I’m pulling the 2013 Red Bull Wake Open on July 5-6 with the Malibu Wakesetter 22 MXZ. The Wake Open is a progressive contest with lots of different disciplines, but traditional boat riding still takes center stage, so the Wakesetter 22 MXZ’s pull has to be perfect for every rider. Here are a few things I keep in mind both before and while I pull the event to ensure the best contest run with the best wake. — Brian Grubb, Malibu Boats team rider and 2013 Red Bull Wake Open towboat driver
Keep it Even
First off, make sure the boat is weighted evenly on both sides. At contests, I normally have three judges plus one or two cameramen and my first step is to make sure everyone is in the right spot.
Ballast the Bow
Weight the Wakesetter 22 MXZ with a little more in the front than the back. Most boats take more back weight, but the Wakesetter 22 MXZ will be way better with slightly more bow weight. You want the boat to sit just a little nose heavy, and then when you put the Wedge down, it evens out perfectly.
Wedge Well
On the Wakesetter 22 MXZ, we keep the Wedge all the way down for everyone, which gives you big, long transitions with a little lip at the top. That’s how Chad Sharpe, Amber Wing and I set our boats up. It’s a great proven wake that performs as well at home as it does in a contest.
Set Your Speed
As far as speed goes, I can usually get pretty close just by knowing what line length the rider wants. In the Wakesetter 22 MXZ, it’s about 23.5 mph for a 75-foot rope, and the speed is pretty much always within a mile per hour from there based on the rider’s preference and their line length. It’s really quick to adjust the speed within Malibu Touch Command, so for a tournament I don’t do presets like I would at home, I just get it set up and bump the speed up or down.
Stay Straight
If it’s a contest situation, you want to make sure you give the boat enough time to get up to speed so it’s locked in by the time you enter the course. Then just try to drive a perfectly straight line, which means if the rider is pulling really hard, you may have to compensate with a slight turn so the boat stays straight and the wakes stay perfect. In the Wakesetter 22 MXZ, I use a 140-degree mirror that never lets the rider get out of my field of view, so I always see the rider no matter how far out he cuts.
 |
## 2013 Malibu Boat Guide |
| Get more Malibu with the 2013 Malibu Boat Guide. Explore Malibu’s 2013 ski boats, meet the Malibu Boats team, and see Malibu’s latest innovations through video, full-screen photo galleries and more. See Malibu Boats’ commitment to innovation, performance, style and quality in action, and get all of your questions answered by Malibu Boats experts. Once you’ve found the best ski boat for you, book a test driver with the built-in dealer locator. Experience it now. |
