Board choices / combo packages

[xjsnxillusion]

My budget is around 350-400 dollars, and I'm looking for some good packages. I'm 5'11 and 190 lbs - just started wakeboarding - seriously, bottom-line beginner... but i've done my research

looking at either a continuous rocker or a subtle 3-stage rocker since i'll either be pulled by a bass boat or a jet ski, probably a wakepro seadoo so it can make somewhat of a wake

Ones I've seen that look decent:

1. My first pick = 2009 Ronix 140-142 One w/ Cell bindings.. I have heard alot of good things about the boots, but I think the 3-stage rocker could give me some problems with me being so new.. but I love the look/quality of the board. I can't seem to find any package deal online with this setup anywhere.. so if i get this, it will probably be somewhat expense since its 2009 gear and separately sold.


2. 2009 Liquid Force Witness 140 w/Transit Wakeboard Package --
http://www.boardstop.com/product_info.php?products_id=3775&ref=35


3. 2009 CWB Kink 140 w/Vapor Wakeboard Package -- haven't done much research on this one..
http://www.boardstop.com/product_info.php?products_id=3547&ref=35


4. 2009 Vault w/ Divide Ronix Package Deals -- I liked the price on this one and the Divide bindings are nice with memory foam and wide shoe fit range since they are open toe
http://www.buywake.com/catalog/detail/9kV4w

Any suggestions would be helpful - If i could find a package with the 2009 One/good bindings I would get them but im really not looking to spend more than 400 dollars since it would be my first board, but I also don't want something that will stop me from progressing and getting better

[STANG KILLA SS]

1 or 2.

you could probly save even more money going with a 08 package?
09 gear wont make ya ride better or any cooler.

get something with a good value and quick, and get out there shredding, water time is alot more important than gear when your begining. plus you probly wouldnt notice the difference between 3 stage or continous at your level. hell ive been riding for 2 years and im not sure i could tell the difference in a blind test

[pet575]

If it were me, I'd concentrate my dollars on the best bindings I could get in a combo.

[Okie Boarder]

2.

I'd second the "good bindings" comment. I started with the Witness/Transit combo. Nice setup and the boots are comfy. I'm now on a Lyman/Vantage setup. I notice the board seems a little faster on edge and the boots are slightly better.

I'd also second trying to get 2008 gear. The place I've bought from might still have some 2008 stuff. I got my Witness/Transit for $300 in September of 2007. The place I used was Salinas Valley Marine (www.salinasvalleymarine.com). Talk to Evan Noren.

[xjsnxillusion]

So I know that going with a 2009 model over 2008 boards won't make me any better, but from hearing so many good things about the LF Witness 140 w/ Transit boots for $499 - i think thats the best package deal that I could find that fits my taste in looks and also in compatability with my experience level.

The 2009 (model i like) Ronix one 140 w/ cells would cost way too much -- $419 (board) + $349 (boots) -- around 750 - 800 dollars b/c there arent any readily available lower cost packages with those two specific 09 products, and i still have to think about buying a vest and no-stretch rope (if anyone can give me some good links to good products for these that would be very helpful as well)

So im going to a ski shop on Friday to see what they have to offer, and they don't carry Ronix, so i'll have to see if i can find a better deal there and actually get to try on boots so i'll know if i like CT or OT better -- maybe even beat the $499 witness/transit combo

I just want a board that won't be limiting me to a "beginner" level and that will allow me to continually progress in experience, and the witness/transit (from what i have heared other posters say) is a good place to start.

I also had a question about the center fin on the bottom -- i've looked at some posts that say if you use it, it basically edges FOR you so when you dont have that fin on the next board, you have to learn how to do it all over again.. can someone go into more detail about that? like what we should be looking for and what we want on the bottom specifically.. The witness has a "Molded-in Deep, Canted Long Based side fins - Unbelievable hold with large inside face of the fins while maintaining a low outside profile for no hang-ups" as it says on the webpage -- is this alright?

Sorry for such a long post.. but i had alot of questions lol

[pet575]

xjsnxillusion, you're gonna be fine with any of the boards you've mentioned. Odds are, the ski shop is going to carry decent stuff as well. If you stick to the mainstream brands (O'Brien, Liquid Force, HyperLite, Ronix, etc.) it is going to be tough to be stuck on a "beginner" board that you hate. Now, you might find that you want a more aggressive shape or mellower shape after you've ridden for awhile, but you will probably NOT be stuck on a board that is just a POS.

You'd be fine with the witness/transit combo. What is really most important right now is to find bindings that you like. They need to be comfortable and fit right. If they hurt or aren't supportive then you won't be able to ride for very long periods of time and this will stunt your development.

Don't worry about those fins. Molded-in side fins come on most boards now and are just fine because you also get the option of a removable center fin. Just do yourself a favor and buy a board that gives you the option to do it-and then start out riding from the get-go WITHOUT that center fin. It will teach you to use the edges of the board correctly instead of cheating by using the fins.

[xjsnxillusion]

so I found some 08 transits for a really good price

http://boardersmall.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17843&cat=358&page=1

and i've heard that the vantages are somewhat of a step-up from the transits that I was looking at, even though they were 09's.. (am i right in this?) if anyone can post their thoughts of vantage vs transits that would be great. I like the velcro and they look super comfortable

[xjsnxillusion]

I also found these 08 cells for about 50 dollars more than the vantages

http://boardersmall.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17714&cat=601&page=1

[xjsnxillusion]

Okay, so i have basically narrowed my search down to two boards -- 2009 Ronix One or the 2009 Liquid Force Witness 140, but the confusing and most important thing, which everyone said it would be, which bindings to get with which board. I would like to stay under $600, and I am looking at ALL 08 boots, except for these 09 transits that come with this witness/transit deal that I have talked about before... so here are some options and i would love some input from owners of these boots...

If i get the Ronix One over the Witness it jumps my price up about $60 dollars, but i think it might be worth it - and it looks amazing...

1. 2009 LF Witness 140 w/ Transit combo = $499 -- the cheapest of the options and maybe the best one as my first board since im very new??
http://www.boardstop.com/product_info.php?products_id=3775

2. 09 LF Witness 140 w/ 08 Vantage = 360 + 169 = $529 (probably is my number 1 pick right now) in price/quality

3. I have heard alot of good things about the Ronix cell being very supporting and stiff so this could work:
09 LF Witness 140 w/ 08 Ronix Cells = 360 + 219 = $579
but if i went with the Ronix One it would jump the price up
09 Ronix One w/ 08 Ronix Cells = 419 + 219 = $638

4. I have done some research about the LF Watson CT and they seem like they could even be better and more comfortable than the Vantages, but they cost about $100 more.. and i could put them with either board but with the Ronix One it would be well over $670 and toooo much to spend on my first board/bindings

Basically, I'm trying to put a combo together that works with either the LF Witness or the Ronix One, but I really don't know which bindings are most comfortable and reliable in comparing the Vantages, Cells, and Watsons, and i think they are all better than the Transits... any advice would be great

[pet575]

I've never had my feet in any of those, so I can't tell you which ones to choose. Have you put your feet into any of them? I don't think you need to spend $500+ to get yourself a good setup. I still think you'd be fine with the Transits.

[JeffreyCH]

Don't have any experience with any of the gear you are looking at but here's my .02 worth. Pick one and get out and ride

[xjsnxillusion]

lol, i would get out and ride, but the boat is in the shop getting a ski pole installed so i'm using this time to decide the one that i really want.. ill be able to test the boots tomorrow and ill make my decision this weekend

[pet575]

Just in case you didn't see this:

http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=82518&highlight=

[xjsnxillusion]

ty, i had not read that one yet

[xjsnxillusion]

K well since the transits and the vantages are open toe, and i really would rather prefer closed toe -- im looking at the 08 Watsons and the 08 CWB Answer LTD, it has the hinge tech, i've heard that they are good support but not as comfortable.

CWB Answer LTD
http://boardersmall.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17875&cat=356&page=1

[breazy]

my transit bindings just came in monday, They are so easy to put on dry, and extremely comfortable, I'll get to ride em tomorrow, so i'll have more input on them then

[xjsnxillusion]

So i made my choice -- went to a ski shop in tyler, texas and almost bought a cwb transcend with faction OT boots, but i changed my mind and had them order the LF witness 140 w/ transits YAY! my sister also bought the Hyperlite Jade 134 with eden boots. The boat gets out of the shop with the ski pole on it in about a week so we'll get to test it out when my board comes in.. ill post pics soon

thx for all your help in making these decisions guys. yall really gave me some good info to research and think about

[pet575]

Sweet. If you thought you had a lot of questions/research, you'll have 1,000 more after you start riding more.

[xjsnxillusion]

haha, ya i know - i ordered the Book too it will be in a couple days