Wakeboard Racks: Everything You Need to Know

On boats, properly storing boards is vital to bringing organization and order on deck. Therefore, wakeboard boat tower racks are necessary to put away boards safely when not in use. This article is a complete guide to wakeboard racks, their uses, features, maintenance tips, and how to pick one.

What Is a Wakeboard Rack?

A wakeboard is a short wooden board that riders balance on as motorboats tow them in to perform stunts as a form of water sport. Wakeboard racks are, therefore, structures that attach to boat towers for conveniently storing wakeboards.

Why Do I Need a Wakeboard Rack?

Wakeboard racks are meant for organization and storage on a boat. Having a wakeboard rack comes with the following benefits:

• More space: Boats have limited room, and having the boards mounted on the boat tower leaves more space on the deck.
• Keep the wakeboards in good condition: Boards are not a cheap investment. Boards may develop scratches, chips, and general damage when left on the deck. This makes it crucial to have wakeboard holders in place to store them appropriately.
• Fewer injuries: When boards are not stored away properly on the deck, people are more likely to bump their toes against the boards' edges or even trip over them. It is better to mount them on wakeboard tower racks to keep them out of the way and avoid such injuries.
• Avoid damaging the boat: When wakeboards are left lying on the deck during travel, they may cause damage as the vessel jerks and turns. Using the wakeboard holder helps secure the board to avoid this.
• Dry the boards properly: When one mounts the wakeboards onto the rack, the conditions are more conducive to drying after use than when lying on the deck. This minimizes mold growth on the boards.

Types of Wakeboard Racks

There are generally two main types of wakeboard racks. They are:

1. Fixed wakeboard racks: The clamps that hold the rack onto the boat tower only allow the rack to face away from the boat. This means anyone has to reach or be outside the boat to remove or place boards onto the rack.
2. Swivel wakeboard racks: These racks are much like the fixed ones, except they have an added mount that allows one to turn the rack towards the boat. This feature makes it easier easier to remove and mount the boards.

Features To Look Out for When Buying a Wakeboard Rack

Wakeboard racks typically have the following features:

• Quick-release feature: This feature allows one to easily remove the rack from the boat tower for storage when the boat is not in use, preventing theft. The feature is also helpful in situations where one needs to fold down the boat tower in areas of the sea with lower overhead clearance.
• Rustproof metal: Aluminum and stainless steel are the metals of choice for building wakeboard racks as they do not rust easily. Some racks are also built with anodized aluminum, preventing corrosion in marine environments.
• Padded rack forks: The wakeboard racks have soft padding between the forks, which prevents board damage. This feature also prevents rattling noises when the boards hit up against the rack during travel.
• Adjustment slots: Most boat wakeboard towers are curved, and if one is to mount a rack, it would assume the same tilted angle. Some racks, however, come with built-in adjustment slots to compensate for this angle.
• Integrated bungee cord: This wakeboard mount feature helps secure the boards onto the rack, preventing them from falling off during travel.
• Clamps: Rustproof and rattle-proof clamps attach the racks onto the boat tower. These clamps bind onto the rack on one side and onto the boat tower's metal tubing on the other, securing the rack. 

How Do I Pick a Wakeboard Rack?

Wakeboard racks come in varying sizes, shapes, and styles. It is, therefore, crucial to select the most appropriate one depending on your needs. I use the following steps:

1. Determine what type of rack I need: There are different types of racks that hold different types of boards. A rack meant for kneeboards, for example, cannot hold wakeboards, as they have different thicknesses. But it is essential to note that there are combination racks that are suited to this feature.  Most racks that are exclusively for wakeboards can only accommodate boards of up to 1.25 inches thick.
2. Determine how many boards I need to store: Most racks have two slots for boards. Depending on how many boards one has, it may be necessary to get more than one rack.
3. Establish the clamp size I need: The clamp size depends on the size of the boat tower's metal tube. It is vital to know the tube size to get a clamp that fits. Some manufacturers, however, make universal collar inserts to compensate for clamps that are larger than the tower legs.
4. Determine how much money I am willing to spend: Most racks range from $150 to $300, depending on the brand and the features they offer. This makes it vital to have a budget so you can narrow down your best-suited picks.

How Can I Take Care Of My Wakeboard Rack?

Wakeboard racks are easy to maintain, especially if anodized. Some of the methods I use include:

• Always rinsing the racks with fresh, clean water after every use in a saltwater environment, minimizing the metal's corrosion.
• Regularly washing the rack with mild soap and water.
• When trailering the boat, removing fixed racks, turn swivel racks towards the boat, or cover the racks to avoid damage during transport.
• Always ensuring that the clamps binding the rack to the tower are tight.
• Inspecting the quick release feature after every 30 hours of use to ensure efficiency.

Wakeboard racks are worthy investments that will ensure proper storage of your boards on boats to maximize deck space and uphold the boards' quality. 

At Wet Sounds, our goal is to provide you with the ultimate outdoor music experience. Reach out to us today if you need any clarification or have any questions.