I need help choosing and finding a wakeboard.

[scooper77515]

I am a first timer, but have been surfing, snowboarding, and waterskiing all my life.

I have been using a strap-on system on my old 6'-6" Rusty thruster surfboard for the past few months, and really enjoying it, but the bindings are difficult to get into when floating, and it is really fragile and difficult to transport.

I am looking at an inexpensive, but decent entry-level to moderate-level board since I tend to catch on to watersports pretty quickly.

How do I choose? And where should I shop?

I am 195 lbs and 6' tall. Size 11 shoe.

I would like to find something my wife could eventually try out and use as well, being (I am guessing, and I hope she doesn't read this or I might get into trouble) 180 lbs? and 5'-8" with size 9 womens, which I think rounds out to about 7 or 8 mens shoe.

She will likely not use it much, so the board really needs to fit me, but be useable periodically by her without any jumping or anything, just skiing back and forth.

I would like to keep price in the 200-250 range.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :cheers:

 

[scooper77515]

Nobody can help?

I have been forced to post this question on a car forum, since it seems that the boaters and 'dooers around here don't seem to be able to help...

 

[FloorStreet]

well it sounds like your going to be needing a large pair or maybe XL bindings for yourself. However, I think she may be needing a smaller set because the size that fits you will probably be too loose for her I'm thinking. And as you can imagine you don't want one of your wife's feet popping out while she's riding.

But what you gotta do is look at the various sizing charts for different compaines as they make their products differently. For example, here's O'briens sizing chart: http://www.evogear.com/info/helpcenter/177.aspx which would suggest that you get some XL's

I suggest you get the bindings sized for yourself first and maybe they will fit her. I know wakeboard bindings (if they're open toe) have a pretty wide fitting range (even if it goes against what the chart says).


As far as a board is concerned your gonna want something alittle on the larger side, unfortunately I'm not very experienced in this field yet as I haven't really gotten into wakeboarding quite yet. But depeneding on how you like your ride (loose or controlled, how much pop) your going to need a different set up of rockers/fins and such.

Here's a site that explains it better than I can at the moment: http://waterski.about.com/cs/wakeboardandboot/bb/buy-wakeboard.htm

Here's another site that lets you input your info and puts out boards that should be good matches for you:
http://www.wakeworld.com/wizard/boards.asp

As for where you should buy it heres my experience:
-Local stores suck alot, don't have alot of selection, and are over priced. But this is all probably because I live in LA county and theres not alot of demand for wakeboard products.

-I got my set up (O'brien deck originally worth $350 + Hyperlite Temmet Bindings originally worth $430) for $75 off ebay from some kid living in Beverly Hills who probably used the set-up only a few times. Its an older set up from like 2004 but in great condition and top of the line for the time, which is more than enough tech for me as a beginner.

So I highly recommend ebay for wakeboard stuff as you can get AMAZING deals. I think craigslist or other local trading listings should be good too. However, since its summer maybe you'll have a harder time finding ridiculous deals (I got my stuff in the middle of winter).

But no matter where your about to buy something, deffinitly use this wakeworld site to see what other people have said about the equipment your considering
http://www.wakeworld.com/wizard/boards.asp
click those blue links with the brand names (sorta in the middle) and go to the year/model your looking at
and then for bindings just look to the left under where it says "Equipment and Reviews" and go to bindings.

That site is super helpful for finding a product that you can have confidence in. Deffinitly use it.

 

[timmyboy76]

140cm(+)

Scoop..aint a admin, when comes to this thread, but need atleast a 140cm board. Guy bought my bindings from, told me, being 210, the 140cm board will be fast, however, dont know what that means, but worked killer the other weekend. He said, should be look'n atleast a 142cm, so...goin from that, will probably find another one, but keep one i got.

For both ya using same board, yeah...threw wife on mine (she gave up w/ training skis), and her being a TALL 4'8", she popped right up...

West Marine out here, are dumping there inventory...get'n cool/biginner boards for 50 buks otd.

 

[scooper77515]

I will have to hit West Marine and see what they have.

The board I have been most impressed with on the shelf was 144cm. Good for up to 220 lbs or so.

I won't be able to do much air, since the boat puts out almost no wake, but I would like something to do some serious carving on.

FloorStreet--thanks for all those links. Now I have something to do the rest of the afternoon:hurray:

I just didn't know where to start.

 

[scooper77515]

Well, West Marine had nothing in stock. Tried several specialty stores and found one where the guy visited with me and told me what to look for.

Ended up at an Academy and found pretty much what I was looking for for $199. Board has 4 built in fins on each end, which I am worried about, and a 5th attachable, but the bindings are AWESOME and the wife even felt comfy in them.

It is a CWB Faze 141 with CWB HingeTech bindings.

Anyone know anything about it?

I kept it in the wrapper and have the receipt in case I get a bunch of "It's CRAP!"s then I will take it back and look some more.

 

[rexsteiner]

the only person that should determine its crap is you. it sounds like a decent board for 200 bucks and if your comfortable on it, then its golden. ive used expensive boards and el'cheepo boards and the board i always end up going with is my trusty hyperlite. nothing to special about it, its a 139 and has two fins on the center. i think i have one of them removed to make it easier to go goofy foot. but the bindings have alot of adjustment on them and for me i think thats what makes the big difference.

 

[scooper77515]

Well, for a first board (and a cheap one), it worked pretty nicely for me today. Got up first try, and spent a good deal of time up and hitting the wake. It tracked a little more stable-y than my surfboard did. The surfboard was a bit more squirrelly and not as forgiving.

I did use this thing with the single fin added in the rear, so I may lose that next time to see if I can loosen it up a bit.

Overall, very pleased with this board. Might upgrade later if I get too comfortable with it, but I will definitely keep the bindings. Those things felt like being home in my comfy king-bed.

 

[FloorStreet]

I've heard good things about CWB and almost picked up a very similarly designed board a few months ago off ebay.

I think its a good choice and I'm glad you enjoyed it :hurray:

 

[col84]

Hyperlite is my personal favorite but look around and borrow boards from friends to see what you like and fits you best.I like a board that is smaller than recomended for my size but its personal preference.Here is a cheap place you might want to check out, I've ordered alot of stuff from here and they have really good customer service,also check overton's.Since you've got a board you have a good starting point.Next board you might want a little looser design or a differnt size.


http://www.sportsmansguide.com/search/search.asp?r=MainHeader+KW+Box&a=browse&k=wake+board

 

[scooper77515]

We are new to boating, and have no friends with boats, much less with wakeboards.

But we hang out at the beaches off the lake and river, and meet people every week. I offered to let a guy try my board out last week when he said he had never used one (he ended up drinking a couple too many beers and turned down the offer).

So maybe I will find someone who is as nice as I am and will let me try theirs out.

Thanks for that website...those are some REALLY good prices. And since I now have decent bindings, all I need for the next board is just the board!!!:cheers: