Help choosing 1st wakeboard!

chiroken · Newbie Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 3

Hello all, 1st time here, never wake boarded, plan to start this summer.

I'm 38, male, 6'2", 185lbs, size 11 shoe, athletic. I've never been sideways on anything before (ie snow board, skate board). I'd say my balance is very good (fairly high level ice hockey and I'm an aggressive downhill skier). I'm obviously a beginner but I assume I would progress fairly quickly to an intermediate.

I've read posts, online buying guides etc but I'm not sure where I fit in. I want a board that will allow me to cut hard on the wake, progress to wake jumping, probably basic tricks like spins. I doubt I will get inverted (those days are past me!)

I will be in the ocean as well as a large lake so small riffles would be fairly common, won't always be on water like "glass".

I don't want to spend big dollars, I'm completely fine with previous year's stock (would prefer this for the savings). I've seen several combo sets in the $280-300 range but don't know what characteristics to look for in a board. I've read posts saying the boots on combo sets are garbage? Really? What about closed versus open toed? I'd like friends to periodically be able to use it so am I best to go with open toed boots?

I get confused trying to decifer round edge vs. square edge, molded vs. bolt on fins, how many fins and what size. Then throw in board length. The charts seem to put me in a 141cm board?

Any advice you can give would be very much appreciated.

Ken

JeffreyCH · Posted: Mar 26, 2010 2:43 pm Post subject:

I started at age 36 on a Hydroslide Matrix.....biggest POS ever lol. I onlt rode it for a few months before I got a '07 Hyperlite Premier, I now ride an '09 Premier. Whatever you do don't buy a board labeled as 'beginner' it will get stale fast. The premier is an advanced level and I really like it. Stick to the quality brands such as hyperlite, ronix, liquid force, cwb ect.

Yes the package deals usually come with low end bindings, but by low end they aren't necessarily crappy. If you stick to the brands I mentioned they will be fine for a few seasons.

I had a pair of '07 HL states (ot) and they were decent, my brother still rides 'em 3 years later. If your friends have different sized feet then OT for sure. I have a pair of Murray CT's and I'm the only one that can fit in them.

I'm not sure about rounded vs. square edges. Molded fins are molded into the board, 4 of em, 1 on each corner, then will usually have a removable center fin. Removable fins you can take all of them off.

A 141 will be the right size for you at your weight, I weigh 215 and ride a 141.

TnR6Rida · Posted: Apr 06, 2010 5:19 pm Post subject:

chiroken, Go with a 138 or 139 as far as size. I personally like closed toed bindings, but some people perfer open toe. More and mroe people are going with closed now though. Check out the Lyman, Watson, Shane, Some of Ronix's stuff. If you have any questions about any specific boards feel free to pm me.

chiroken · Newbie Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 3

Thanks for the info guys...any more tips on what to look for in a board would be great!

jondextan · Criminal Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 52

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gator-Gonzalez-Wakeboard-143-CT-Bindings_W0QQitemZ350330778109QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item51915771fd#ht_4686wt_1098

here's my suggestion. Very Happy

chiroken · Newbie Joined: 26 Mar 2010 Posts: 3

Thanks jon for the suggestion, however, this board on the link you gave is rated for over 210lbs and I'm 185lbs. Does this much weight difference put me at a disadvantage when riding this board? Perhaps this exact board comes in different lengths, I didn't see any shorter boards in the same line.

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

shawn watson old pro model board.. the newer 2009 and 2010 watson boards are just redfined of this one... i just bought one as a back up board and for friends to ride.. great pop, and easy to ride... i only paid 150 for mine total you should be able to get this about the same or cheaper..

http://cgi.ebay.com/LIQUID-FORCE-SUBSTANCE-138-WAKEBOARD-BOARD-NEW_W0QQitemZ300415101082QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45f222a89a

or you can just buy this 2009 watson board.. its a 142 good for ur size.. id stay between the 138-143 range...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-LIQUID-FORCE-WAKEBOARD-WATSON-142CM-2ND-2009_W0QQitemZ250483431975QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3a51f9da27

good pair of bindings for u.. might be a little big but i doubt it since its open toe..

http://cgi.ebay.com/08-Liquid-Force-Watson-OT-Bindings-size-12-13_W0QQitemZ220555630843QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item335a23d8fb