5 Ways to Perfect Your Turn

We’d all love to cruise a truly endless lake—one where there was nowhere to go but forward, the horizon your only limit.

Of course, though, sometimes turns are necessary—in fact, they can even add to the thrill factor of fast-paced cruises and wakeboard runs. How do you make a turn that’s safe, smooth and—most importantly—fun?

We’ve got you covered—read on for our five key steps to perfecting a tricky turn.

Know your surroundings

It is, of course, always important to be aware of your surroundings as you cruise—but especially so when it comes time to make a turn, or when you’re approaching a place where you might need to (the marina, a busy channel, etc.).

In addition to looking out ahead of you, have your spotter—if you’re in the process of pulling a wakeboarder or skier—keep an eye out for potential obstacles that will arise behind your boat as you make the turn.

Find the right weight

Features like the Malibu Surf Gate help you create stellar, controlled wakes without ever having to readjust your passengers on board. When it comes to making a turn, though, and you want the navigation itself to be as smooth as possible, it can still help to make sure no area of your boat is excessively light or weighed down. As a rule of thumb, balance makes for a more predictable maneuver, whatever that might entail.

Learn the keyhole turn

Pulling a wakeboarder? You’ll want to master the keyhole turn, a simple maneuver that calls for you making a slight turn the opposite direction—left if you want to go right, right if you want to go left—before turning back in your preferred direction. This will help put your boarder on the outside of the turn so they can keep going smoothly (instead of getting caught up in the wake as you cross over).

Maintain a steady speed

Another tip that will help your boarder, and those on board, is to maintain a steady speed. If you know you’re going to be making a turn soon you can, of course, slow down a bit, but the maneuver itself should be on par with the speed of the run just before it. By not going too fast or too slow, your tow rope won’t lose any give and you will be able to enjoy a smoother, more precise turn.

Be ready for change

Since the water is always changing—with weather, current, time of day, other boaters, etc.—it can help to go into turns with a degree of adaptability. The good thing about boating is that it gives you chances to go back, rethink your course and try again with ease—there are no exits to miss or lights to stop at—so take your time! It’ll be a more leisurely ride, anyway.

Turns are a part of life on the water—whether you’re getting ready to dock or simply need to share the lake with fellow boaters. Fortunately, with these tips and a bit of know-how at the wheel, we think you (and your boarders!) will love them.