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I realize this is a well worn topic. I've searched the forum and greatly appreciate what I was able to find. But I thought I'd double check with a post and also have some specific questions. I currently have a '14 247 LSV. I'm am moving to a much smaller lake and don't need such a large boat and my wife (college water ski team) would like something she can ski behind. I ski and surf and our kids surf and board. Given how overinflated used boat prices currently are, I expect to buy a new boat. While more expensive, of course, it seems like a better value. So, within reason, my choices are not limited. My questions are: How do the 20 VTX and 21 LX compare for surf wake and slalom wake? The Malibu dealer is recommending the wake hull over the diamond hull and says it produces a much better surf wake and about the same slalom wake. That seems hard to believe. Is he really saying the diamond hull produces a lousy surf wake? What is the reality here and which would be better? Searching the internet, I see other boats listed as good crossover boats (Nautique GS20 & GS 22; Mastercraft XT20 and XT 21; Tige RZX; Supra SR). I have always been a Malibu owner. I know nothing of these other boats. Are there any other boats I should consider? All else equal, I'd prefer a larger boat (22') than a smaller one (20') for more space. Thank you in advance. I always appreciate any help I can get and the power of a good forum.

Ill head off the, "Just by a TXi" comments. I might look at one in a number of years, but right now the v-drive layout and higher freeboard is better for 80% of what we do. I know by adding tabs I won't get a TXi like wake. I am thinking of putting some Bennett hydraulic tabs on my 2013 VTX to improve the slalom wakes. Right now ill ski at 34mph and 28 or 32 off, and the Slalom wake is ok, but I am pretty certain it could be better. In reading posts from Team Talk, and BOS, it seems that there could be a noticeable improvement. I am thinking about doing this in combination with some other weight reduction exercises, and have even considered removing the tower to save weight (and make it easier to get in and out of the garage), but removing the tower brings all sorts of other problems to solve. The couple of features on the new SN (Hydro-Gate and MicroTuners) got me thinking about adding tabs. I am thinking the tabs are relatively low risk, if they make the wake worse, or don't make a noticeable difference, I am out $800, but can probably sell the kit on ebay, and spend a bit of money to have the gel repaired. BOAT... https://www.amazon.com/Bennett-129atp-Hydraulic-Trim-Complete/dp/B07G7ZPGNM 1. Has anyone on here added tabs to improve slalom wakes? 2. For the folks that have after market tabs for surfing, if you put them down a touch while slaloming, is there a noticeable improvement in the slalom wake? 3. Does anyone have thoughts on placement, or possibly shape modifications that might be good for the 12x9 tabs. My schoolin' in hydrodynamics is a bit lacking. I have no idea what it will do to the trough, wake height, firmness etc. we will see! 4. Any thoughts on electric vs. hydraulic? Thanks crew!

Considering purchasing either an LX or LXi (98 to 2007 on both) looking for a great slalom wake at 15/22 off at 32 MPH in an open bow for versatility and family. I can't find any for sale or test ski, in my area but have skied behind a 2000 Sport Nautique and a 2000 Ski Nautique. Any comparisons, especially to the Sport as it is also open bow. Appreciate the input! Considering purchasing a boat long distance but want to understand what to expect before I make the 10+ hour trip.

So, today I strap on the burner and put the system 8 in the trunk. I pull out for the gates and go to one. I brace myself for the yank once I round the ball, but there isnt one because I never sunk in the water. 32mph PP speed. The ski finishes nicely and I head for two amazed. Things repeat. No PB's but a total eye opener. The big problem I have is that I ski flat. My videos show how flat I get going into and on top of the wake in both directions. Humbling, but my vids showed me alot. Well, the burner will throw you off if you are flat going into the wake. I went OTF twice today, laughing all the way. I also realized that I was 10' out past the bouys for the first time ever instead of skiing right to the ball. Also, as soon as I got up, the ski just felt like it was gliding and not plowing. The S8 is going to ride shotgun for a few weeks and I will give the burner a chance. If I dont fix my going flat on the burner, I will end up in the hospital THANKS!

How To Run The Slalom Course: a mini, virtual-clinic on how to ski the course. Right after the second wake: Figure 1 The elbows are in tight and I am resisting my upper body getting pulled forward. I am going to keep this position almost out to the buoy line, the thing that will change is my body's angle to the water. Here I am setting up my body to allow the ski to swing under me and continue outward on the trajectory I set up off the last ball. I will use my arms to start making up the increasing distance between my ski and the boat. Figure 1 Figure 2 Same time period of the above picture but from a different angle. You can see how the ski is already starting to swing under me as the boat is progressing down course, the ski is going to keep going outward. My elbows are in tight, so, the pull is coming through my center of gravity. This is important because it means that I just have resist. Figure 2 Figure 3 I have now let go with my down arm and am slowly reaching because I want to use my arms to bridge the distance from the boat to my ski. I want to allow the ski to keep going as far outbound as possible to maximize my angle on the next ball. If I reach too quickly here I will make up more room than the boat has progressed away from me and the ski will stop going outbound and start turning in. I will also start to fall forward because the rope is not there to keep my arm pulled tight. This will drop my shoulder closer to the water and get my balance off and move my weight forward on the ski driving the tip down and increasing the sharpness of the turn. It is important to know at this point that these shots are at 32 or 35 off and that the only difference is the degree of lean away from and toward the boat. At 15-22 off the same principles apply only the degree of lean/leverage changes. Figure 3 Figure 4 I am still just slowly reaching out trying to keep allowing the ski to go outbound. You can see though that the ski is starting to come back in and look where the buoy is! Notice where my arm that is not on the handle is. I want to keep it tucked in tight so that my shoulders stay level and my head stays level. This keeps my weight from coming forward and that keeps the ski from biting too hard and getting either too much angle or getting the angle too quickly before I am in a position to hang on to it. Figure 4 Figure 5 This picture shows my off arm coming away from my body and now there is not a straight line that can be drawn through my body. My shoulders are starting to come forward and notice the water is starting to climb up higher on the ski tip. The one good thing I have going for me here is that my shoulders are still counter-rotated. Figure 5 Figure 6 I have finished the turn now and am waiting for the boat to progress down course. I have kept my lean that I established coming into the ball and I am just going to maintain that. I do not want to over turn here by pushing on the ski and I do not want to start rotating my shoulders cross course. I will wait for the boat to pick me up and then I will evaluate what I need to do then, hopefully nothing but enjoy the nice acceleration cross course. Figure 6 Figure 7 I wanted to use this picture to demonstrate how early the ski has changed edge and where the arc of turning back in starts. The spray off the ski starts just behind the boat from this perspective. I am skiing 38 off in this picture so I picked up speed quickly and you will not need to start your edge change this early but I wanted you to get the idea that even at 15 at 22 off you want to start your edge change 6-10 feet after the second wake so that you can have a bulk of your turn completed before the buoy. Figure 7 Figure 8 Right behind the boat! Elbows are in tight to my vest, I am looking down course and the handle is right next to my hips. The further away the handle gets from your hips here the more the boat is loading your upper body and the more forward you are going to have to ride on the ski - the boats are too strong. Figure 8