Best Beginner Wakeboard??

[IAHAWK]

I have always done kneeboarding and am now looking at getting into wakeboarding. What do you guys recommend for a good beginner board?? I have been looking at the CWB Sol. From what i have read this is supposed to be a good beginner board.

Also should i get a true wakeboarding rope or will a normal ski rope work??

Thanks for the help

:grin:

[bkhallpass]

IAhawk.

Depends upon your size (height/weight) coordination, athleticism,
age, etc.

The beginner board I like best is the Blindside Five-0. Been around
forever, still a best seller. Easy to get up. Beveled edges so you
don't face plant as much when learning. Makes a great boat
board when you've outgrown it.

Problem: Only comes in smaller sizes. 125, 132, 138. If you're over
6' or 6'1", or more than 190-200 lbs, it will be too small.

If interested, Munsonski.com is clearing out the 138 Blindside Five-0
for $99. Bought one a couple of months ago and got free shipping.

Also, great bindings on Ebay. Found many adjustible bindings,
and also some high end bindings for under $100. Many are
listed in the Ebay store buy it now section.

Also saw CWB Sol and Liquid Force Search boards on Ebay. These
are supposed to be good beginner boards.

Regards,

BKH

[Luke]

Also should i get a true wakeboarding rope or will a normal ski rope work??

DON'T use a normal ski rope. Spend the extra money and buy yourself a decent non-stretch wakeboard rope. Ski ropes defeat the process of loading the line as you cut into the wake. You'll notice a HUGE difference between a ski rope and a non-stretch wakeboard rope.

[bkhallpass]

Also should i get a true wakeboarding rope or will a normal ski rope work??

DON'T use a normal ski rope. Spend the extra money and buy yourself a decent non-stretch wakeboard rope. Ski ropes defeat the process of loading the line as you cut into the wake. You'll notice a HUGE difference between a ski rope and a non-stretch wakeboard rope.

Couldn't agree more. With a non-stretch rope, you can literally rotate
your hand and you will move left or right. Very responsive. In addition,
wakeboard handles are normally wider (15" vs. 12 or 13" on a ski rope).
More comfortable while boarding, and makes handle passes, etc. easier.

BKH

[IAHAWK]

Luke/BKH

Thanks for the help.

You guys sold me on getting a wakeboard rope. Any brands/models your recommend that are middle of the line??

As for the wakeboard, I'm still not sure what I want to do. The Blindside Five-O sounds like a good board as I am 5' 10" 175 pounds, but my brother may want to use it too and he is over 200.

BKH, thanks for the website i will have to check that out along with Ebay. What type of bindings did you see for under $100. Just curious as i don't know what type of bindings are high end.

I think i may also invest in a instructional DVD to help me learn the basics.

Thanks again for the help

[bkhallpass]

Luke/BKH

As for the wakeboard, I'm still not sure what I want to do. The Blindside Five-O sounds like a good board as I am 5' 10" 175 pounds, but my brother may want to use it too and he is over 200.

Just curious as i don't know what type of bindings are high end.

If your Bro is over 1 bills, he should look for a 141-144. For your size,
a 137-140 is probably optimal, but many guys your size ride bigger boards. You shouldn't have much trouble sharing a 141-144.

Are your feet the same size? If not, and if you want to share the
same setup, then you will be forced to use one size fit all type adjustible
boots. These have come a long way in the last few years, and some
aren't bad. Still, nothing like having boots that fit. Some of the
better adjustibles seem to be Hyperlite Split, CWB Mobe, Liquid Force
EZ Suction. I'm sure there are others. However, I've seen all of these
new on Ebay for under $100.

If your feet aren't the same size. Get your own board. It's worth it.
Personally, I'd buy good bindings, and you can move them to a better
board, if you outgrow your board. I personally like Hyperlite Parks, or
Temet. They are high end bindings, but not so stiff, tight, hard, that I
can't be confortable. I'd recommend that you go to a shop and try
on boots till you find the right ones. Then shop Ebay, or the net
in general. If you don't buy them on the net, you will probably find
a good price which you can use to negotiate down at your local board
shop.

The bindings I bought on Ebay were last year's O'brien Ion. They were
second from top of the line in Obrien's line. Sold for $280, I bought them
for $80. Again, I wouldn't buy any boot, except perhaps for the
one size fits all type, without trying on the boot first.

As for the boards,

I've seen a lot of boards on Ebay, or other sites on the net for
under $150 that would be great for beginning/intermediate
riders. These include Liquid Force Search, CWB Sol, Blindside
Five-0, Hyperlite Motive, and others.

Hope this rambling helps.

BKH

[IAHAWK]

You forget I'm in Iowa. Yellow_Flash_Colorz: I'm pretty sure we don't have the selection you have in Cal. We just have the bigger sports stores that sell cheaper brands. Thats good advice though. I will check out some places and try some bindings on to at least get a feel for things.

Thanks for the listing of boards to look at, this will help me narrow it down. I'm guessing all those boards perform the same so it will come down to $$$ and looks.

To pick your brain some more...Any advise on ropes(types)?

Thanks again for the help
Eric

[bkhallpass]

You forget I'm in Iowa. Yellow_Flash_Colorz: I'm pretty sure we don't have the selection you have in Cal. We just have the bigger sports stores that sell cheaper brands. Thats good advice though. I will check out some places and try some bindings on to at least get a feel for things.


To pick your brain some more...Any advise on ropes(types)?

That's ok, we probably don't have the selection of farm equipment
that you do :grin:

I use Straightline ropes. No reason, that's just what I've always used.
Ski rope is 8 years, wakeboard rope 6 and still look great.

Masterline, Accurate, Wake Cord, Straightline. All should be good.

Spend the money for Spectr-line.

15" handle, your choice on grip style.

If you have a ski nautique, choose a rope 60- or 65' with three
take off sections 5' each (the ski boats have small wakes, and
thus you don't fly very far).

If you hae a 216, 210, 211, or 226, choose a rope 70-75 feet
with three 5 foot takeoff. Handle bridle is 5 feet . So, this
will give you rope lenght variations of 60 to 80 feet which should
serve you nicely as you progress. The longer the rope
the farther and higher you can fly. Conversely, when you
are learning a shorter rope is good because the longer the
rope, the further you MUST fly in order to clear the wake.

The pros use ropes 80 or 85 feet long, but I've found
the 60-80 feet work for most mere mortals.

Hope this helps.

BKH

[Luke]

You forget I'm in Iowa. I'm pretty sure we don't have the selection you have in Cal. We just have the bigger sports stores that sell cheaper brands. Thats good advice though. I will check out some places and try some bindings on to at least get a feel for things

You're over in eastern Iowa. Head down to Sheels in Coralville. The guys that run their wakeboard department typically know what they are talking about and most of them ride themselves. They usually have a good selection of boards from low end - high end. (At least in Hyperlite & Liquid Force).

All boards are definitely not created equal, so don't necessarily base it on color and price. If you can't demo a board, try to get an all around beginner board until you learn what you like. Odds are you'll like what you learn on until you get used to the differences. For instance the Parks board and Temet board are both pretty common, but ride completely different.

I 2nd the info about buying your own high end bindings.

[IAHAWK]

BKH, great info. I feel like I have a good understanding of what I need.

Luke,

How could I forget about Scheels?! I went to Iowa and even lived in Coralville. I am actually driving to Kansas City this weekend, so I will have to leave early and stop at Sheels on the way.

I will let you both know what I end up getting.

Thanks again to the both of you for the help.

[Luke]

If you’re going to KC check out B&B marine on the north side near Smithville lake.

They carry Hyperlite and usually have a pretty good selection and prices. I’ve bought a couple boards from them.

B & B Marine
(816) 532-0179
101 1st St
Smithville, MO 64089

Also might want to check out Sitzmark. They have good prices and have a wide variety of gear.

Sitzmark Sports
(913) 341-5330
10500 Marty St
Overland Park, KS 66212

[skiswm]

LoL...BKH you live in disco bay don't you have farm equip out the back door almost? Not to mention just about every dealer on hwy 4 as you head into Stockton. Regarding the board choices the other thing I have noticed comes into play........is if you are goofy foot fwd or not. Nothing worse then someone using your board and swapping the bindings around to please how they want to ride. I agree, get your own board set to the way you want, get another board for the "avg joe" that gets into your boat and wants to ride. One other thing if you normally ride your kneeboard get some "Slime" of one sort or another. Otherwise, you'll be so tired after tryin to get your boots on you won't even feel like gettin up on the board.

[bkhallpass]

LoL...BKH you live in disco bay don't you have farm equip out the back door almost? Not to mention just about every dealer on hwy 4 as you head into Stockton.

skiswm,

Your right. Further irony: The Brentwood Corn Festival Five
miles down the road is one of the social highlights of the year out
here. :grin:

BKH

[2WIN]

The difference is... We make a lot of the farm equipment here in Iowa and IL!

John Deere Head quarters is 15 minutes from my door and we have 3 plants in my community alone.

Thanks for all the help on the wakeboard guys. I am the fat brother (of IAHAWK) :razz: that is going to use the board too. LOL

Cheers

[bkhallpass]

Well,

Just because you're over 2 bills doesn't make you fat. I'm
6'2" and 235 lbs and stil manage to drag myself behind the
boat a few times a week PDT_003

In fact, it's about 70 degrees and the wind's dying down . . . .
C ya


BKH