wake to wake woes

Colclough999 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 410 City: Boston

I'm not really a newb but I'm not really in touch with the wakeboard culture. I need to know if my boards holding me back. Im 6'2 160 pounds and i'm getting a new board soon, but im wondering if its worth it. Currently im riding an O'Brien 134 swindle. So I went out for the time this year hoping to step it up a notch form last and tried to go wake 2 wake but i continued to land ON the wake time after time. that was with every once of effort i could manage. can I expect a big difference if i purchase a bigger board? if so, do you think a 2004 hyperlite byerly would be a smart choice? also what size should i get?

ontrider · Ladies Man Joined: 30 Jul 2003 Posts: 16491 City: Russia

A bigger board will help, it definitely won't hurt you.

But most people will just tell you (me too) that you probably just need to work on your technique if you're having trouble going w2w.

If you've got an I/O or something with a small wake that's really wide and is ridiculous to clear, shorten your rope then.

daytomann · Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2004 Posts: 24 City: Oklahoma City

Yeah, you got to work on your speed to the wake as well.
There's alot of factors, what type of boat you are behind, speed you generate to the wake, technique, boat speed, rope length, etc.

As far as a board goes...You need a longer board for sure..136-138 IMO. Unless you buy a LF Fish, LOL.

I'm not sure that a Bylerly will help you .... If you have the right tecnique you should be able to clear the wake on just about any board.

If you decide to get a new, longer board you need to consider the rocker type on the board. I have no idea what kind of rocker the O'Brien 134 swindle has but A Bylerly is a 3 stage so its gonna pop you high but doesnt give you a ton of distance plus a 3 stage is a little slower on the water than a board with a continuous rocker. Continuous rocker boards will carry more speed towards the wake and take you further out than a 3 stage, you just wont go as high. Boards with an abrupt contiuous rockeris good too, its a combo of the two types. Hyperlite has some good info in their new brouchure about rocker types and their characteristics, you might check it out.
You may want to invest on a good instructional video as well.

Insanetoast · Newbie Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 21 City: Wisconsin

Youre board is too small but ontrider is right you just need to work on your technique and you should be able to clear the wake with your board you have now.

Texasboarder · Newbie Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 5 City: Kingwood, TX

Rope length and boat speed are important factors to consider. Start at 55 or 60 ft. With a slightly under sized boat more boat speed probably would help. 21 to 23 seem to work well for the group I ride with.

Edge progressively into the wake and pop of the top. Once you get it you'll wonder how it could have been so hard previously.