Beginner-Intermediate: Learning the Ropes

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

What up guys,

Been lurking on this forum for about a week now, and have learned some great info already. To make a long story short, I have boarded a little with some of my buddies in the past and have done pretty well (no w2w or aerials or anything, just riding) but my parents recently sold our pontoon boat and got a sea ray that I can wake behind. I was just needing some opinions on what would be a good setup for me. I'm 6'1, about 160 pounds with an athletic build. Like most beginners, I want a board that I can keep for several years and still continue to progress on. I will spend a lot of time on it and tend to pick things up pretty quick, so like I said, I want a board that will progress with me. Based on my weight, I figure I need to be around a 138-140cm board, correct?

Anyways, here are a few boards I've been looking at. Let me know what ya think?

LF PS3 (I like this one, but maybe too advanced???)
LF Witness
Ronix One
CWB Faction/Kink

Also, I can pick up a CWB Faze with bindings at my local gander mountain for like $229, but my understanding is that this is strictly a beginner board and will get old quick?

When it comes to bindings I really don't know what I need to be looking for. I wear a size 13 shoe, so I'm thinking maybe something open-toed would be best. That's about where my knowledge on the subject stops.

Thanks in advance for all your help guys. My main sport is motocross, but now that we have a boat capable of wakeboarding behind, this will give me something to do on the weekends that I'm not racing MX. Thanks again.

brichter14 · Addict Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 705

Lol were kinda in the same boat :pun intended:

i ride a cwb faze and have rode it for the past 3 years, you will need size XL bindings, i wear a 13 also.

The faze is a great board for intermediates, you will enjoy it for years to come. With the faze you can do all kind of tricks, i do backrolls, 360's, and all sorts of 180 grabs wake to wake.

Point is, go for the faze if its in your pricerange, yeah there are more advance boards out there but if your not doing w2w's yet the faze will treat you great.

and i also ride behind a sea ray, if you wanna wakeboard behind it alot you should get a 4 or 5 blade prop, i have a mercury high five 17 pitch and its amazing for holding speed and quick hole shots. Just put about 400 lbs in the bow and a few people in the back and the wake will be great.

JeffreyCH · Posted: May 28, 2010 10:51 am Post subject:

With bindings the best thing to do is try some on if at all possible. I wear a size 13 also and have HL Murray closed toes, fit great and are super comfortable. I had open toes before and I really like the closed toe a lot better. My brother started on a faction and didn't like it, switched to a HL Era about half way through the season. I rode it a couple times and didn't care for it either but it was on the small side for me (it was a 136or8 and I am 225lbs)

GnarShredd · Posted: May 28, 2010 10:57 am Post subject:

I recommend the witness or the PS3 if you can afford a setup like that. Both boards are built solid and will keep you shredding from baby steps up to tricks you'll probably never be able to do!

I ride a 2009 witness now and love it. Can be really advanced if you want (watch videos with Tom Fooshee, it's his pro deck), but it always feels like it's under control and even pretty forgiving at times. I can't speak to the PS3 except to the fact that I know it's a very popular shape for most skill-levels and I haven't heard of many, if any, people who dislike it.

If you really plan on wakeboarding quite a bit, it's worth it to spend a little more for a nice setup that will last you multiple seasons. You can also look in to the 2009 models if you want to save some cash (stores need to get rid of these to make room so they'll sell boards that have never seen the water for pretty cheap sometimes). The shapes didn't really change much year to year so you'll basically be getting the 2010 deck with a different graphic (some of the durability technology changed, but that will only really matter if you're hitting TONS of rails/kickers).

See what's affordable, and maybe take a test-ride if you can. But I'd recommend either of those two decks, you'll be a happy camper.

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Keep em comin. I need all the info I can get.

Britcher, it's cool to hear that the faze worked well for you. That seems to be about the cheapest option at the moment. It's good to know I can get a decent setup that cheap that would do what I need it to do. Honestly, I am prepared to spend more money than that and still may. I just don't want to buy a board that I will outgrow ability-wise within a year or two.

I really liked the PS3 but I thought it may be too aggressive for me at first, and a board I didn't mention earlier that I also liked was the B-side. I guess I'm just looking for any input on a good setup that will help me progress as a rider. I don't mind it being a little difficult to originally get started as long as it will progress with me as my abilities increase. Thanks again and keep the suggestions comin. I'm open to anything. I would rather spend extra money now and not have to buy another one in a year or two when I'm a better rider.

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Thanks GnarShredd... Yea the witness looks like a good setup, and like you said I would really like to find some 09 or 08 models that I could get cheap. My only problem is that there really isn't anywhere around for me to try stuff on. I'm kinda just shopping blind. Don't really plan on hitting any rail or kickers or anything like that. Mainly just gonna be out on KY lake.

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Would I be better off buying a package deal or trying to buy the board and bindings seperate? Like I said earlier, I wear a size 13 shoe and am looking for some boards that are a year or two old on clearance but it's tough to find packages that have my shoe size in stock. This is about the closest thing I've found to what I'm looking for, and still it's just 10-12.

http://www.summitonline.com/adult-wakeboards-with-bindings/c1000002194/liquid-force-witness-wakeboard-with-ultra-bindings-adult-2010-p180616.html

Nate54SoCal · Newbie Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 31 City: LA

Maddog, my I've ridden on my buddy's Witness and I have a PS3. They are both great boards. The Witness rides a touch higher in the water and felt real nimble. The PS3 rides a touch lower, but is still real easy to flick around. It comes down to personal preference. Both give you real nice pop at the wake and I believe the rockers are almost the same. Hope this helps a little.

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

you can get a lyman and vantage open toes bindings in your size for 315! thats a really good set up for cheap.. evo gear is having a huge sale.. idk how much you weigh? so you can pick your size..

http://www.evogear.com/outlet/wakeboards/liquid-force-lyman-wakeboard-2009.aspx

bindings...
http://www.evogear.com/outlet/wakeboard-bindings/liquid-force-vantage-boots-2009.aspx

TheMidwestMaster · Newbie Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 3

For the 2010 stuff packages will always be cheaper. You're saving about $150 on that Witness/Ultra package. The 10-12 Ultras will probably be too small for you. I also wear a size 13 and the 12-15 boots are so unbelievably comfortable but the 10-12 are a little small. Good luck on your search though!

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

bridges, that's like $418 but still, seems like a pretty good setup and isn't out of my price range. As for size, I weigh about 160 lbs. I'm thinkin the 139 in the lyman, or if I go with somethin else just trying to keep it around 138 to 140. Sound about right?

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

no its only 315! use the code BBB when checking out and its 315..

there having a huge 25 percent off sale so u better buy before it runs out not sure how much longer that will be though...

u cud go 138-141 im 6 foot 160 and ride a marek 141 so anything in that range and your good..

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

i just checked the sell ends june 5th... when you go to add them to your cart, add them seperate not in a package deal because its cheaper than the package deal..

there is also a s4 ltd thats still there and even a 09 marek 141 is still there and its 314 bucks.. if you wanted to spend about 500 u cud get u a marek 141 and some marek closed toe bindings that match.. its alot of $$$ but thats what i have and love it..

s4 ltd is $235
lyman is $165
marek is $314

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Ok thanks a lot man. I wasn't aware of that. I think I may jump on that deal. Once again, thanks bro!

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

no problem!

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Hey bridges, what would be a good set of bindings to go with the S4? Just kinda weighing my options here.

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

u can get those vantage open toes for pretty cheap on evo gear or you can get some watson closed toes that match that ltd board pretty good.. what size do you need in a closed toe?

TNPIG · Newbie Joined: 31 May 2010 Posts: 4

I picked up the CWB Faze and rode it this weekend. It was the first time I've ever wakeboarded, so I really don't have anything to compare it to. Once I FINALLY craked the code on getting up, I really enjoyed it. It was alot more of a workout than I thought it would be, but there's nothing wrong with that. I just have to learn to stay up now!

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

I'd say I probably need a 12-13. I wear a 13 shoe so I'm assuming they fit pretty true to size. I like for the bindings to be pretty tight though. On Evogear, they are out of the vantage CT in that size. Just the 11-12 left. Confused

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

measure ur foot with a ruler and see exactly how many inches it is then i can tell you what size..

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

if you get that s4 ltd this watson closed toes wud look pretty sick on there and match up really good.. there on ebay in your size right now for 150 (19 hours left but shudnt get much higher) there also is a brand new pair for 229 in ur size for a buy it now price so the s4 ltd for 235 and watson closed toes say u get the new ones for 230 total of 465.. not to bad if thats ur range though..
(you can prolly get the new ones for 200 even if you ask the people if they will take it..)

used ones for 150 right now..
http://cgi.ebay.com/09-Liquid-Force-Watson-Closed-Toe-Bindings-Size-12-13-/180512833076?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a07673e34

brand new for 230
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Liquid-Force-Wakeboard-Bindings-Watson-2009-12-13-/250483441647?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a51f9ffef

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Cool man, thanks for the heads up. I didn't expect you to put all this time and work into finding somebody that you don't even know a setup haha, but thanks a ton. Measured my foot and from the back of my heel to my to (barefooted) was just over 11.5 inches.

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

haha its cool, ur not the first person i have helped.. someone has to help people out so i might as well do it haha.. and looking for stuff for other people helps out because i know were to look and can find it real fast.. only takes 5-10 minutes if that..

my foot is just barely over 10 on a ruler and i have size 10 marek closed toes and i have just a little bit of room at the end and they fit perfect... u shud be able to get a 11-12 and not have any problems at all..

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Ok cool, i wasn't sure how the CT boots fit really when compared to tennis shoes. One last question... If one of my buddies comes up that wears like a size 10 or something like that, it won't be a big deal for them to use my bindings will it? Like I said, I am the primary user and am assembling this board to fit me, not anybody else, but I do want to make sure other people will be able to use my board without too many issues if the need arises. I like the CT boots, but would I be better off to go with somethin OT?

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

open toe fits more of range of people because most go atleast 2 sizes if not more.. closed toes are more for one person.. so say you get the watson closed toes that are size 11-12 then ur buddy that wears a size 10 puts them on he is gunna have alot of room and if happens to do a trick, jump the wake and his foot slams against the end he is gunna be in a lot of pain lol.. do u have old set up? he cud just use that set up.. il see if i cant find some watson open toes in a 11-12..

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

alright found a heck of a deal for u.. it ends in one day though. its for those vantages. size 11-12 only 140 bucks for them brand new so thats 235 for s4 and 140 for vantages!!
and ur buddy cud even wear them to.(might be a little loose)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vantage-Bindings-11-12-2009-NEW-Liquid-Force-/120577458048?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c12f9ff80

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

here are some sovens to that are really good bindings..
http://cgi.ebay.com/Soven-Wakeboard-Bindings-11-12-Liquid-Force-New-/120577462268?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c12fa0ffc

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Dude you are the man!!! I think I'm gonna go with the S4 and then either those Vantages or Sovens you found. Which would you recommend? Does that velcro hold up well when it's wet?... And one last question, the S4 isn't going to be a too advanced board for me to learn on is it? I'm not worried at all about it holding me back in the future, but as of now I can get up and then I just try to stay up. No w2w or anything like that yet. Is this gonna be alright for me being pretty much a beginner?... If you can't tell already, I'm not real educated on the whole wakeboarding thing haha.

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

na man it will be fine.. because i mean say u get a not as good of a board then u get comfortable on it this summer and then u want to upgrade u might as well start on a good board and just stick with it.. it will be fine, ul like it alot.. i honestly wud go with the sovens the s4 is pro rider phillip sovens pro model wakeboard and the bindings are sovens which are his pro model bindings.. there both well made. i just like the sovens because there closed toe and i think they will fit u better and u can get them a little tighter than what u wud the vantages.. but i mean its ur call..

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

didnt want to show u these because they are pretty expensive but there bad! haha
http://cgi.ebay.com/SOVEN-CT-FLY-LTD-Liquid-Force-Wakeboard-Bindings-/370383925387?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item563c9a308b

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Cool bro... Man I can't thank you enough for all your help. I've learned so much just from this thread. I'll try to get some pics of my setup posted when it comes in. Thanks again bridges. You're the man!

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

no problem man, glad i cud help..so what u going to go with?

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Man I hadn't decided yet. I think I'm going with the S4 for sure but I can't make up my mind on the bindings. I know looks shouldn't play much of a role in the decision but I'm not sure how the Sovens will look on the S4, though I like the idea of the CT. On the other hand I like the Vantages pretty good too. My only issue with them is I have a very narrow foot and I wasn't sure how tight I would be able to get it with the velcro ( I like em tight.) Honestly, I don't think I can really go wrong either way.

bridges · Addict Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 683 City: Decatur, TX

hey sent u a pm with my number.. u can tx me.. if you like them tight and have a narrow foot then no vantages for u lol

Maddog10 · Criminal Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 52

Finally settled on a setup. I ordered the 09 LF S4 LTD 138cm with 09 Soven CT bindings size 11-12. Got the whole package shipped to my door for $406 (S4 was $236 and Sovens were $170) which I thought seemed like a pretty sweet deal. Can't wait to check it out. I'll post pics when it all arrives.

http://www.evogear.com/outlet/wakeboards/liquid-force-s4-ltd-wakeboard-2009.aspx

http://www.boardstop.com/product_info.php?products_id=3675

Wanna give a special thanks to bridges for all his help. He gave me a lot of good info and also found both those deals for me.