Looking for a board - would like advice

cooperfly · Criminal Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 61

Some history - currently a slalom skier and kneeboarder. Using a 225 Crownline to pull with no tower. I have used a friends Hyperlite board (not sure what name) and the boots feel loose. My ski boots are very tight. I am 5'10" and 185 age 41 but can still ski.

Would like something that I can use for awhile without upgrading.

Also what size board would I need

Thanks for the help

coop

K-boarder · Newbie Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 14

This should help with size & style http://www.boardstop.com/boardfinder.php?ref=14

Most people recommend the bindings to be very tight so one foot doesn't come out letting the board twist up the other leg.

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

yay my board came up when i entered my info! Great post by the way... im callin sticky this for all the people who make the same "what board should i buy" post.

cooperfly · Criminal Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 61

Thanks K-boarder for the link

It suggests a 138 - 140

But what brand should I buy and what bindings

Sorry for the repeat post but I need help

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

i like LF, some people like HL, alot of people like Slingshot for soft landings and such but im not sure exactly what brands came up for you...

K-boarder · Newbie Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 14

IMHO, Unless you have money to burn find a good used board in the 138-140 range with the right size bindings & ride out. Much of the difference in board design comes down to personal preference. At a beginner level the board isn't gonna matter much.

cooperfly · Criminal Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 61

Thanks

It suggests liquid force, sling shot, Hyperlite and CWB

I was hoping to find some mark down boards local

Prizzy · Soul Rider Joined: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 360 City: Milwaukee

K-boarder, i disagree... after some messing around with the board finder and the styles and agressiveness of riding i found it to be pretty accurate. as a beginner if you plan on progressing i would get a begginner to intermediate board because advanced and expert might be too harsh of a ride on the water. I do however feel that they should refine the search a little more and include categories such as looseness, flex technology and cable v boat.

JeffreyCH · Posted: Aug 11, 2009 3:19 am Post subject:

Personally I like HL, I ride a premier, my brother just bought an Era, and my girls son rides a Motive. The Era and Motive would be a good first board, both can be found in package deals, and on close out. Whatever you look at stay in the intermediate range, I've had a chance this summer to ride 4 different boards. My 07 Premier was a stable predictable ride, broke it, had to ride my old beginner board it was awful. I got my 09 Premier, due to it's re shape for this season it rides kind of loose and took awhile to get used to. I got to ride the 09 Murray, cuts like a knife, I did catch a lot of edges, very unforgiving.

I guess the point I am trying to make is that you will be happy with an intermediate to advanced board, beginner boards are boring and a pro level board will be harder to learn on. The best thing to do is find a couple models that are in your price range, then ask how those specific models ride.

K-boarder · Newbie Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 14

I guess since I started out 15 years ago on a big plastic skurf board with loops for your feet I don't get all worked up over the slight differences in recent boards.

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

K-boarder, I'm about that way with bindings for that same reason, but the boards vary in very noticeable ways. I think it's very important to find a board that fits your riding style. You shouldn't have to get used to a board as much as you should find a board that you are used to. (if that makes sense) In other words, one that rides the way that you do.

cooperfly · Criminal Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 61

I am going out tomorrow night - will take a couple pictures of the Hyperlite board but I do not like the bindings as my feet feel loose. But my slalom ski requires soap to get in them.

Thanks for all the info - will post some pics after tomorrow night

Boost Deuce · Criminal Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 94 City: Fort Collins

my friend gave me his Obrien Clutch 137 and Obrien Link bindings.
This is the first summer i have wakeboarded.
The bindings tore on the trip i went on monday. Tonight i got a pair or Hyperlite Park bindings and i can't wait to try them out. The obriens would loosen up a LOT. The hyperlite bindings wont let me get my foot in them without using dish soap.
Can't wait to try the tight bindings!

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

Boost Deuce, I rode one time with the clutch bindings that came with my board, and never again will they touch one of my boards. I couldn't keep them tight and ended up tying them in a slip knot which I later nearly had to have my friend cut out. The toe and heel lift was ridiculous, and I didn't feel like my feet were staying even remotely in the same place. I bet you'll love the Parks. I've been drooling over the Mareks myself.

Boost Deuce · Criminal Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 94 City: Fort Collins

OperationROL · Criminal Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 92 City: Rockford

As a beginner, I got a HL ERA 147 and State Boots Bindings for my 37 year old, 230 lb body. The board is listed as intermediate to advanced, so I plan to have it for a while. My friends that have used it say that it is a great board even at their advanced level. The Bindings are a great compromise of stability and cost.

cooperfly · Criminal Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 61

This is the board that I have used (friends) Hyperlite Factor 140

Are the feet locations correct - I thought most put them toe out

My feet are very loose in the binding

Boost Deuce · Criminal Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 94 City: Fort Collins

i have one foot straight and the other foot angled. i think the left foot is angled and the right foot is straight. i ride left foot forward.

I tried my Hyperlite Parks bindings today. Wow.
It was like riding on gel. They felt so comfortable like they "formed" to my foot. it was crazy. I really liked them. they were easy to get into using dish soap, and hard to get out of which is perfect.

Anyone looking for bindings, i highly recommend the Hyperlite Parks bindings. They were used (but never used) and i got them for 60 bucks.
Cant get much better than that!

JeffreyCH · Posted: Aug 12, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject:

cooperfly, That's the weirdest set up I've seen. I've seen front ducked/back straight and vise versa, but never both angled like that. Stand next to the board and jump in the air, when you land look at your feet. Each binding should be centered on the board, stance width, and duck out should be determined from the jump test.

WilsonH · Posted: Aug 12, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject:

JeffreyCH is right.. Ducked is the most natural feeling because you naturally Razz

land that way when you jump. (Hence the jump test to get the right ammount of duck) Having your front foot angled out and back foot straight works too but riding switch is much harder and the landing are going to feel a bit awkward.

Christobull · Addict Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 898 City: Tulsa

I can't hardly believe he's being serious. Trying to even imagine how a ST TS jump (or cut for that matter) would even be possible. Somebody was a slalom skier.

cooperfly · Criminal Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 61

Thanks for the info on the boot set-up. I just did the jump test at work. Going to start shopping around and I will post a few pics of boards that I find

thanks for all the info and help