Airageous vs 5-Forty kneeboards

[bwana50]

I've been looking for a used compression-molded kneeboard. I consider myself roughly early-intermediate level. Recently an O'Brien Airageous and an HO 5-Forty have popped up locally. Can anyone tell me the relative merits of each?

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Airageous vs 5-Forty kneeboards

In my opinion, the best board out there is the Obrien Lowrider from the early 2000's. The 5150 had a great launch to it, but has tracking rails that grab the water way too hard. I actually crushed a vertebrae on the 5150 doing a simple backroll. Never would have happened on a Lowrider. It has a much more forgiving surface. See if you can find the lava lamp looking one on Ebay or Craigslist

Here is the 2007 model:
http://www.bizrate.com/wakeboardinge...672194405.html

They may well be the same board, but I preferred the smaller pads on the older ones.

good luck, keep the bottom side up !!

[SkiTower]

RE: Airageous vs 5-Forty kneeboards

Buddy has an O'Brien Airageous and swears by it, though he doesn't ride as hard as it sounds like WakeSlayer (more for the kids). If you don't buy it, send me info on the used one and I'll pass it along (he wants a second one...three kids)

[bwana50]

WakeSlayer - I've read other good things about the Lowrider, so I may just save some more money and see if one pops up over the winter.

SkiTower - the Airageous was sold before I got a chance to look at it.

[snowboardcorey]

The Airageous is a good board for surface spins as it has a semi spoon shape which makes it next to impossible to catch an edge. These same edges also prevent it from tracking as well as the Lowrider of the 540 you mentioned.

The Price of the Lowrider has come down about $100 in the past two years you can get a brand new one for about $200, used even less!