wakeboard vest and ropes

[ryanandrews]

looking to buy a new wakeboard vest and rope...i like the helium josh sanders vest, but its not cga........does a non cga vest still keep you afloat?........if you get knocked out will these vests still keep you up.....if the non-cga vests are a bad idea, what about the helium swat?..i guess im stuck on helium because they look pretty sweet!......whats iyo the best rope for the money for wakeboarding?........have an accurate now but its not a non stretch............ :?:

[Onevw2go]

RE: wakeboard vest and ropes

I have a Helium Swat vest, great vest. that being said, I would say go 1 size smaller than you would normally wear. as for CGA, it still floats me fine, but not as well as a thicker vest would. I have slammed hard several times and it has always kept me safe. Good luck

[NautiqueChick]

RE: wakeboard vest and ropes

I have an O'Neill Vapor vest that I abolutely love. Been through a lot of vests, but its definitely the most comfy of them. Some people complain that they are a pain to get off because they zip in the back, but I've never had that problem. Its non-CGA too and it floats me fine, never been knocked out with it on, so can't comment on that. If you are worried go with a CGA approved one, but I've never had a problem with a non-CGA one. I like the non-bulky factor too.

As far as ropes go, I have a Straight Line Vapor line. Had it for about 3 years and its still a great rope. Although I reccommend those new thermal lines, that will be my next rope. Rode with one at a clinic and loved it, definitely doesn't get tangled like mine does sometimes.

[Hack]

The swat vest is CGA certified, as you indicated. Sounds like NautiqueChick gets enough float from her noncertified one. I've stayed away from the noncertified ones because I don't know if they count as floatation devices (per head in the boat)?

Anyway, regarding your rope question look in the gear buy section. Go to MidOhio Nautiques. They are selling a ton of equipment at half off. You can get an Accurate A-Line, which is basically the same rope that NautiqueChick recommends and the Helium one you are looking at (the Helium one is over priced), for $77. You are not going to beat that in performance or price.

[Sinkoumn]

I completely second the O'neill Vapor - best vest I have ever worn

[Mikeski]

I have went to all CGA vests in the past couple years after skiing/riding with non-CGA for many years. I buy them one size too small and stack them for storage, thicker towards the bottom. They flatten over time making them more comfy/flexible but slightly less bouyant. This is what I find to be the best of all worlds since it has the label and counts as floatation.