I can't start off... What could be the problem ?

Yammax · Last edited by Yammax on Jun 07, 2005 6:43 am; edited 1 time in total

Hi !

First, let me say that I'm french and its the first time of my life that I write in english. In this way, excuse my langage but I do the best I can.

Ok, I have a Maxum 17 feets with a I/O mercruiser 140 hp. I am 185 pounds and I have a (cheap) wakeboard of 140. I do water ski since 3 years and I do windsurf from 15 years too.

Here's the problem: I try to start off a lot of time this week-end and the only thing I got is a big big big wave in my face... and 3-4 inches more longer on my arms. I have read a lot of texte on this forum and understand a lot of thing but first, I'm not sure that boat as enough power to pull me out of the water. What is your opinion on this ?

Second, after reading some text on this forum, I'm not sure what is the best way for the captain: put the gas maximum in one shot or slowly ?

Thanks

Yammax

triggrman · Criminal Joined: 20 May 2005 Posts: 54 City: Nashville

I pull a guy that's 250 lbs behind a Yamaha xlt 800 waverunner with no problem, it took him awhile to learn how to get up but the boat wasn't the issue. What works best for us pulling is, tighten slack, move up to about 10 mph, then to 15 mph then to 20 mph.

wkebrd3 · Posted: Jun 07, 2005 5:12 am Post subject:

If you're getting a big wave of water in your face, I'd say that you weren't letting the board come up and plane out of the water, which means you're pushing the board with your legs.

EDIT: The boat will have plenty of power to get you up. You don't need to use full throtle to start, just ease it up to cruising speed.

Tmac1 · Posted: Jun 07, 2005 7:18 am Post subject:

let the boat and the board do their work -- as the boat begins to pull you -- turn the board to allow it to plane on the water --- sounds like you are not turning the board....

toughnuts88 · Newbie Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 47 City: middleton

dude i have taught a lot of people and the easy way is to let boat go full thot and the push down with your legs and tilt your toes to the boat this will throw u up then when u are almost up twist the board around then just ride.

SkyHighCoaster · Criminal Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 80 City: Oklahoma City

My method for teaching people that are new to wakeboarding is that you have to 1. keep the board in tight under you. What i mean by that is keeping your knees in closer to your chest with the board out in front. Also point your toes toward the boat.
2. Now from that posistion you want to let the board and boat do the work. Resist the urge to let the boat pull you over the top of the board (this will lead to a big wave in the face).
3. You have to keep that board in front of you, and keep in that squated posistion untill you can rotate the board to your riding posistion. ( if u stay with the board in tight knees bent until u have enough speed and stability to stand then u wont go over the top)
4. Stand up.

Just keep working at it man, you will get it soon enough.

Wallrat · Posted: Jun 08, 2005 4:16 pm Post subject:

I've noticed that alot of beginners need to have the boat take off slower. Try getting into position with your knees up towards your chest and think about which foot needs to go forward. Have your driver pop it in gear to get a little forward movement then when you yell have him accelerate SLOWLY. Keep your arms straight at this point and lean back. Let your forward foot point towards the boat and stay sitting down and leaning back until you're sure the board is up on a plane.

Yammax · Posted: Jun 08, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject:

Mermaid · Addict Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 844

If you put only your lead knee between your arms, keep your arms straight, knees bent, the boat doesn't have to go slow to pick you up out of the water and your board will turn naturally, no big wave in your face. Lead knee between your arms.

Yammax · Posted: Jun 10, 2005 9:15 pm Post subject:

Hi gang !

It's done ! Laughing

I did it !!! Yyyyyyeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssss ! Very Happy

What I understand this afternoon is to put my legs between my arms. In this way, my knees are mostly bent and my head was over the tide wave... and it's works !

Thanks to everybody answered my questions.

Yammax

DadKid · Outlaw Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 140 City: Ottawa

Felicitations!
Your English is excellent too for a linguistic Newbie