Getting the best wakesurf shaper is the perfect way to be able to give yourself the most memorable surf ever. It will allow you to ride an incredible surf without having to worry about lugging too many weights around your boat, or you can have a combination of both to get an epic wave.
What is the best wakesurf shaper? Well, for me, it has to be the SWELL Wakesurf Creator 2.0. It helps to create a brilliantly long and high wave. It is also incredibly easy to install with the large suction levers that it has.
Of course, that’s not the only great wakesurf shaper out there. Whether you are looking for different designs, attachments or colors, there are plenty of options. Once you’ve finished reading this review, you’ll have a better understanding of how to get the right wakesurf shaper for you.
Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Reviews of the Best Wakesurf Shapers
1. SWELL Wakesurf Creator 2.0 Shaper
SWELL has managed to create a shaper that not only produces a fantastic wake but is also extremely easy to use. It will help to create a wave on the opposite side of the surf which is going to make it a lot longer and larger than your regular wake.
The SWELL Wakesurf Creator 2.0 only takes a few seconds to move and therefore you’ll be able to easily switch it from port to starboard. This installation can even be completed below the water line and while you’re still on the boat.
The highly-rated shaper is made from a marine-grade polymer to give it a great level of durability. The white color stands out very well in the water and it floats to ensure you’ll never lose it.
Overall, it’s a brilliant wakesurf shaper that only needs a small flat surface to work its magic.
Pros:
- Doubles the wake size
- Able to float
- Easy to install
- Highly durable
Cons:
- Metal can rust
- Needs a flat surface
- Suction cups can leave marks
2. Sylvan Wave Maker Surf Gate Shaper
Perhaps the greatest feature of the Sylvan Wake Maker Shaper is the durability that it has. It’s made from high-quality polyethylene and therefore you know that it’s not going to easily break. That durability also comes in the form of the aluminum fixtures that the shaper has, which will be resistant to corrosion.
Despite that durability, the shaper is also very light at just 3lb, 7oz. That makes it very easy to transfer around the boat which is helped by its industrial strength suction cups.
It’s very easy to use and it floats, should the cups come loose.
The shaper itself has a very simple design but one that works very well. The look of the product might deter some but you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
Overall, this is a very good product and one of the best shapers on the market.
Pros:
- Great durability
- Lightweight
- Adds great height
- Strong attachment
Cons:
- Suction cups can be hard to flip
- Simple design
- The metal can rust
3. MISSION Boat Gear Delta Wake Surf Shaper
MISSION is another company that has been able to produce a very durable shaper. The lack of metal in the product means that it’s not going to be affected by corrosion.
Despite having great durability, there are also other brilliant features of this MISSION Boat Gear Delta Shaper.
The high power suction cups that it features are unique. They are able to attach to contoured surfaces and not just those that are completely flat. That means they will fit almost all boats with a very secure fit.
The shaper also has a unique design to help it create a wave that is going to be epic to surf on. They offer two options with their 1.0 shaper or its 2.0 version. Both are excellent products, with the second version being the next step up in design and durability.
Pros:
- Unique design
- Creates great turbulence
- Good fit on contoured surfaces
- High durability
Cons:
- Average suction
- Hard to find the right spot
- Doesn’t attach well to graphics
4. Wakesurf Edge Wakesurf Shaper
Wakesurf Edge has produced this great shaper which takes a slightly different design approach to the large suction cups. It has two that are very close together which is ideal for boats that don’t have a large flat surface area.
This wakesurf shaper from Wakesurf Edge is able to give you great results without you having to add ballast to your boat. The durable metal handles that it has, along with the marine grade materials, mean that this is a shaper that is going to last for a considerable amount of time.
Like with the SWELL model, this is a shaper that floats which is vital should it ever come loose. Not only is installation very easy but it also won’t leave marks on your boat. It still requires a flat area for attachment and therefore it’s not ideal for fully curved boats.
Pros:
- No boat ballast required
- Large shaper face
- Able to float
- High-quality materials
Cons:
- Requires flat area
- Black color can be hard to spot
- Can come loose
5. Nauticurl WakeSurfing Wake Shaper
Despite being advertised as so, the Nauticurl WakeSurfing Shaper is unable to float but it does come with a high-strength tether. It is also probably the most stylish shaper on the market as this will look great on the side of your boat. It’s a unique shape that will help to make a great wake.
The attachment of the suction cups is also incredibly easy. It allows you to place it on either side of your boat and you can also reverse it for a different wake. It is made of aircraft-grade aluminum which makes it one of the most durable shapers you can buy.
The large suction cups are able to fit it securely to the side of your boat and it’s able to withstand a lot of force. This is a shaper that is able to create a long and deep wake that will allow you to surf at a comfortable distance away from the boat.
Pros:
- Creates a deep wake
- Heavy-duty aluminum
- Stylish design
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Requires a flat surface
- Heavier than other shapers
- Doesn’t float
How to Choose a Wakesurf Shaper – Buyer’s Guide
The advantages of a wakesurf shaper
Wakesurfing can be a whole lot of fun. Trying to create a good wake to surf, however, can often be difficult. Most people are left having to lug around heavy ballast bags that change the shape of your boat in the water to create a wake.
This can be difficult to judge and make the boat difficult to steer, especially if you’re only placing ballast on one side of the boat. A shaper helps to take a lot of that stress away and allows you to create a deep wake with little or no ballast.
That’s due to the fact that you are not relying on your boat digging into the water to create the wake as the shaper is creating the turbulence for you. With the right placement, this can give you a long and deep wake with minimal effort.
Using the best materials
Getting the right materials for a wake shaper can be difficult. It has to be able to deal with a lot of pressure but do so while still being light and portable. If it is too heavy, then the suction is not going to work very well and it will easily come off with a small amount of force.
The main part is going to be made out of either high-quality plastic such as polyethylene or out of aluminum. Both are very good at creating a wake without breaking. If you go too fast through the water, then the suction cups will fail long before the material does.
The rest of the shaper can be made out of a variety of different materials. Often metal is used to hold the suction cup connections. While this is able to give it a great level of durability, you want to make sure that it’s not going to rust too quickly by checking that any steel is protected.
Choosing the right design
You’ll notice a few different designs when it comes to wakesurf shapers. You have the flat rectangle design of the likes of Swell and Sylvan, the slightly shaped rectangle of Wakesurf Edge and the more shapely designs of Mission and Nauticurl.
While different companies will talk about the merits of their different designs, when it comes to the wake that they leave behind, shape tends not to be that important. Swell has a very basic design but one that has been highly rated by those who have used it.
The only real difference here is one of aesthetics. It might be the case that you simply want a shaper that looks great when it is attached to your boat. If this is important to you, then more shapely designs are going to stand out a lot more. It comes down to personal preference, as there is little correlation between shape and performance.
Ability to float
Despite a lot of these shapers having a very strong suction connection, it’s highly likely that they are going to find themselves in the water. Whether you are going too fast or have a weak connection, they will fall off sooner or later and you don’t want to lose your investment.
Most shapers solve that issue by having the ability to float. Those that are made of high-quality plastic are most likely to be easily retrieved and wouldn’t require the need for a tether. For aluminum shapers, it can be a different story. It will sink quickly unless it’s attached to your boat.
With any shaper, it’s a good idea to have a tether to prevent you from having to chase after it, but with aluminum, it’s essential. You don’t want to spend all of that money only to have it sink to the bottom of the water. It’s vital to check before you use your wakesurf shaper.
Suction cups
All of the options that we have looked at here use suction cups. It’s a very easy way to attach the shaper and change its position whenever you want. Anyone who has used suction cups for anything, however, knows the problems they may present, as a poor quality product will soon come undone.
Two large suction cups are going to be enough to keep it attached to the side of your boat, but even then it can come loose. Some don’t attach well to graphics or certain types of paint. If you have a boat that has one of these surface types, then it’s important to check.
The biggest factor when it comes to suction cups is the shape of your boat. If it’s heavily curved, then you are going to find it very difficult to have a secure attachment. All these shapers work very well of flat surfaces, but for curved boats, the Mission shaper is a great option.
What to check for before buying
All of the features that we have looked at here are important to check before you start using your shaper. There are some other key aspects to consider too.
One of these is the color of the shaper which can be important if it comes off the boat, as visibility can often be important. This is why most shapers are white. The black Wakesurf Edge model can be difficult to spot in the water. If it’s tethered to your boat, then this is going to be less of an issue.
Seeing what type of metal it has can be an important issue too. Some of the metals used are not great at resisting corrosion. While this will often be a superficial issue at the start, it can develop into a bigger problem. Aluminum doesn’t tend to have these issues, and any steel it has should either be galvanized or painted.
Frequently Asqued Questions
Why do I need a wakesurf shaper?
Depending on what type of boat you have, the natural level of wake you create is probably not going to be great. This is especially true when you consider that the best speed for wakesurfing is 9-13 miles per hour, which doesn’t allow for a huge natural wake.
As mentioned earlier, the most common way to add a wake to your boat is by adding ballast to your boat. This, though, can be difficult, and you can often end up constantly repositioning them around your boat, which can take a great deal of effort.
A shaper makes the job extremely easy, as you are able to attach it quickly to your boat in order to create an instant wake. Furthermore, if you need to reposition it, then it can be done very quickly.
A shaper makes your day of wakesurfing easy and you also have the option of combining it with ballast for an even bigger wake.
Can you wakesurf behind any boat?
The answer to this question is technically yes. Any boat that is able to travel at a decent speed would be able to tow you along on the water. For those that care about safety, however, the answer is going to be more complicated than that.
Surfing behind an outboard motor can be very dangerous. If anything happens to the boat that can force it to slow down, this would bring you to close into the propeller. The dangers of this are obvious and it can lead to serious injury. It’s never worth the risk as the dangers far outweigh any thrills.
Instead, you want to make sure that the propeller is safely tucked away under the boat and behind the rudder. This means that if you come into contact with the back of the boat, your only injuries are going to be a few bruises. This is why it’s a good idea to have a large wake, as this allows you to be further back.
Where do I put the wake shaper on the boat?
Many people will be wondering exactly where to place their wakesurf shaper. While it might take a bit of adjustment, there are some rules that you are going to need to follow. Without them, you’re not going to be able to get much of a wake.
The first thing that you need to decide is where you want the surfer to be. The reason for this is that the shaper needs to go on the opposite side. If the shaper is on the port side, for example, then the surfer will be over to the starboard side of the boat.
The other rule that you definitely need to follow is to place it just below the waterline. By this, I mean placing the whole shaper under the water, with the top edge below the water level. This will be able to give you the turbulence you need.
In terms of its distance from the back of the boat, this is one factor that can be adjusted. As you play around with it, you will see different lengths and heights. You’ll be able to find the perfect spot that is able to work for you and your boat.
How fast should the boat go when wakesurfing?
The perfect speed for wakesurfing can depend on a few key factors, such as the shape of your boat and the style of riding that you want. The general rule, though, is that a sweet spot can be found between 9 and 13 miles per hour.
That 13 mph really is the limit though, as over that it would be too fast. There can always be a temptation to try and go bigger and better than ever before, but that temptation should always be avoided for safety reasons.
Not only is it for safety reasons, but most shapers will have a maximum mph that you are able to be traveling at. Any faster than this and you risk the suction cups coming off, or worse, the shaper might break or be permanently damaged.
How do I make my boat wake bigger?
As mentioned earlier, one way to make a bigger wake is to play around with the positioning of your shaper in order to find the sweet spot. If you have a large boat, then there is also the possibility of adding another shaper to increase the turbulence even more.
A great way to get an incredible wake is to add your shaper to the ballast in your boat. Generally, there needs to be a balance between the front and the back, with some opting to have one particular side weighted down more to have a large wake on the opposite side.
In terms of creating a longer wave, a lot of ballast needs to be placed in the front. Conversely, more ballast in the back is going to create a taller wake. It’s good to try and find the right balance to give you the biggest wake possible.
My Choice for the Best Wakesurf Shaper
When it comes to the best wakesurf shaper, the SWELL Wakesurf Creator 2.0 comes out on top of my list. It is going to be able to double the size of your wake and double the amount of excitement that you are going to have while on your wakesurf board.
It is able to be easily attached to either side of your boat with the great suction cups that it has. It doesn’t require any tethering as it will be able to float if it ever becomes unattached. Overall, it is an excellent shaper and one you will be very happy with.
As we have seen though, there are a lot of other great shapers out there too. It’s important to pick a style and shape that suits you and one whose features match your needs. Once you attach your new shaper to your boat, you’re going to have more fun than ever before.
Top Rated Wakesurf Shapers
Last update on 2024-07-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API