Non Stretch Rope/Fat Sack

[sailerboy]

My dad bought a 2001 Super Air Nautique, and it comes stock with whatever ballast it had. We also only have one rope, which is a slalom rope. I have mastered switch, and did a wake jump with the slalom rope, hard as **** to get that progressive edge. I think i am at that level where i would benefit from a non-stretch rope. What would be a good, adjectivally cheap non stretch wakeboarding rope/where to find it? Also, because our air nautique only came stock with 500 pounds of balast (i think), i have heard alot about fat sacks, and was thinking about getting one for our boat as well. I was thinking about a bow sack, or one you put in the ski locker (v-drive?) because we have slalom racks on our tower anyways. Thanks for the help!

[Andrew]

RE: Non Stretch Rope/Fat Sack

I've been using a Helium line for the last couple of years.... It has served me very well and seems to be a nice piece of equipment! I highly advise against using Accurate lines for personal reasons that I will not discuss in a public forum....

[highrock]

RE: Non Stretch Rope/Fat Sack

You should think about getting a sac for the ski locker in the middle. You can put about anything in that area from a locker sac to a big fat seat (it just wont fill all the way up).

As far as ropes go, I have used several, the accurate I have now seems to be the best as far as coiling up and never get tangled. Check out deals on ebay or something to see what you can get rather cheap.

[DanielC]

Congratulations on getting the (Real) Super Air. My opinion, it is one of the best wakeboard hulls available even today. Too bad Correct Craft has chosen to not build this hull anymore, and instead of using the "Super Air" name on the one best wakeboard boat they make, they just slap it on a lot of the v-drive boats they make currently.
The (Real) Super Air has a narrower beam than most of the other wakeboard boats out there. The good news, it responds to added weight quicker than a lot of other wakeboard out there. The bad news, it is more sensitive to side to side weight distribution. You have to educate your passengers that the side of the wake that has more white on it needs more weight. Your boat will make a bigger wake with a lot less weight than most other wakeboard boats.
Now is the time for you to look for good deals on ropes. There are the usual online sources. Do not rule out going to some local shops in person, and asking for a deal on last years model or color of rope. Things really die down in boat dealers in the fall, and they are looking to move old inventory to make room for new stuff to come in.
You are on the right track on wanting to learn to do progressive cuts. My thought is that you learning a good progressive cut will give you more skill in the long run.
When you can finally get the additional weight, you will know how to cut, and can take full advantage of the larger wake. Many people use excessive weight as a crutch, and never really learn to cut.

If your budget is limited, get the rope first, and then get the additional weight.

Do what you can to help your dad take care of the boat. Learn to drive the boat for him to ski, or wakeboard. If your state has any kind of licensing requirements for driving a boat, do that now, in the winter. Next summer, you want to spend your time on the water. A lot of insurance companies will give you and your dad a discount with proof of a safe boating class. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is a good source for boater education. They usually offer the most comprehensive course, for the least amount of money.

Show some responsibility with the boat, and your driving on land, and the time your dad will let you take the boat out by yourself will happen sooner than you think. I have heard rumors that having a good boat may attract attention from girls who want to go in the boat, and they may want to learn to ride also. The girls may even wear swim suits in the boat. For what it is worth, girls make ballast too, but you generally need more of them, because they are lighter than guys, but they are way better company than a fat sack.

[sailerboy]

This is all really great information. My dad hates brick and morter shops for some reason, so that is out of the question. He also hates ebay. Are there any online stores that sell last years model of rope? Links would be helpful. Also links for the fat sacks. I plan on getting those for christmas, so i'll probably get both of them at the same time. I have about 300 bucks saved up, and i can ask my dad for more. I am only 15, however, i am turning 16 in april, and up at Lake Arrowhead, where i ski, all you need is a drivers license and a boaters license (which i have). He said he would let me drive skiers as soon as i got my license. Unfortunately, my parents wont let me get my drivers license until i get Eagle Scout . Again, links would be helpful.

Andrew, could you pm me why you suggest against useing them?

[wildsv211]

This site seems to have some decent deals. I have not ordered from them yet but plan to do so soon...


http://www.wateroutfitters.com/wakeb...s/c1000000606/

[DanielC]

I think your dad is just being careful with his hard earned money. Remember he has to support you, your family, and now this boat.
I would suggest to you the sacks are not necessary. I have seen people throw inverts and spins behind PWCs, my Ski Nautique, without ballast, or the max load of people. I know one good rider that learned a lot of inverts behind his dads boat, a 16 foot orange early 1970's Fiberform with a 70 HP Johnson OB motor.
You already have one of the best wakeboard boats ever made, and it is good just in stock condition. Sure, it can be improved. But you already have a lot right now.
I do not know where you live, but I would suggest instead of buying a sack for your boat, get a drysuit for yourself, to extend your season of using the boat. More time to work on riding skills.
For what it is worth, when your friends go out in your dad's boat, they pitch in at least $10.00 for gas. Your family is paying for the boat. Money for gas is fair. Especially in this day when people thing nothing of dropping 5 or 7 dollars for a coffee flavored milk drink.

[sailerboy]

Im planning on getting the rope first, and the sacks afterwards if there is enough of my money to cover it. The rope should be less then 100 bucks and the sacks should be less then 200 right? I have 300, and my dad is willing to pitch in some.

Dry suit is out of the question. My dad stops driving LONG before i stop riding. I also never have a third, except in the summer.

Could you tell me what rope is a good one?

[jasper]

sailerboy, get that Eagle Scout rank. Got mine years ago and it has served me well. It is quite an accomplishment.

[sailerboy]

Im really close, but i have 1 merit badge and my service project. I cant learn to drive until i get it .

[DanielC]

It is kind of hard to describe a good rope. No stretch is what you want. I believe a "normal" Slalom ski rope is a braided construction, and made out of braided polyethylene. This is the "stretchy" slalom rope. A less stretchy rope looks the same, but is made of polypropylene. I might have the two types of ropes reversed. They do make versions of these ropes with a Kevlar fiber in the middle of them. This Kevlar fiber makes the rope no stretch. Both these types of ropes look pretty much like a standard ski rope.
There are also wakeboard ropes made out of different materials. These ropes are usually thinner than your normal ski rope.
I have used Straightline ropes for many years. Most all ropes last a long time, if you take care of them. I do not think my type of rope is available anymore, or it has at least changed color. I got several of my Straightline ropes because I was able to get into a factory warehouse sale, I had a friend who's wife worked for them here in Portland OR.
I would suggest, if you can, try to get a rope made in the USA. Employ someone in the states, not somebody overseas.

[sailerboy]

Could you find a link online of a good one less then 100 bucks (pref less then 70)?

[AirTool]

Here is one. I'm not sure what price it will show for you. I'm in the club and get a discount. I think they are also doing free freight for the winter. (I know the owners of the site and buy from them when they have what I'm looking for.)

http://www.barefootcentral.com/index.as ... ProdID=316

Also, sun & ski marked down their ropes. See if there is one near you.

bfc also has a section on barefoot ropes...I'm not sure how they compare to wake ropes. Most are non-stretch.

http://www.barefootcentral.com/index...mp;Category=42