Buying My First Board... Lots of ?'s

PeeDeeRider · Criminal Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 77

OK... I've been casually wakeboarding for 2 summers now and I'm starting to get into serously enough to buy my own board. I've been using my cousin's Hyperlite Vero 143 with O'Brien bindings and I've learned to ride switch, do surface 180's, and go wake to wake heelside (working on toeside with very little luck).

I'm 5' 10" and weigh 145 lbs and I really can't spend more than $300 on a board.

What length of board would be ideal for my height/weight?

What size/type rocker would be best?

Does the board rating (beginner, intermediate, advanced) really mean anything?

Does the quality of bindings have a noticable effect on riding? (b/c my cousin has offered me his O'Brien bindings for free- they look old but they fit me nice and snug and are pretty comfortable). I attached a picture of some bindings that closely resemble the ones im talking about. If it doesn't work I'll post the URL that will take you to the picture.

What size fins are the best for general all around riding? ... the ones on my cousin's board are a good 2.5 inches long- a lot longer than those I've seen on boards in stores

On a different topic... I've been riding behind a boat without a boom/pylon, I can go wake to wake, only heelside; but I land right on top of the opposite wake a lot. Would a boom/pylon improve my jump height/length significantly?

I'm open to any suggestions and your advice will be much appreciated.[img][/img][/img]

Honeytoast0303 · Outlaw Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 149 City: Holyoke

do these look anything like your bindings? (pic below txt)

and about your questions, i proably couldnt help you too much. i dont know much about the effects of different designs, but i would just say to go to a wakeboard shop and ask them to hook you up. tell them what you can do, and what your planning on learning to do. i would expect them to give you something good. with the bindings, i would say use them. you can save some money, and if you like them and theyre comfortable, they should be just fine. and if your planning on ordering online, you may wont to read some of the tips people give you here (other than mine) Laughing

PeeDeeRider · Criminal Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 77

The bindings look like those besides the orange... they're all black and have more flaps of rubber. Thanks for your suggestions!

K-wood Kid · Posted: Aug 03, 2005 9:59 am Post subject:

PeeDeeRider, Its all personal preference man. go out and if possible demo different binding types and see what you like. Good bindings to try for the different types are LF ultras(overlays) HL temets(boa system in front and lace up
CWB Mobe (just laces in front) LF transits (comfy foot bed) or HL byerly's(boa system in back)

BelmontWake · Soul Rider Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Posts: 278

Wait guys he said he can't spend more than $300 on a board (I assume this is bindings too)

You could probably pick up a Liquid Force Omega/Alphas package or maybe a Team/Spynx package for around that much. You'll want around a size 135-139 I'd say.

Honeytoast0303 · Outlaw Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 149 City: Holyoke

PeeDeeRider · Criminal Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 77

I've tried hyperlite state bindings and liquid force alpha bindings... I think im just gonna stick with my free ones.

I've been looking on Ebay for a board and I keep seeing the 2004 liquid force flite 135 selling for a very low price. Does anyone know anything about the flite? I don't want to buy a board just because it's cheap. I have also seen the 2004 Liquid Force Substance sell for around $200 including shipping but it is rated as an advanced board, I'm far from an advanced rider... does that really matter?

theat07 · Posted: Aug 05, 2005 7:34 am Post subject: Response

Well buying a new board can get very tricky because there are so many aspects to look at. POP, EDGE, SIZE etc. Since you already know how to do some tricks you should probly get an intermediate board. Cwb flame would be a good intermediate or the hyperlite state are good packages, there both arount 400$ If you want a good board your going to have to spend a little bit more.