When it comes to watersports in the South, a lot can go through your mind when deciding what boat is right for you. Families with children might be focused more on teaching their young ones to wake surf, and someone who has mastered wake surfing might be looking at taking up water skiing. When buying your next new or used boat, consider what you want to accomplish on the water to decide if a wake boat or ski boat is right for you.
Difference Between A Ski Boat vs. Wake Boat
The main difference between a ski boat and a wake boat is the size, wake, and inboard engine placement. A wake boat creates big waves that allow those behind it to surf or wakeboard. A ski boat is much smaller and makes very minimal waves that allow for waterskiing, slalom skiing, tubing, and more.
Ski boats are designed to sit higher on the water and feature a shallower hull compared to wake boats. The engine of a ski boat is positioned in the middle of the vessel and is paired with a direct-drive transmission. This setup allows for quick acceleration while minimizing the wakes produced behind the boat. The downside is that due to a centered engine, boat owners will find that they can not bring many passengers on board. A typically modern ski boat will hold between 6 and 7 passengers. Ski boats also come with a flatter hull to cut through water and minimize wakes, and have little to no ballast. You will also notice the placement of the pylon. Ski boats use a lower tow pylon located around the middle or back of the boat to maintain a straight pull for slalom skiing.
Wake boats, on the other hand, will sit lower in the water and create big pockets behind the boat. Years ago, companies sold ballast bags and filled the back of the boat with them to weigh it down. Luckily, with today’s technology, that is not the case anymore. With brands like MasterCraft, Supra, and Moomba, boaters will have everything they need designed into their boats. Wake boats have a lot of benefits to them as well. When owning a wake boat, you are typically going to have enough room for 10 to 17 passengers. This, unlike the ski boat, is a positive for those looking to bring a lot of people on the water with them.
Wake boats often use V-drive engines, which are mounted in the rear for weight distribution and better formation. You will notice that the pylon can sometimes be found at the top of the tower. This allows you to attach the rope at a high point to aid in your trick and jumping when wakeboarding.
Wakeboarding tends to be easier than wakesurfing or waterskiing, so it is a great area to start if you are new to watersports. You can gradually work your way up to new watersports activities from there. Wakesurfing has taken the boating industry by storm, and there are many reasons for this. Wakesurfing is a great way for friends and family to get together on the water. It is an excellent form of exercise and socializing with those you love.
Which One Suits You?
While boat options are great, it depends on what to plan to use your boat for. Nowadays, brands like MasterCraft or Supra try to cater to all types of watersports. Skier’s Marine is happy to offer an array of models from brands you love that can help you narrow these decisions down. We are one of the largest wakeboat dealers in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi. And we are a top ski boat dealer thanks to our partnership with MasterCraft. Visit any of our nine dealerships to discover the brands for yourself.
Choose A Wake Boat If
- You primarily wakeboard or wakesurf
- You want a larger size boat for a lot of passengers
- You do not mind a deeper draft
- You like advanced tech features like surf systems and more
Choose A Ski Boat If
- You primarily water ski, espcially slalom skiing
- You want a small, flat wake for smooth cuts and turns
- You prefer precise handling at higher speeds
- You boat in shallower areas where a lower draft is beneficial