Gator Gonzalez 138

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

Holla, If anyone could give any information on this board, 2007 Gator Gonzalez 138, it be awsome! I've been riding for awhile now on a friends ollllllld hyperlight 142 and want to start setting out on my own purchase.

I'm 5'11 and about 155 and think the 142 is fine in length but it's the ONLY board i've ever been on besides a few when i was really young. So really i dont know what to expect from a smaller board. I know that smaller gives you better spin while larger gives you greater pop and smoother landing but is there anything else? Does a smaller create a better progressive? Will my grabs feel easyer with a smaller board? Will my backrolls take less progressive or effort? Anything to help me decide!

http://www.gatorboards.com/07-BOARDS/Gonzalez-138

The main reason for this pick is coming from the style, yessss the art. I want a board that stands out as you can tell but i'm coming here for ANY INFORMATION on if gator is a good reliable brand. If anyone has used a gator board and can say it will be as smooth as the main brands.

Any information on this board, the brand, the cm, or anything would be great! I just need help.

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

I'm a strong believer in not picking a board for the graphic. I have no experience with the wakeboards but I did have a wakeskate and the first time out the plys split and I sent it back and never looked back at Gator's gear.

Capix · Outlaw Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 194 City: Ft. Lauderdale

I never rode a gator board, so I cant help you there.

But I learned something in the past. NEVER buy a board for the looks, buy it because the board is a good board and type of ride you're looking for. If the board looks good then that's a plus Smile

.

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

I figure the general could careless about the looks of a board compared to it's features etc. Guess thats why I'm posting. I like the look but i want to know if people like the brand, the board, and the use of it on the water before i think about buying it. Sorry about your board though dang, 1 hit for gator if their boards dont even last one ride.

Capix · Outlaw Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 194 City: Ft. Lauderdale

not sure if this helps, but worth taking a look

http://www.wakeworld.com/getcompany.asp?companyid=356&type=1

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

thanks man, taking a look.

NorthwestRider · Posted: Jul 07, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject:

Gatorboards are awesome. I have an 05 Harris that I don't ride anymore but my brother rides it now and he loves it. Solid boards for sure. The Gonzalez is basically a Hyperlite Premier, a 3 stage that is not to extreme, but solid pop and slightly harder landings then other boards.

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

So with a hybrid of 3-stage and continuous, it will be like having slightly slower speed with greater pop and harder landings?

NorthwestRider · Posted: Jul 07, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

More or less, yes. Different boards of the same rocker have slightly different characteristics but thats about what you can expect.

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

So all in all, if i'm looking for a board thats gonna get me great pop, this hybrid style is going to be a great step in improving my backrolls etc.

Couple more questions though,
Are gatorboards heavy compared to the rest?
Is this hybrid going to be a good choice or should i just go straight 3-stage?
Can any bindings from ANY brand work with ANY board?

NorthwestRider, do you give me approval that this board will rock and i should buy it! ( Any certain bindings?)

I like the idea of the hybrid and i think coming from a 142 to a 138 will be a good adjustment but i guess i should look forward to hard landings. Shocked

NorthwestRider · Posted: Jul 07, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

Ck, Gatorboards are killer, however I've never ridden the Gonzalez, but I rode the old hyperlite premier for years and thats basically what the Gonzalez is based off of and is pretty similar too. Gatorboards are not any heavier than any other conventional board. Hybrids, you kind of get the best of both worlds from the rocker line. Unless you really know that you want one or the other hybrids are usually a good choice. That way it will be a great platform to compare with other boards. Any bindings will work with any board with the exception of 07 Slingshot boards, only Slingshot bindings work with them; but you need not worry about that.

As for bindings you should look into Ronix and Slingshot's closed toe bindings. I feel those two companies are putting out the best bindings right now. If you don't want to spend a buch and still want quality bindings look at Liquid Force. Stay away from the 08 Hyperlite Murrays.

One last note on board size. I am a big proponent of riding bigger boards, I ride a 145. I think if you can handle a bigger board you should ride it. If your having trouble getting your backrolls around a smaller board could probably help you. If you have trouble landing them; slipping out, butt checking, etc. I'd go with the 142 still. However, some boards in different sizes can feel really big. For example, my 139 3DS feels about as big and bulky as my 145 Slingshot. And the 142 3DS feels HUGE! I would suggest going to a shop if you can and pick up the boards and feel them and see how big they feel. If the 142 feels too bulky get the 138. If you can't do this and want to just order one and play it safe, get the 138. Cause I think a board that is too big will make it much harder to learn tricks than a board that is a little too small.

Hope that all made sense, my thoughts are kind of fragmented right now. If you have any more questions just ask.

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

You rock

If i come up with anything to ask ill let you know. Going to see if there are any gator dealers around my area and check into those bindings you said. I've been hitting the old open toe loose whatever fit. These things look like i'm going snowboarding again sheesh. Surprised

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

I think i would freak if i got closed toe, how about these ronix bindings

http://www.wakeside.com/product/wakeboard_gear/mens/wakeboard_bindings/ronix+oxford+wakeboard+boots+2008.do

NorthwestRider · Posted: Jul 07, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

Yeah, those bindings are probably pretty good, I've never ridden them myself so I don't really know, but Ronix makes really good stuff. I don't know where your from but if you ride in cold water Closed toes really help keep your feet warm.

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33

Ahhhh... now i see the purpose behind those things. It was very unclear to me due that i live in texas haha.
It's been hot as crap! I got a wetsuit though for september, october. I'm trying to get on my college team but i've been only getting out once a week. Just need to get this sweet rig together and i might go drive boats at a summer camp for the last few weeks of july and hit it a hella hard. Be tons better cause i live 45 min from my lake and use my friends boat. Confused

JustinCT · Newbie Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 19 City: Philadelphia

Not tryin to jack your thread, but where can you get the best deals on an 07 gonzalez? I'm looking for a 142. I've seen some ridiculously good prices on the smaller boards, just can't find a 142 for cheap. Thanks.

Justin

Ck · Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 33