Malibu Echelon Ballast question

(kylenautique) · (kylenautique) **Join Date: May 2008** 09-15-2008, 12:13 PM

My friend has a 94 Malibu Echelon with the Wedge. We run 2 540lb fat sacs on the side of the motor box and the wedge down. How much weight should I put in the bow to make the wake not wash or the boat porpus when we have 4 or more people in it? Does any one have any wake photos too?

(jeff359) · (jeff359) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 09-15-2008, 12:36 PM

I used to slide the fat sacks forward as far as I could with the Wedge down. That worked good with a couple pop bags stashed in the bow. Be carefull, you'l sit low and take you will take on water, no matter how well you drive.

(sippi) · (sippi) **Join Date: Dec 2007** 09-15-2008, 9:47 PM

I disagree...I run 560 on both sides of the engine, between 560-650 in place of the back seat and 540 in the bow. if we have a few people in the back then I try to keep the same ratio by not filling the back bag up as much and putting it between the back seat and engine. the only time I've taken on water over the bow is when my brother was driving and wasn't paying attention. if you are careful you won't take any over. Ill try to get some pics up of the wake. its a response lx...not the same boat but really close.

(scooby76) · (scooby76) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 09-16-2008, 9:46 AM

When I had my Echelon (open bow) we didn't even run the wedge. We ran the Big sack along side the engine. a Tube sack in the ski locker (may 400 lb) and another side sack (250lb) in the walk through. Never had a problem with porpousing. I still think that wake was awesome. The boat ran low but was that and awesome wake.

(kylenautique) · (kylenautique) **Join Date: May 2008** 09-16-2008, 10:37 AM

Cool! Yeah we don't have a ski locker on ours. Its a 94 with a closed bow. I think the wedge is making the wake soft. I also hate driving with the wedge down. I want to try replace using the wedge with weight. I would be stoked to see some photos of the wake on your Echelon and Response if you have any so I get an idea what the wake will look like.

(sippi) · (sippi) **Join Date: Dec 2007** 09-16-2008, 1:33 PM

I'll try and post some pics tonight. I have a video that I need to put on my computer that I can take some stills out of...

(151) · (151) **Join Date: Jun 2008** 09-17-2008, 3:51 AM

I had a 93 for a while. No wedge(didnt have it), 500+ in the bow and a fat seat(1500 I think) That was one of the best wakes I have ever seen.

(kylenautique) · (kylenautique) **Join Date: May 2008** 09-18-2008, 10:42 AM

So running the wedge, 540s on the side of the motor box and 500lb in the bow should be good? How bad will the nose dip with that much weight in the bow? Keep in mind I'm used to driving a 88 ski nautique with 400 in the back, 540s on the side of the motor box and 250 in the bow with at least 4 people.