By Luke
In terms of the basic functionality of wakeboard boats, there are three things that will never change: They will always have enough propulsion to pull a rider, they will always throw out a wake and they will most definitely float. But when it comes to the features that complement these basic principles, the possibilities of making your time on the water more enjoyable are endless.
Every year more and more features are added to wakeboard boats, and each time they take a little more of the simplicity away from just getting in your boat and pulling your buddy. Now, however, wakeboard boat manufacturers are focusing on creating a simpler way to manage all the cool and fun gadgets their boats come with. The installation of dashboard systems in the past two years has changed how people go wakeboarding.
Now, driving is, well, fun. You have a massive screen in front of you with all the bells and whistles easily controlled at your fingertips. You can fill the ballast, set your speed control, control the stereo and even check out where you are on a GPS map. Some of these screens are connected to an on-board camera where you can watch the rider. It’s insane! The touch screens are just as good as iPhones, and you can just hit an “on” button rather than using a key. It makes you feel like Marty McFly.
Each wakeboard boat company has something to offer that the other brands don’t in their unique systems, but they do stay consistent with the general functions they control. The most important bases are covered with each model.
One of the most basic functions of a dashboard screen is the gauge cluster. It provides the driver with information on engine water temperature, battery voltage, fuel level, oil pressure and rpms. Most dashboard screens have some sort of speed or cruise control, whether it be PerfectPass, Zero Off or a system developed by the wakeboarding boat manufacturer. Ballast level control is also a standard feature on dashboard screens, as well as stereo controls. Aside from those standards, each boat really differentiates itself from other manufacturers by having multiple options controlled by the screen.
On top of all the benefits of being able to control everything so easily, the screens look really cool too, especially at night. The thing that was once designed to help you use all the different features of your boat is now a great feature itself. The bottom line is, once you drive a boat with a dashboard control screen you’ll never want to drive a boat without one. They make life easier, they look really cool and they’re fun to use. Check out the best wakeboard boat dash systems of 2011 on the following pages.
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