Another noob?! Boat+Board Q's

[CUwake]

So I just bought an OTE Verge off craigslist for $80 and decided to try riding 3 weeks ago. Been out probably 10 times in the 3 weeks . Well I tore the bindings all to hell after a few runs and ordered Hyperlite sprints to throw on it last Tuesday. Lately I've been using my buddies Hyperlite Motive and have been really liking it. Today I managed to land 2 feet from w2w so I was quite happy. Got a surface 180 and rode switch for about 5 seconds before faceplanting trying to get back to goofy.

I'm pulling behind a 17 hydrosports center console with a 90 Johnson and I feel like it throws out a decent wake. It's a little struggle getting up though.



Anyone else pull behind a center console? Any recommendations or tips? I know I need to get rid of this ski rope. I do a lot of custom work with Jeeps and was thinking about trying to fab up a small bar to go over the outboard for a little more air.

Also I'll be looking at boards soon, me and a buddy are splitting one. I definitely consider myself a beginner but my friend can nail 360s and attempts backflips and the sort so I'm wondering what would be a good board for both of us. I weigh 175 he's around 190-195.