need advice for my low budget wake machine

(alms5150) · (alms5150) **Join Date: Apr 2008** 04-28-2008, 8:50 PM

I got a 92 ski centurion trying to fix it up for some intermediate wakeboarding on the cheap ya know what I mean. Was Thinking about a used Big Pole and taking the back seat out to replace it with like 500 lbs of ballast. Help a brother out, am I just putting too much effort in something that just isn't going to pan out anyways and make the boat ride like crap and throw a sloppy wake.

(sidekicknicholas)

high pole works, used are cheap too...

I would go with like AT LEAST 500 if not more in the rear, and the front throw another 300 or so...assuming its closed bow that should be easy...

Best bet would be like
600 rear
400 front

(alms5150) · (alms5150) **Join Date: Apr 2008** 04-28-2008, 9:31 PM

I heard that if you put too much ballast in the rear you break your swim step since its not designed to be that low in the water. Is there any truth to that or should I just go with the weight and prove all the haters wrong?

(azpowerhouse) · (azpowerhouse) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 04-28-2008, 9:40 PM

Use a pole, and what nick said for ballast. works good.

(sbt3) · (sbt3) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 04-29-2008, 4:09 AM

I don't think you'll break your swim platform. My 97 supersport platform is always underwater and I have had no problems.

(iluvrussell) · (iluvrussell) **Join Date: Sep 2007** 04-29-2008, 5:16 AM

once you get on a plain the platform shouldnt even be in the water, right? idk about an older boat like that though.

(stroh) · (stroh) **Join Date: Apr 2008** 04-29-2008, 6:02 AM

Steve,

I have an extra pole I'd part with for cheap. It's in really great condition. email me at bstroud@blueriver.net if you're interested. I can get you pictures today too.

(mjmurphy53711) · (mjmurphy53711) **Join Date: Mar 2004** 04-29-2008, 8:08 AM

The 92 Centurion is going to be tough, I used to have one and if you ever saw the pictures of it I had it nearly sunk to get a decent wake out of it.

Bottom line it is just too flat of a hull, the good news is it drives great, is a great barefoot boat.

If wakeboarding is what you want, sell it and by an older nautique.

(j_money) · (j_money) **Join Date: May 2006** 04-29-2008, 8:20 AM

call ken land from bullet lines. just hooked me and a buddy up with close to 1400 pounds of ballast for about $120. Also a friend of mine has a joystick pole if interested. Shipping might be pricey for it due to size but let me know if your interested.

(machete_mo) · (machete_mo) **Join Date: Mar 2008** 05-01-2008, 7:51 AM

Steve, I have a 90 ski centurion. I put a decent tower on it. I dont thing we will ever be able to get a huge wake outta them because the front sits so low in the water. I put a sack on each side of the motor at that seems to do the trick. But on the other hand, last yr my boy went out on his second run and stuck a sick tantrum no ballist just 3 on the boat. Older boat = cheap fun and no freeloaders!

(polarbill) · (polarbill) **Join Date: Jun 2003** 05-01-2008, 8:01 AM

Steve, Here is a Ten Foot Pole Byerly edition. I had one on my mastercraft growing up. It is a quality product. Cheap and in the Seattle area.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/657137310.html

And here is a ballast bag that looks to be in teh 500-700 # range. Comes with a pump and again is in the Seattle area.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/662757376.html

(Message edited by polarbill on May 01, 2008)

(phenom_1819) · (phenom_1819) **Join Date: Jan 2008** 05-01-2008, 9:07 AM

It will be OK for you as an intermediate wake, but I second what midwestwakeboarder said. Used to have a '96 Centurion Heritage (Falcon hull), which I would imagine is the same hull you have since they hadn't changed it in some time... The hull is simply too flat -- no V at the transom whatsoever. When you load it with any more than about 500 lbs, the wake would just wash out. And we'd have to watch the bow constantly... it would dip into even the smallest waves, even while sitting still. We could do plenty behind the boat, but the boat is really not ideal for wakeboarding. DAMN fun to drive though!!

That being said, pick up a fat sack and throw it on the back seat. Then judge for yourself if it will work for you or not.

Regardless, you will have plenty of fun doing the sport that we all know and love! :-)

(tinytdubb) · (tinytdubb) **Join Date: Jul 2007** 05-01-2008, 6:23 PM

Im going to try to get some picks of my wake. I have two 600 lb. sacks, one for each side of the motor. I am tentative to put too much weight in the nose. I think im going to start with 80-100. any thoughts on that? Boat is a 93 Centurion closed bow. Also there is about 6 foot from say the opening behind the seat to the nose. Should i push the weight all the way to the front? Sorry for the quazi hijack

(phenom_1819) · (phenom_1819) **Join Date: Jan 2008** 05-05-2008, 3:34 PM

nEwJ, you just reminded me. In addition to the single fat-sack in the back, we ran four 60-lb. sand bags in the bow (240 lbs.) -- two in each side compartment. Weight will amplify the further it is towards the front... we ran ours towards the back of the front compartments in the open bow.