Have wake-boats gotten too big?

[Bret Cole]

It's starting to feel like wake-boats have gotten way too big with most of the boats dry weight over 4000 lbs and you need a diesel rig to tow it. I miss the days when wake-boats were a lot smaller and you could tow them anywhere with either a full size S.U.V or a Half Ton truck perfectly fine.

[Larry Arizona]

What are you struggling to tow with a half ton?


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[rdlangston13]

It's starting to feel like wake-boats have gotten way too big with most of the boats dry weight over 4000 lbs and you need a diesel rig to tow it. I miss the days when wake-boats were a lot smaller and you could tow them anywhere with either a full size S.U.V or a Half Ton truck perfectly fine.

6940 lbs with a half ton. No problem. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200909/38fc14c90137302b73a61e83f1a3f2ba.jpg


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[Larry Arizona]

I pulled 7700# SA\lead with 1/2 ton and it was fine.


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[DDNorCal]

I think it all depends on the specs of the truck and where and what you are towing. Limited elevation change and not much cargo a 1/2 ton should be fine. But if you haul a lot of people and gear you start to max the 1/2 ton out. Assuming you have 10k+ of tow capacity that is not an issue. Payload can be the issue. If I have an 8k pound boat and it is weighed properly you have 10-15% of tongue weight (800-1200 lbs). A half ton has around 1700-2000 of payload capacity that leaves about 1000 lbs for people and gear. 4 adults and a couple of coolers is close to max. I ended upgrading the truck when we went to a SL. We occasionally camp with a weeks worth of food, beer, ice and stuff. I was over capacity by a large amount.

[MJHKnox]

I also got a bigger truck when I went to the SL. I wanted the add'l payload, braking, pulling, and the 4x4 so I would not be slipping on the ramp.

I was just talking to my dealer the other day about trailer weight and backing down ramps. We both commented how it's a VERY WEIRD feeling backing down a steep boat ramp (gravel) as your truck slides with with the boat. It happened to both of us last weekend - SL and SE. One of those hang-on moments, then the boat hits the water and truck is able to stop b/c of less weight.

[rdlangston13]

I think it all depends on the specs of the truck and where and what you are towing. Limited elevation change and not much cargo a 1/2 ton should be fine. But if you haul a lot of people and gear you start to max the 1/2 ton out. Assuming you have 10k+ of tow capacity that is not an issue. Payload can be the issue. If I have an 8k pound boat and it is weighed properly you have 10-15% of tongue weight (800-1200 lbs). A half ton has around 1700-2000 of payload capacity that leaves about 1000 lbs for people and gear. 4 adults and a couple of coolers is close to max. I ended upgrading the truck when we went to a SL. We occasionally camp with a weeks worth of food, beer, ice and stuff. I was over capacity by a large amount.

10-15% is usually for enclosed trailers. Boats tend to be less. Mine is 8.75% and I have no sway.


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[michael hunter]

Today's surf ships are too big, too full of unneeded electronics and needs an engine that could move the titanic just to get out of its own way. Not to mention the tsunami size wave they make to reap hazard to anything in its path. All this comes with a cost that has put most out of the market. So it should be no surprise it needs heavy duty equipment to tow it . A half ton truck is nothing more than a car with a bed unless you modify it . They are made for a soft ride and better fuel mileage not hard core towing. If it doesn't have 8 lug nuts its not a real truck.

[Mischief IV]

Today's surf ships are too big, too full of unneeded electronics and needs an engine that could move the titanic just to get out of its own way. Not to mention the tsunami size wave they make to reap hazard to anything in its path. All this comes with a cost that has put most out of the market. So it should be no surprise it needs heavy duty equipment to tow it . A half ton truck is nothing more than a car with a bed unless you modify it you . They are made for a soft ride and better fuel mileage not hard core towing. If it doesn't have 8 lug nuts its not a real truck.

Finally! I was wondering if someone was gonna step up and answer the question presented.

[Jetlink]

Wait, there are now Wake Ships in addition to the Wake Boats?

[MJHKnox]

Dude is a troll. Posted the same thread, word-for-word, on other boat manufacturer pages too.

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[Larry Arizona]

I noticed it on the Supra and moomba forum.

I took it as a butt hurt dreamer who can’t afford to the pay to play.


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[michael hunter]

Yep that's me the butt hurt troll and its true I cant afford a 175k plus new boat I cant even afford the yearly deprecation on it? Fortunately I already own all the boats I need. If you want to Pay to play then go ahead I don't play the payment game anymore.

[Larry Arizona]

Yep that's me the butt hurt troll and its true I cant afford a 175k plus new boat I cant even afford the yearly deprecation on it? Fortunately I already own all the boats I need. If you want to Pay to play then go ahead I don't play the payment game anymore.

My comment was directed at the OP.


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[michael hunter]

Wait, there are now Wake Ships in addition to the Wake Boats?

You haven't seen the 2021 Megasurf it has everything including the kitchen sink.

https://i.imgur.com/ZA3Xebh.jpg?1

[j.mo]

Yep that's me the butt hurt troll and its true I cant afford a 175k plus new boat I cant even afford the yearly deprecation on it? Fortunately I already own all the boats I need. If you want to Pay to play then go ahead I don't play the payment game anymore.These things depreciate?

Where, when? [emoji1787]

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[Larry Arizona]

Boat market is crazy, you can get what you paid new 2-3 years ago.

High demand from pandemic, new prices increased means you can sell used fast and for what you paid.


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[michael hunter]

Back in the late 90's Harley Davidson was so hot and in demand you could get more than you paid . That only lasted a couple years until supply met and then exceeded demand today they almost worthless and the company is almost bankrupt. Don't get caught up in it boats are a high depreciating toy . Very few ever break even .

[Larry Arizona]

Never planned to break even, just a lucky break we got in the current market.

Happy to spend the depreciation for the quality of family time we get each summer.


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[MJHKnox]

Back in the late 90's Harley Davidson was so hot and in demand you could get more than you paid . That only lasted a couple years until supply met and then exceeded demand today they almost worthless and the company is almost bankrupt. Don't get caught up in it boats are a high depreciating toy . Very few ever break even .

Was that a supply/demand issue or did HD hit the recession of 2007/2008 and never figured out how to rebrand as markets changed? The HD rise was from the popular high-end for 'baby-boomers', and now that crowd is older. The HD crazy never caught on to the millennials. Electric motorcycles - give me a break. Let me hear the roar of those pipes.

Agree, I laugh at the people thinking these boats are easy flips. Or the people getting news ones each year. They are taking that first year deprecation hit like any other motor vehicle even if they are getting a rock-solid price from the dealer each year. Right now is an anomaly with all the COVID stuff around and people wanted to spend family time on the lake.

The thing about Supra, they are a niche b/c they do not make that many of them. Demand is controlled.

[rykermcdermott]

Yes they are too big, but being able to fit the whole family on the boat with plenty of creature comforts is a nice bonus.