How's this setup?

MXSpeedy · Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

Yep. Another newbie. Sorry. Laughing

Well, not that anyone really cares, but I thought I would introduce myself in my first post. I've been racing motocross since I was 4 years old and that has always been the sport that I love. After a lot of work, I finally turned pro this year. The only problem is, putting on all of that gear every weekend when it's 90-100º outside isn't much fun, and frankly, I'm starting to get burnt out racing in the summer. That's when I thought about wakeboarding.

I've always had a lot of respect for the wakeboarding guys, and I've always felt that wakeboarding and motocross have a lot in common. Both sports are under-rated, neither sport gets the television time it deserves, and both sports take more strength and balls than anyone ever gives them credit for. (And by the way, when I talk about TV coverage, I'm not considering the X-Games- I'm talking about motocross racing. Most racers could care less about the Metal Mulisha and the rest of the freestyle guys. I would rather watch wakeboarding than freestyle motocross, and that's coming from a motocrosser)

Anyways, my family just bought a new boat today, and while I couldn't talk them into a ski-boat, I figured any wakeboarding would be better than no wakeboarding. Just wanted to hear some opinions on this setup and how far I will be able to progress before I need a new board or boat.

Boat: 2005 Rinker 212 Captiva with a MerCruiser 350 MPI MAG Alpha 300 HP Engine. Approx 3120lbs dry. No tower or pylon.

Board: CWB Sol 135 with Mobe bindings

I realize this isn't the best setup, but considering most all of my money goes into racing I couldn't afford a great board or bindings. I got setup with the CWB with bindings for $220 so I couldn't pass it up. We're taking the boat out on it's maiden voyage tomorrow, so I will be able to try out the board tomorrow too. I wakeboarded on a Wal-Mart board about 4 years ago and was able to jump wake-to-wake, so I'm not too concerned with getting up. (I'll probably end up eating my words tomorrow though Laughing

)

Like anyone else here, I like to be competitive in anything that I do. I hate being a newbie, but you have to start somewhere, right? This forum has really got me pumped up to ride, so I can't wait until tomorrow! Any opinions, tips, etc would be really helpful and appreciated.

Thanks a lot Cool

PoRT · Criminal Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 81 City: New Orleans

Lol, funny you say that, i come from a similar background.. I raced amature motocross and then switched over to racing my gsxr 1000. after getting engaged, i have no more toys, lol. so i was looking to find a new hobby and love wakeboarding. i just started also. since i am a begginer myself, i will let one of the more experienced guys/girls help you, i just wanted to say hello b/c i can relate to your story. good luck with everything - Tim

ckligor · Soul Rider Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Posts: 454 City: A-town

I think thats a decent board and I think CWB is the stuff. The old version of that board is the Inferno, great ride but the bindings I hated.

nan0 · Criminal Joined: 08 Aug 2005 Posts: 55 City: San Jose

I've been boarding for a few years now, but this season was the first time I bought a 'real' wakeboard... up until now (since '95) i've been riding a directional Perez signature series.... a shorter twin tip makes a huuuuge difference in what you can do.

Speaking as a recreational wakeboarder, that setup is all you need. My parents have a '86 Chaparral openbow, currently no tower (soon, very soon!) and I still have a sh|t kickin time behind it. They're kind enough to let me keep it at my house and upgrade it (stereo, that tower i speak of). The main thing is - like you said - it floats, it tows, what more can you ask for?

As for needing a new boat, you shouldn't for a long, long time. The amount of aftermarket addons you can do will keep you happy for a while. Add a tower, add a ballast system, speakers, lights, yadda yadda.

D420 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 279 City: NAPLES

that setup will get you where you want to go. i would suggest reading about progressive edge, and get a non stretch rope. good luck

MXSpeedy · Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

Thanks for the advice guys. My family actually took the Rinker back to the dealer the next day because our F150 was working so hard to pull it, and we were afraid we wouldn't be able to climb Colorado's mountain passes to get to Lake Powell without ruining the truck in the process. It turned out to be a good thing. We ended up getting another boat from the same dearler, and this one came with a tower and a pylon.

It's a Reinell 205BR rated at 270HP. It's not as heavy so I imagine the wake won't be quite as big, but I'm still stoked to try it out.

Also, my friend used to be a pretty decent wakeboarder until he sold his ski boat, and now he has all of his leftover boards. He's letting me borrow his Hyperlite Parks 143 for the weekend. I'm not sure what year it is, but he says he has only ridden it once before he had to sell his boat. He paid $600 for it and is offering to sell it to me for $400. I'm thinking the 143 will be a bit big for me though.

Anyways, thanks for the help, and it's good to see some fellow motocrossers on here Port Very Happy

PeeDeeRider · Criminal Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 77

sweet boat, I'd definitely say it's an upgrade from the other one. you can always add some ballast to kick some bigger wake.

MXSpeedy · Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

Thanks PeeDee! We just took it out today and it was MUCH better. The wake was very close to the same size but had a much better shape. Plus, it was my first time wakeboarding with a tower and not only did I get less tired, I was jumping way further than I ever had before. I used to struggle to jump wake to wake, but with the tower, I would do my usual jump and end up out in the flats. I'm stoked!

Kampus-slide · Addict Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 527 City: Tucson

well its good to see a newb so stoked about wakeboarding.

russell21 · Newbie Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 40

hey i have the same board and when i land it feels like i am landing on pillows its so comfortable

MXSpeedy · Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

Russell21, that's good to hear! I tend to land on my face most of the time and when I do happen to land on my board, I'm usually casing the wake Laughing

In all seriousness, I have noticed it absorbs the landings much better than the Hyperlite Parks 143 that I tried. It doesn't seem to carve near as well though. But for now, the CWB Sol is definitely good enough for me. I added 5ft to the rope this weekend (Now 65ft) and can land on the downside of the wake the majority of the time, so I'm getting really excited and anxious to start trying tricks. I would guess that grabs and 180's would be the best thing to start out with, huh?

Blindside_137 · Posted: Aug 15, 2005 2:03 pm Post subject:

yup, grabs come after w2w and 180s. but you should also work on ollies and some switch riding and when you get them down, you can do tons more tricks...switch and regular

MXSpeedy · Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Posts: 16

Yeah, good point, I guess I should learn to ride switch before I go trying 180's! Laughing