Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

[Sea Ray]

I am new to wakeboarding and want to get a good rope and handle.

My kids do most of the riding so something with a smaller handle might be nice but not necessary because my oldest boy's hands are about as big as mine.

I searched the forum just enough to get confused....

I see there are all different kinds of handles ("T", "V", straight, carbon fiber, etc). I am not sure what the differences are but it seems like the "T" handles are the most popular??

I have learned that I want a non-stretch rope and probably something in sections so I can change the length (because I have no idea what will work best).

My kids are into skateboarding have really taken to this so I want to get something nice without costing an arm and a leg. I think they will be pretty aggressive and need something to help with tricks before too long.

Any way if someone can give me the breakdown on what the differences are and what I should look for would be great. And if you can add a place to find it would even be better. I considered just going to Scheels but thought I could find something better on-line??

Thanks

 

[tommays]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

The new ones are cable now BUT if there just learning it will be a while before it is that big of and issue a Specta line is in the 70 dollar range

 

[hotwls13]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

I too would like to know what a decent inexpensive wakeboard rope would be. There are a bunch of them at my local Sports Authority and Sports Chalet, but which one? I'm thinking rope, sectional.

 

[texomatom]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

The T handle is for wrapped 180's and 360's and such. You wrap the handle around your waist whule holding onto the T. This allows you to spin without having to transfer the handle to your other hand. If your riding hasn't progressed to spins yet, you won't miss it.
You are right about the low/non stretch rope. A ski rope will stretch when youre on edge and when it recoils it will pull you over into a faceplant - trust me it's not pretty and it hurts lol
The spectra lines will be fine for you and your kids. You can probably get by with a standard low stretch line. You do want to be able to modify the length(segments). This will allow you to ride in the best spot in your wake.
HTH
Tom

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

I would think $50 or so should get you a good wakeboard rope. I wouldn't worry about the t-handle. Not only is it for advanced use only, but wrapped tricks seem to be getting less and less popular as most advanced riders just learn to pass the handle.

There's a good basic 3 section, low stretch line w/15" handle on overton's for $40, and a proline for $50.

 

[augie]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

A ski rope will stretch when youre on edge and when it recoils it will pull you over into a faceplant - trust me it's not pretty and it hurts lol
HTH
Tom

Crap!!! I am renting a ski boat tomorrow and all next weekend and they are providing the ski jackets and ski rope. (I just bought a wakeboard today, no money for a rope) I bet the rental places will probably give me a crappy ski rope. As a beginner I was just planning on practicing riding regular and switch and transitioning between them, maybe start trying tiny jumps off the wake. Am i screwed?

-sorry to steer off topic Thread starter.

 

[Liquid_force]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

Crap!!! I am renting a ski boat tomorrow and all next weekend and they are providing the ski jackets and ski rope. (I just bought a wakeboard today, no money for a rope) I bet the rental places will probably give me a crappy ski rope. As a beginner I was just planning on practicing riding regular and switch and transitioning between them, maybe start trying tiny jumps off the wake. Am i screwed?

-sorry to steer off topic Thread starter.

Unless you're REALLY cutting hard at the wake (which you don't need to do to get good pop anyway) you're not going to notice the stretch. I doubt it will be an issue.

 

[augie]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

Unless you're REALLY cutting hard at the wake (which you don't need to do to get good pop anyway) you're not going to notice the stretch. I doubt it will be an issue.

yep, didn't notice rope at all. there was enough other stuff going on to focus on, lol..

 

[V8 Killer]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

For a rope get a non-stretch sectional as you already identified. I would recommend a coated rope as it won't give you rope burn near as quick/bad should the rope get pulled fast through your hands, behind your neck, etc.

For a handle, you can't wear gloves on any wakeboard handle as it tears up the handle in a matter of hours of use. So you want as soft of a handle as possible. Having used several handles, I strongly recommend the Straight Line brand A.R.i. Corporate Black handle HERE.

This is the softest handle I have felt by a long shot. Avoid "cool" look handles that have depth/patterns to them, i.e. aren't just a smooth pad. Tears into the hand a lot quicker than a smooth pad.

Best of luck,

Dusty

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

I know this is an old topic, however I just picked up a Ronix North handle at the local prop shop a couple weeks ago. It's made a HUGE difference in the abilities of myself and the people I ride with. It's a nice large handle with an unusually large diameter grip. THe grip is also a faux leather material that is sewn over some foam of some sort. I can ride for hours without gloves and not have my hands hurt. The ladies that were having the handle yanked from thier hands while learning to ski have no been able to hold onto this handle as well.

Easilly worth the $60 I spent on it!

Now onto a quick question.......Anyone know a good way to shield a rope from contact with the ladder on the swim platform? As the drive swings back around to get me the rope tends to get stuck under the ladder, then as I pull to straighten it out before coming up, it get roughed up a bit. Broken two ropes this way, and my vinyl tubing solution isn't working so great. Any thoughts?!?!

 

[Floww --]

Re: Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

+e only solution i can think of would be, get a tower. It'll lift the rope out of the water more. other than that, i have no idea