helping my brother

ak62 · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 City: Coal Grove

Since I was able to stand up, my brother is wanting to learn to wakeboard too. He is having trouble though. I told him how I stand up and he is able to get the board to start to plane out but never can get it completly out of the water. We think that since he is heavier than me (and the rated weight of the board) that is the problem. We are both the same height and i'm 135 lbs. hes about 220 lbs. the board says no more than 210 lbs. We are both athletic and he is a good bit stronger than me with his legs and upper body so that is why we think its a weight problem. Are we right or will he get it with time?

FLWake · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 274

How powerful is the boat? Last year we had this guy who was about 235 and we were on a Sea Ray with a 110 outboard motor so it took a long long time for him to get up. If the engine is small you might have the same problem, but what we did was load up as much weight in the back to keep the engine low and that helped.

ak62 · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 City: Coal Grove

My boat is by no means a wakeboarding boat. Its an 18 ft alumacraft bass boat with a 90 hp evinrude. I don't think there is any way to put weight in the back or else it would swamp the boat.

FLWake · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 274

I bet the motor size is the problem then. It will take a long long time for him to get up because the engine just can't work hard enough, but he'll be able to do it if he is determined (and strong) enough. I would just try to gun it and if he can hold on long enough he should be able to get up.

If there is another solution then I don't know it, but I know having smaller motors like that is hard for bigger guys to get up.

ak62 · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 City: Coal Grove

Well, a bigger motor is out of the question because the boat is maxed out at 90. He is a fairly strong guy (came in 5th at the state weight lifting meet) so we'll see what happens. Thanks for the advice.

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

ak62, the boat is not the problem. 90hp should be enough. I got up (back when I was 185) behind a 30hp. How big of a board are you guys using?

The issue with most guys is they try to pull themselves up. Especially strong guys.

The biggest 2 things you should tell him:
1. Knees all the way to to your chest and keep them there until you're all the way out of the water.
2. Arms all the way out. You don't pull yourself up.

If you keep telling him that and watching him he will get up in just a few tries.

Tell him to picture it like this. When you are sitting on the ground and want someone to help you up you pull your knees in and let your arms out. If you do it the other way there's no way they could pull you up.

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

I disagree... 90 is plenty if he is getting up with good technique... I'd bet you could get up behind a 30-40hp outboard without a problem. Wakeboards have lots of surface area and should plane out pretty easily.

ak62 · Newbie Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 15 City: Coal Grove

LF Stance 138 Weight range: 120 lbs. to 210 lbs.
He does seem to try to pull himself up. His arms look like he is doing cable rows with the boat.
I'll tell him to stop his weight lifting workout while in the water and keep his knees bent.

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

The boards "rating" doesn't matter, I can get out on a Hyperlite Juvi 131 if you like Laughing

and I'm close to 200lbs.

That's just a recommended weight for riders.. bigger rider = bigger board. But doesn't mean you can't ride smaller or larger.

pet575 · Posted: Aug 30, 2007 7:28 am Post subject:

+1 to Wakebrad and ontrider. It is all about staying down until you get the board on plane. Have him stand up only after the board is on plane. Just about any size motor will pull you up if you follow that one rule, it is just a matter of being patient and understanding that it is the only way he is going to make it up.

HHI Dave · Posted: Sep 08, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject:

My boat has 135hp and I weigh 230 lbs. I can pop right up behind it.

Technique > Power

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Sep 08, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject:

The board size isn't the problem. I've seen 280 lb guys get up on a 108 cm wakeskate, so he's got plenty of board, and plenty of power for that matter

Giff · Newbie Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 9

I agree that the engine size isn't the problem. I am 210 and can easily get up on a wakeskate behind a jet ski. The problem is probably his technique. A lot of bigger guys that I try to teach dig their heels in and never get the board under them. I have had good luck having them try to push the board under water when the rope is tight, just before starting. This forces the board to go under them and makes it much easier to get the board to plane. Good luck.