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WATERSKI MagazineStart by Relaxing Sit back in the driver's seat and place your right arm on the armrest. Hold the throttle and wheel with your thumbs and index fingers. This will help you make smaller, easier speed and steering adjustments.
Don't fixate on the speedometer. Glance at the mirror, then ahead, then at the instruments. Learn to use the tachometer and the sound of the engine to help keep your speed constant.
As the rider pulls against the boat, increase the throttle setting just enough to keep the boat at a consistent speed. When the rider comes off edge or leaves the wake, ease up on the throttle a bit.
Once you have found the best section of water for riding, pick out a shore landmark to steer toward. Keep the bow headed at this reference point, and use it to check your course every time you look up after scanning the instruments or checking the mirror.
When the rider falls, pull the throttle back to neutral as soon as possible, then turn the boat at slow speed and idle back to the rider. High-speed turn-arounds don't save that much time, and they create big rollers.
Who needs the stress of a riding buddy screaming and throwing the handle because he doesn't like the way you drive? It's enough to keep you from ever wanting to take a turn behind the wheel. Lucky for you, we're about to relieve the stress of driving for wakeboarders by offering the following simple tips.
Double-Ups Add throttle as you enter the turn. This will keep the boat from sinking and slowing down. It is very important to maintain the correct speed when the rider hits the double-up.
Accelerating while the rider is in the air can pull him out of the trick and will increase the chances of injury. Deceleration during the double-up will cause the rider to land inside the wake.
At the end of the turn, approach your oncoming wake head-on. Different riders prefer slightly different angles of approach to the double-up, but the boat should never cross at more than a 90-degree angle.
