Help me pick a wakeboard package for a total newbie

[Sac Surfer]

Guys,

Looking to get into wake boarding this summer, been mainly wakesurfing behind my 2010 210.

just got an email of some EVO outlet wakeboard packages (board & bindings/boots)

Can someone point me in the right direction as I have no experience on a wakebaord. A little bit about me is that I'm 6 foot about 195lbs and have only tried to get up on a wakebaord, but ended up drinking a lot of lake.

Budget is about $400-$600 bucks. You guys see anything worth picking up for someone in my shoes?

http://www.evo.com/outlet-shop/wake/packages.aspx

Thanks,

Mike

[s_kelley2000]

I'm not sure what size foot you have but I always recommend the LF Witness as a good starter board. It's wide and easy to get up on. It doesn't have very sharp edges that easily catch when learning. It can cut and pop hard once you get the basics down. It is definitely a board that you can grow into without killing yourself getting there. Depending on your foot size, the Witness 140 might be a great package for you:

http://www.evo.com/outlet/mashups/li...ings-2012.aspx

I personally love Ronix bindings so you may want to look into creating your own package of binding/boards.

Either way if you order by 2/26 you can use code "wakeearly" for an extra 20% off closeout gear.

[Sac Surfer]

Shawn,

My shoe size is a 12, and have had trouble getting into a smaller wakeboard boot. Thanks for the quick response, what is it you like about the Ronix bindings so much?

Thanks,

Mike

[s_kelley2000]

I find Ronix bindings to be more comfortable and lighter than the competition. Also my feet don't cramp up in them nearly as quickly as they have in other bindings. There was a night and day difference in comfort and weight between my 07 LF Watsons and 08 Ronix Ones. I am now riding 2012 Ronix Ones and they are by far the best binding I have ever used.

[vision]

I'm not sure what size foot you have but I always recommend the LF Witness as a good starter board. It's wide and easy to get up on. It doesn't have very sharp edges that easily catch when learning. It can cut and pop hard once you get the basics down. It is definitely a board that you can grow into without killing yourself getting there. Depending on your foot size, the Witness 140 might be a great package for you.

Agreed. Witness is a great board. You might even want to go 144 in size.

Bindings preferences are very personal. I would stay away from stiff bindings for a newbie. I would avoid LF Shanes and Watsons. The LF vantages or tansits are comfortable, the slingshot KTVs are great, and as mentioned there are many good bindings from various companies.

[Sac Surfer]

Vision,

Thanks for the response, I will look over, so are all binding compatible with wake boards, or is it manufacturer specific so the attachment points line up?

also since I'm a 12 shoe size, do I want binding that are in the 8-12 or 12-15...or that again comes down to preference?

[s_kelley2000]

All bindings should be compatible with all boards as far as bolt pattern. The industry standard used to be an 8 inch spread but that has been narrowed to a 6" spread since about 2009. The only thing to keep an eye out for is whether the inserts and bolts are compatible because some companies use metric and some use imperial. The sizes they use are close enough to fit but they will strip out the inserts. Most boards that have metric inserts come with the metric hardware to avoid this problem. When you order just ask the question and Evo should send you the right hardware you need.

As for boot sizing, I find they typically run small a little small so I think you would want the 12-15, especially if you have had problems getting into boots in the past.

[RideButter]

Ditto on Ronix bindings, there are many great boards on the market, but Ronix bindings are the best.

I use Ronix products in my wakeboard school and have had great luck with the Ronix Vault. I have replaced many of our boards with Vaults and I offer them in every size with amazing results. The toeside edge is shaped differently than the heelside edge giving you a little more assistance on your toeside edge. Its a great priced package and will not be restricting as you get better.

With the available packages, I would spend the extra money on the district bindings over the divides, they are much better.

[jonsquatch]

+1 on Ronix bindings, I have used a bunch of different bindings but I like my Ronix Relik's (precursor to the Parks) best. Got mine in XXL which fit great for my 13-14 feet. I have struggled with some bindings because I have a long narrow and thin foot. Those with a big enough throat to get my foot in without a struggle are often too loose. I use mine on a Liquid Force Super Trip, but I wouldn't recommend going that far on a first setup, I have gone through 5 board and 6 sets of bindings to find what I like best. It can be hard for people with bigger feet and looking for bigger boards to find something to demo or borrow.

If I was buying sight unseen I would probably go a size bigger on the bindings just to be sure, looser is probably better early on as long as you aren't the 4' 9" 90 lb girl borrowing her linebacker boyfriends setup as that never goes well. I have had great luck with Evo great company.

Based on your info I would stay way to the low side of your budget and try the Liquid Force Witness Grind Wakeboard + Transit Bindings 2012 in a 140 with the 12-15 bindings or the Ronix Vault Wakeboard + Divide Bindings 2013 in either the 139 or 144 with the 10.5-14.5 binding. The Distict's better but they aren't available in your size for a reasonably priced package.

If 195 is your drivers license weight then you might like the 144 better than the 139/140 but a 144 is a big board. I have ridden anywhere from a 137-147 while weighing anywhere from 225-300lbs. At 300lbs you NEED the bigger board, at 225 it sure makes it easier.

If you go with the Witness it would make for a decent loaner board if you upgrade in the future as those Transit bindings felt really small to me. Once you learn how to get up and get the basics down and you know what it is you like about what you have and what you don't you can try out some other boards if you can get some demo's or else you should be able to find people willing to let you borrow their setup to try that wouldn't when you couldn't get up.

As far as learning to get up, if you can get up on a surfboard no problem its not much harder to get up on a wakeboard. If I have someone who is struggling with the traditional start and using too much muscle causing too much plow then I have them try a modified deep water start where I put the boat just in gear and have them start to turn their front foot forward and let the board sink just below the water keeping the front foot up and leaning 80% of their weight on the back foot. As long as you are smooth with the application of power they seem to float right up.

[Bevan]

This board in 143

http://www.perfski.com/cart.cfm?cart...9-0302d18cea81

With these bindings for a really nice set up:-)

http://www.perfski.com/cart.cfm?cart...f-bfdcbc13ec4f

[08sante]

Its been about a month so I don't know if you are still in the market for anything but I will shoot you some info just in case.

Being that you are new its much harder to pick a board because you don't know what Characteristics you want in a board. So you are going to have to guess one some of these-
There are two main styles of boards our right now, Continuous and 3 stage. They both have very different Characteristics

Continuous-
Normally cuts and rides faster on the water, Easy to build up speed carving into the wake and doesn't have a lot of resistance on the water
Continuous boards are also known for being predictable off the wake and softer landings.

3 Stage-
Little bit slower on the water but the extra resistance gives me confidence as I approach the wake. I feel a little more in control. (Me personally)
Known for being more Abrupt off the wake taking you higher more then farther. It is less predictable meaning some times you think you are going to go big and you just miss the sweet spot and don't

There will also be boards that are somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.
There are also boards that are more "slippery" on the water and some that Grab and hold. Most of that has to do with the shape of the board and the fins used.

If it is going to be just you using the board I would get boots that are actual size's not grouped together sizes like the ones you mentioned. If you are going to let others use the board you will more then likely want to go with the smaller 9-12 size so they can fit them ok as well. If you go the Multi sized route check out some of CWB's Hinged bindings. They are so easy to get into and they snug up nice and tight. If you are going to go with one size, Ronix does make amazing boots. I have a set of 2013 Ronix Parks size 12 I am selling if you are interested. Also check out the Hyperlite/Byerly System bindings. I didn't like them when they first came out but its what I am riding this year.

Some brands to look at -

Hyperlite
Byerly
Slingshot (Newer company but they make killer products)
Liquid Force
Ronix
CWB

Let me know what features sound more attractive and I will make some recommendations of boards for you to check out.

I also have hook ups on all New 2013 and 2014 products from Boardco.com Shoot me a PM and I will get you a discount code.

[lucky7t]

LF trip. Great board with continuous . Love it. It was recommended by a member on the board a while ago and I'm happy with my decision.

[Sac Surfer]

Okay so the ice is out in VT and I got the dry suit...

now let's help me narrow down this wake board package.

6'1"
190lbs
11-12 Boot