Top 8 Upgrades for Your Wakeboard Boat

If you live in an area where winter is a bit, err...weathery, it may feel like a stretch to start thinking of boat upgrades right now. But who wants to spend glorious early spring days working on your boat instead of enjoying your boat? There are many ways to improve the performance, comfort, and overall enjoyment of your boat. From adding ballast systems and towers to upgrading the stereo and lighting, you can unleash your boat's potential and be ready to launch. In this article, we will explore the various upgrades you can make to your wake boat, and importantly, how to do them. 

1. Ballast System Upgrades

The size and shape of your boat's wake are critical factors in determining how much fun you're going to have riding on a wakesurf board, foil or wakeboard. Adding weight to the boat through a ballast system can greatly improve the size and shape of the wake. Note that while you can add weight anywhere on your boat to increase the size of the wave, the shape of the wave is completely dependent upon where you put weight in your boat. In general, you'll want to evenly distribute weight for wakeboarding. Whereas with wakesurfing, you'll need boat at the back corner of the boat (unless you have a wakeshaping device - - more on that later).  

There are different types of ballast systems, such as your stock hard tank system that came with your boat, plug-and-play systems that add to your existing setup, and tailored ballast systems that can range in fit from a universal bag (universal = pretty close fit for most lockers) to a bag that's perfectly designed for your boat's exact dimensions.

Don't forget the boat ballast pump! Faster and more efficient ballast pumps can speed up the process of filling and emptying ballast tanks, so you can skip the waiting and get straight to having fun.

Installing a ballast system is a fairly easy upgrade that can significantly enhance your on-the-water experience. Want to see us do it? Check it out: 

2. Tower Upgrades

Installing a boat tower has numerous benefits that can greatly enhance your experience on the water. First of all, they just look cool. A wakeboard boat tower can greatly improve the overall look of your boat, giving it a sleek and modern appearance. They're functional in many ways. By elevating the tow point (where you attach the rope for a wakeboarder), a wakeboard boat tower allows riders to get more lift and air time, making tricks easier and landings smoother. This higher attachment point reduces drag, helping riders maintain better control and stability. A boat tower provides a stable platform for attaching speakers, lights, and often come prewired for convenience. Add some board racks to your tower to keep your gear organized and maximize the deck space. 

Here we show you how we installed the Roswell Tower on our Project Boat:

3. Stereo System Upgrades

Upgrading your boat's stereo system can greatly enhance your experience on the water. A good sound system will provide clear, crisp sound and good volume, which will makes your day more enjoyable.

One of our favorite upgrades is adding tower speakers to a boat tower so the wakesurfer or wakeboarder also gets a great sound experience. We especially love tower speakers with built in LED lights to amp up the atmosphere. Check out this handy video where we built up a Project Boat with some premium Wet Sounds audio.

4. Propeller Upgrades

Replacing your boat's propeller with a newer, high-performance model can improve the boat's speed and handling. This upgrade can greatly enhance your wakeboarding or wakesurfing experience and help you get the most out of your boat.

When choosing a new propeller, it is important to consider the size and weight of your boat, especially if you've just done a ballast upgrade, and the type of riding you will be doing. Another often overlooked consideration is choosing a prop for your elevation. If you live and ride in a higher altitude, it takes more time to plane out, so you'll need the right prop to do the job.  

5. Board Racks

One of the most convenient add-ons for your boat is the board rack. Save that precious floor and compartment space by mounting a wakesurf/wakeboard or water ski rack, which also helps keep your gear safe from getting knocked around. For extra security, choose a board rack with a locking mechanism to keep your gear safe while you grab a cocktail at the marina. Got a lot of boards? Add storage space with bimini board bags that secure your boards to the top of your bimini shade completely out of the way.

6. Storage Upgrades

One of the biggest needs any boater will agree upon is adding more storage. The more friends and family you bring out on the lake, the more stuff will accumulate on your boat, making your beauty look like a messy beast. Tiered storage options, like locker nets, maximize storage space by creating an elevated area above ballast bags, allowing for efficient use of compartments. This setup keeps frequently used items within easy reach, reducing clutter, and making it easier to keep gear organized.

7. Wakesurf Device Upgrades

Surf devices allow your boat to be weighted with equal amounts of weight on either side. The boat sits level in the water, making the boat easier to drive, more enjoyable for passengers, and you can use your full ballast system.

A wakesurf device makes switching the wake from one side of the boat to the other quick and easy. The surf wave is more consistent, and not as dependent upon the number of people in the boat, or where they are positioned. While we love wakesurf devices, we especially enjoy the convenience of Go Surf Assist. Check out the install: 

8. Locker Mats

The hard truth: it's nearly impossible to keep boat locker spaces completely clean and dry—especially when using ballast bags. Adding boat locker mats to your boat is a simple yet effective way to keep storage compartments dry, clean, and free from mold or mildew. Locker mats solve this by promoting airflow, which helps compartments dry faster while, and custom mats do so even better by also preventing shifting inside the boat. No more opening that locker to find gross, moldy compartments!

Whether you are a DIY-er or take your boat to the dealer for boat upgrades, get started on your boat projects early in the year so you can make the most of your improvements all season long. As always, feel free to reach out to our Product Advisors for input on the best upgrades for your boat.