx at 23.4 with stock weight (no stock front) + 1/2 full 750 bag in each rear locker + 750lb in the front, wedge all the way down..

I have an 07, here is what I run.

Big prop, I think acme 1635
Full stock system minus the front hard tank (mid and back)
1100# triangle in the nose (better be a good driver, easily sink the boat this way)
450# in each trunk
800-1000# on the floor
Power wedge at about 1/4 the way
23 mph at 75-80 line