Floating Wedge

[dpr]

Can I put a Floating Wedge on a 2005 Wakesetter VLX?

Is this a better option for replacing / repairing a trashed manual wedge?

I've also heard about "3" screws per side manual wedge v 2 per side. Is this an option?

Where is the best place to get one? Di I have to go direct with Malibu or one of it's dealers?

What is the cost differential? Also, can I install it myself fairly easily?

Many thanks for the feedback!

DPR

[WakeGirl]

Can I put a Floating Wedge on a 2005 Wakesetter VLX?

Yes.

Is this a better option for replacing / repairing a trashed manual wedge?

Yes, definitely. Read my review when I did that exact thing on our '06 VLX here.

I've also heard about "3" screws per side manual wedge v 2 per side. Is this an option?

On the floating wedge, the foil is welded to the arms - no bolts. That eliminates the bolt-shearing problem.

Where is the best place to get one? Di I have to go direct with Malibu or one of it's dealers?

Dealer, they're extremely hard to come by otherwise. You'll need a new mounting plate, the old style won't work with the floating wedge.

What is the cost differential? Also, can I install it myself fairly easily?

You're looking at about $1100-1200 for the parts, & it should be a plug-n-play deal. There is a link in that review thread to the original thread that talks about installation, it was not a big deal at all.

Given what I know about how the floating wedge performs on that boat, I wouldn't even hesitate to go forward with that decision. It's more money out of pocket, but you should be able to sell the old mounting plate & recoup a little of the difference. It's well worth it IMO.

[dpr]

Can I put a Floating Wedge on a 2005 Wakesetter VLX?

Yes.

Is this a better option for replacing / repairing a trashed manual wedge?

Yes, definitely. Read my review when I did that exact thing on our '06 VLX here.

I've also heard about "3" screws per side manual wedge v 2 per side. Is this an option?

On the floating wedge, the foil is welded to the arms - no bolts. That eliminates the bolt-shearing problem.

Where is the best place to get one? Di I have to go direct with Malibu or one of it's dealers?

Dealer, they're extremely hard to come by otherwise. You'll need a new mounting plate, the old style won't work with the floating wedge.

What is the cost differential? Also, can I install it myself fairly easily?

You're looking at about $1100-1200 for the parts, & it should be a plug-n-play deal. There is a link in that review thread to the original thread that talks about installation, it was not a big deal at all.

Given what I know about how the floating wedge performs on that boat, I wouldn't even hesitate to go forward with that decision. It's more money out of pocket, but you should be able to sell the old mounting plate & recoup a little of the difference. It's well worth it IMO.

Thanks so myuch for the reply and link to other comments. Will let everyone know how it goes. DPR

[dpr]

Can I put a Floating Wedge on a 2005 Wakesetter VLX?

Yes.

Is this a better option for replacing / repairing a trashed manual wedge?

Yes, definitely. Read my review when I did that exact thing on our '06 VLX here.

I've also heard about "3" screws per side manual wedge v 2 per side. Is this an option?

On the floating wedge, the foil is welded to the arms - no bolts. That eliminates the bolt-shearing problem.

Where is the best place to get one? Di I have to go direct with Malibu or one of it's dealers?

Dealer, they're extremely hard to come by otherwise. You'll need a new mounting plate, the old style won't work with the floating wedge.

What is the cost differential? Also, can I install it myself fairly easily?

You're looking at about $1100-1200 for the parts, & it should be a plug-n-play deal. There is a link in that review thread to the original thread that talks about installation, it was not a big deal at all.

Given what I know about how the floating wedge performs on that boat, I wouldn't even hesitate to go forward with that decision. It's more money out of pocket, but you should be able to sell the old mounting plate & recoup a little of the difference. It's well worth it IMO.

Thanks for the info. Here's where I am... One Malibu dealer tells me I can install Floating Wedge myself and ALL the screws / holes will line up with the new required brackets and bolts. I'm being told by another dealer that Malibu (factory) says that existing bolts will NOT match up and new holes will need to be drilled.

Question: Is there two different models of the Floating Wedge? One that fits earleir model bolts and another that doesn't?

There is also a dealer on eBay (seems legitimate, with positive ratings) and they indicate that the holes / bolts will NOT match up and will require new holes to be drilled in transom. Is this correct?

I'm ok with paying extra for the floating wedge, but ONLY if I don't have to drill new holes in the transom...

anyone out there have a definative answer for me???

Many thanks for the advice

[Ronnie]

I put one on my '04 23WSLSV. It bolted right up. 20 minute job at most.

[srab]

Thanks for the info. Here's where I am... One Malibu dealer tells me I can install Floating Wedge myself and ALL the screws / holes will line up with the new required brackets and bolts. I'm being told by another dealer that Malibu (factory) says that existing bolts will NOT match up and new holes will need to be drilled.

Question: Is there two different models of the Floating Wedge? One that fits earleir model bolts and another that doesn't?

There is also a dealer on eBay (seems legitimate, with positive ratings) and they indicate that the holes / bolts will NOT match up and will require new holes to be drilled in transom. Is this correct?

I'm ok with paying extra for the floating wedge, but ONLY if I don't have to drill new holes in the transom...

anyone out there have a definative answer for me???

Many thanks for the advice

If you'll follow Tracie's (WakeGirl) earlier link here, and you scroll down to see the pictures of her installed floating

wedge, you will notice that, because of the shelf-like overhang on the transom of her boat (and yours

and mine), a) it would be impossible to mount the floating wedge bracket any higher; B) it would be

possible to mount it lower, but, as mounted on her boat, the lower edge of the bracket sits within an

inch or so of the lower edge of her transom, so we're not taking about a significant difference in position,

even if you insisted on mounting it lower. Also, the bolt holes from the old bracket line up perfectly with

the bolt holes on the new bracket.

Not sure about every model in the Malibu line, but for the 21 LSV/VLX and the 23 LSV/Wakesetter, it's

pretty much a direct bolt-on, using the existing bolt holes, to upgrade to the floating wedge.

And, there is only one model of the floating wedge available.

Edited June 18, 2009 by srab