Dallas Friday, Chard Sharpe Ballast Set-up

[old skool malibu]

Just curious if anyone knows the ballast and wedge set up the Malibu sponsored riders such as Chad Sharpe, Dallas Friday etc ride? I have heard most pros dont use the wedge, is this correct? I am sure they run extra ballast ontop of the factory setup.

[skyskier]

A pro (not Malibu sponsored, but he has his name on stuff) rode with me and asked for ballast, wedge (manual), and 12 people in the boat. He was EXTREMELY happy with the wake and put on quite a show.

[Liquidmx]

The general current consensus with a lot of the pro's (that keep their boats on their lake) is to fill the boat up with evenly distributed weight (around 50/50 or 60/40) until the boat will not plane anymore. Then take a little out.

As far as specific pro's I only know of two setup's. One is the published Gerry Nunn/ Keith Lyman boat on alliance (23 LSV with a big block I think). The other would be Harris's here:

http://www.wakeworld.com/getarticle.asp?articleid=1560

I doubt his total weight number is accurate though

46*45= 2070 lbs of lead. He is likely running a 1k sac in the bow and 750's in the back. This puts him around 4500lbs ON TOP of stock ballast tanks (say 1k) = 5500 lbs of weight. Which sounds pretty accurate based on some first hand stories I have heard.

Regardless, weighting a boat should come slowly. You dont just wake up one day and throw 2-3k lbs on top of your stock setup and start riding. It usually evolves over time like drinking. You start out with an extra sack, then add another. Next thing you know your tolerance is higher, your trick bag is deeper, your riding faster at longer lengths and enjoy a bigger wake.

[old skool malibu]

By no means do i need that much ballast. Just curious how much more the pros add over stock or are there pros that just ride with the stock set-up and wedge. I simply cant afford to ride around with any more than stock nor do i need any more than stock but looking at some of the videos and pictures there wakes look pretty sweet!