Board Q's

[briguy2817]

I'm new to this wake boarding stuff so I have been looking over past post here for info. I think this year I am going to either get a knee board or wake board. I know my daughter would love to do it with me as well. Now for the questions.

First, does it matter where you mount the pull rope? Can I use the transome mounts that I use for sking or does the rope have to be mounted up off a tower, what's the advantage to using a tower mount?

Second, besides getting the boards off the bottom of the boat, is there any other advantage to getting a tower?

And third, do I need to add weight to the boat for beginner boarding? I don't want to go overboard right away but don't want to limit myself either.


Brian

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: Board Q's

These questions seem simple enough...
First of all, good thing in asking, don't want to spend any extra money than you have to.
1) You can pull from a transom mount. This is where I ride from on my personal boat since I haven't really wanted to invest the time and money into a tower yet (Actually trying to buy a house, so every penny counts).
2) Now, The primary advantage of a tower is that the pull point is higher up. So, it is less strain on your lower back when riding, and it allows for lift when you try to jump a wake. A standard transom mount will pull you down constantly and greatly decrease the amount of pop you get out of a wake jump. (This can actually help a beginner rider since they will not be thrust to high in the high in the air if they accidentally cross the wakes to hard.)
3) No, weight should not be used when training a new rider. Even on full scale wakeboard boats, they generally empty all of the ballast when a new person gets into the water. You will most likely not need any weight even when first learning wake jumps. Only once you feel like the wake is truly limiting you should you need to start adding more weight to the boat.
I know you have not listed you boat type here either. I would not recommend overweighting any boat that is not designed for it. I have read to many horror stories of people overweighting there boat and almost sinking the thing when it is under load.

 

[kyle f]

Re: Board Q's

Been at this for a while now and just recently upgraded to a Watersports boat with a tower. Basically everythign he said is right on the dot. A beginner rider needs to learn how to get up, proper stance, and board control. Then progress to a few basic surface tricks and edging. Once a rider is able to travel accross the wakes, change stance, and pop off the wake some is when a Tower and a boat weighted down to give a more rampy wake is needed.

 

[briguy2817]

Re: Board Q's

Thanks for the info. guys. I guess I forgot to add the boat info in there. It's a 19' Bayliner Capri with a 125 Force. I'm going to look around and see if I can find a wake board to get started on. My daughter really wants to try it but has never skied before.

Brian

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: Board Q's

Regardless if you have skied or not, wakeboarding is whole different ball game. Honestly, if you have skied, it will probably throw you off a little more. But, yeah, your boat should do fine for pulling and all of the basics.
Let us know how you do, and look around for a good beginner board. Ones for your daughter should be easy to find and much cheaper too.

 

[kyle f]

Re: Board Q's

Skiing and wakeboarding have a boat, water, and a rope in common. The comonalities end there, infact the same rope shouldn't be used.

 

[briguy2817]

Re: Board Q's

We'll be looking around this weekend for something for her. I've been looking at used stuff but haven't found anything yet. I figure I have another month or so before the rivers warm up enough for her to get in the drink anyway.

I'll let you guy know how it all plays out. Again, thanks.

Brian

 

[kyle f]

Re: Board Q's

Cheap and wakeboard boat are not in teh same sentence. They have a lot more on them than normal boats which starts them out more expensive (Bigger Engines, V-Drive Tansmissions, ballast systems, upgraded stereos, towers... etc) and wakeboarding being a popular watersport now, means there is a demand.

Seriously, even if she gets really good quickly, you can make 1 season on what you have.

 

[briguy2817]

Re: Board Q's

Cheap and wakeboard boat are not in teh same sentence You have that right, I was looking at this wakeboarding boat at the dealer about three weeks ago and about had a heart attack when I asked for the price, $65,000, I told my kids to get off real fast!

If she does get good, you bet I'll be looking for a good used one before dropping 65 grand on a boat! Man, that's more than half the price of my house that I bought 7 years ago.

Brian

 

[kyle f]

Re: Board Q's

There are better deals than that. Especially here in my area. Withign about 5 miles of each othere there are dealers for MB, Mastercraft, Malibu, Supra, Moomba, Nautigue, and Tige'. I got my 23' for less than 60K.

If you are serious, PM me what size you are looking for. I got friends that sell MBs and Supra/Moomba. They can hook you up on a much better deal. Plus, trade ins aren;t so scary for them right now as the Knoxville TN area is a boating hot spot and used boats ar emoving liek crazy right now.

 

[briguy2817]

Re: Board Q's

I just bought my Bayliner last September and have only taken it out about 7 times before I had to garage it. This boat I purchased has got to be the nicest 1987 out on the water today. The only problem I had with it was the trim motor would bleed down. After rebuilding it, that problem is fixed.

I was talking to my wife last night and she said if we really enjoy boating/wakeboarding/sking/tubing, we'll sell the Bayliner and camper and get a bigger and better boat. No problems with me on that one!

I will keep you in mind if we decide to upgrade in the next year.

Brian