Wakeboard for the Big and Tall.

The Piper · Newbie Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 City: Victorville

Alright...I'm 6'1" and 209lbs.

I'm looking for some input on boards that work well for someone my size. I currently ride a Hyperlite Motive 140 at the suggestion of my local shop. When I asked about the 144 I was told "it's only 4cm, it won't make that much of a difference", of course they didn't have the 144 in stock at the time. I like the board but I'm starting to think the extra 4cm of length and the area it creates would definitely help.

I can get distance but not much height because I tend to plow throw the lip of the wake. I'm going to weight my boat more to increase the wake but beyond that I think I'm still going to need a bigger/different board.

Suggestions?

Thanks
Sean

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

I'm 6'1 and 190#s and I ride a 136. Now it is a little bit too small for my liking. I think a 138 would be perfect for me.

It has a lot to do with preference. 140 is definately big enough but if you want to sit on top of the water more and you like the stability of the larger board in the water you could stand to go up a size. 4cm is a lot in a wakeboard.

It sounds to me like your technique is probably the problem more than the board. If you have a video it would be helpful. To get really good height you have to pump the transition (dip in the wake) and then really extend off the top of the wake. You might be cutting really hard at the wake but not timing your extension which is causing you to cut right through the wake instead of jumping off it. Try taking a slower cut into the wake and work on really extending your legs off the top of the wake. You should have your legs really bent and then when you start coming up the wake you time the release of your jump so you are fully extended at the top of the wake.

Also adding some extra speed will cure the problem you're having if you really just don't like the smaller board.

I would demo a new board before you go buy one right off. It might not cure your problem

chaz28o · Posted: Oct 26, 2004 2:21 pm Post subject:

I'm 5'9" and 185# (yeh there's a lil chub there, but now that it's dirtbike season, that'll burn off)

I really like my Biolite 143 - I could probably get away with a 138, but the 143 is cheaper than the 138 (if buying new)

It's got pretty good rocker on it, so it's a little squirley if you land in the center - but it'll dig in fast (get stable) if you stay relaxed on it.

The Piper · Newbie Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 City: Victorville

Funny that you mention video. I just got back from three days at the Colorado River and got some of the first video of myself. I definitely need to work on technique and keeping it consistent. I keep my edge through the wake most of the time now, however; you're exactly right, I still have to work on timing my extension.

I just need to slow down and not get impatient and develop bad habits.

I'll have to demo some boards in the 143 and up range. I know it won't cure the problem but it might give me a more appropriate tool for my size to develop better technique with.

Thanks for the info on the Biolite 143. Is that the 3ds model? That is one of the boards I am interested in trying.

Anyone out there ride a Roam 144, State 145, or Era 147

Thanks
Sean

640Pressman · Addict Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Posts: 753

When You go to demo boards take a look at the blindSide blade 142 http://wakeworld.com/boardguide/getboard5.asp?ProductID=2365

The Piper · Newbie Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 City: Victorville

Thanks for the link Walt, the Blade sounds like a sweet board, I want to get my hands (Feet!) on one quick. I've been stuck in Hyperlite land so it's good to hear about something else.

Thanks
Sean

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

There's definately some other good options for boards out there other than Hyperlite.

The 140 is not "too small" for you. If you are looking for something that would suite you it seems that a 140 motive would be a good board. A 144 might not be a better tool for you but you could demo one and find out.

Video helps so much on learning what you're doing and what you need to correct. I would use that as a tool as much as you can.

The roam is a specialized board made for doing presses on sliders. I wouldn't consider that unless you are a master at sliders... It's not really designed for the wake as much.

Pat McCarthy · Posted: Oct 27, 2004 9:22 am Post subject:

A 140 is not too small, but a 142 or 143 would be the ideal size for you.

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

I'm 6'3" 200lbs and ride a DU Nelson 141. Plenty of pop in that board for big guys.

The Piper · Newbie Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 City: Victorville

It's been a fun four weeks trying to find boards to try out and then actually trying them was even better. I was fortunate enough to ride some great boards from Liquid Force, Blindside, CWB, O'Brien, and Hyperlite. Many of the other board manufacturers are impossible to find demos. I really wanted to try something from Gator, Krown and Double Up

I settled on the Era 147 (Yeah...I know...that's a big ass board!!!). After seeing the videos of Brett and Brandon Lee tearin' it up on an Era 142 I dont feel so bad. The weight gain of 5 extra centimeters is minimal.

I sit higher out of the water and it's a little looser. I ride it without the center fin which lets it break loose on the surface real easy, however; with the molded in fins, channels, cupped rails and my weight, I can weight the tail slightly and the board edges, hooks, and accelerates like its on rails.

I don't think I'll ever go back to a continuous rocker. The pop from three stage rockers is incredible Shocked

. I went from two feet of height W2W on my Motive to Four feet of height W2W on most of the boards I tried, all 3 stage. And that is cutting outside the wake maybe two thirds of the distance that i used to.

One thing I noticed is that the Era without the center fin and the Blade felt a lot alike (at least to me). Two fins, cupped rails, 3 stage...very similar!

Thanks for all of the suggestions.
Sean

wira · Newbie Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 10 City: singapore

wassup guys...im new in the wakeboarding world.i wanted to get a wakeboard.im 1.78m in height and 65kg in weight.and im wearing size 9 in shoes.any suggestions...also pls quate for shipping price as well as im from singapore...i just love wakeboarding....i don't mind if its a second hand board....not looking for expensive or highend board because im rather budjet... Rolling Eyes

The Piper · Newbie Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 12 City: Victorville

So that's about 5'10" 143 Lbs. for us non-metric people.

Try www.boardstop.com It's mentioned a lot of other places around this site and they have a great board selection tool.

Sean

LFADAM · Posted: Dec 08, 2004 4:48 pm Post subject:

this is good to know that there are plenty of tall big wakeboarders out there because I am worried that Ill be to big to be any good, Im supposed to be about 6'4" and im guessing around 200+. I am only 5'10 or 11" and 135-140 pounds and 13 1/2 yrs old now but I grew 5 1/2 inches in the last year which really sucks because I saved for 2 yrs to get a new set up (LF trip 133 with XL Alphas) and by spring I wont be able to use it and I LOVE my set up. My feet have already grown 2 full sizes (11->13) since september and I have plenty of growing to do.

I cant get 400 bucks for my set up like I bought it for so do u think I should sell it on ebay, save another year, and get like a 139 (LF team looks real nice) or ride my 133, or jump to a Substance 141? (I have that board too)

wira · Newbie Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 10 City: singapore

tanx for the conversion to metrix...so im 5'10 and 143lbs with size 9 shoes...what board u reckon