Just got straightline 85' red velvet wakeboard rope. How should I adjust my ride?

[scooper77515]

Been using cheap stretchy ski line and finally wore through the handle, so figured I would buy something that would hold up better and be non-stretch.

I am fairly new at wakeboarding, so is there anything I should adjust to make this rope work optimally?

Currently running old stretchy rope at approximately 65'. This 85 is 68' without handle, then 7', 5', and 3' removable sections. Handle adds approximately 2'.

Are there any adjustments I should make to the mounting of the rope, or to the way I approach the wake, etc?

 

[bowler]

Re: Just got straightline 85' red velvet wakeboard rope. How should I adjust my ride?

Good move - non stretch makes a difference. Like any rope it depends on the wake. It needs to be as long as necessary to put you at the optimum point on the wake. Cruise at boarding speed and feed it out at the stern. Then tie it at the best length ensuring you allow for the tower being further up the boat (if that makes sense).

It all depends on the wake, not the rope.

D.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Just got straightline 85' red velvet wakeboard rope. How should I adjust my ride?

Thanks! I am glad someone finally responded.

I am thinking of adding some ballast (sand bags) to the boat. I have very little wake for as big a boat as I have. Previous owner had 6 bags at 50 lbs each...2 in ski locker, and 2 on each side of engine.

I told him to take them out, since I wasn't into wake boarding much then, but now I am wondering if I need to replace them.

This rope...I hope it makes a difference. I paid right at $100 for it including shipping. If nothing else, the handle won't wear out after 10 uses.

 

[bowler]

Re: Just got straightline 85' red velvet wakeboard rope. How should I adjust my ride?

No probs, my first post in a while!

Ballast could help but will have an effect on how many people you can carry without going over your maximum weight. Biggest help will be good progressive edge and the rope will help with that. I'm no pro but have been at it a few years. My boat is small, wake is ok and I use a bit of ballast in the bow but what i do know is that its all about good technique. Wake to wakes should be no problem even with the smallest of wakes and a good rope at the correct length.

Enjoy!

D.

 

[tgell001]

Re: Just got straightline 85' red velvet wakeboard rope. How should I adjust my ride?

I'd get ballast bags and a cheap cigarette lighter powered pump, picked my whole set up for like 250 bucks and I added 700lbs. Water is good because you can fill it and drain it at will and not really have to carry the extra weight around all day even when youre not wakeboarding. When I'm towing someone, w/ people I'd bet money I was 1000lbs over my maximum weight limit and never took a wave over the bow once. I know thats not the responsible thing to do but I'd bet the factor of safety that goes into that weight limit is like 4/1.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Just got straightline 85' red velvet wakeboard rope. How should I adjust my ride?

Water ballast is safer than sand, or steel or lead. With the new rope you probably want to take all sections off to start, if you can. You may want ballast in the front to keep the wake clean all the way back.
The non stretch rope will give you more kick because you can load it better. Make sure you hold your edge all the way up the wake because you will notice how hard the extra pull is Enjoy. The rope makes a bigger difference that most other things.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Just got straightline 85' red velvet wakeboard rope. How should I adjust my ride?

Cool!!! Can't wait to try it out. Water is up to 66 this week, but wind is killing it. Hoping to give it a try early this weekend.

I have several sections to take out, which will make it just about as long as the previous rope I cut to get me at the wake's sweet spot. I am pretty sure I will end up leaving it there, approx 65'. But, I have several sections to add on and experiment with.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Just got straightline 85' red velvet wakeboard rope. How should I adjust my ride?

Finally got a chance to use the rope today. Definitely felt different. Water was quite chopped up from the wind, so I didn't ride long or do much. Just fought to stay up and land a couple of small airs.

It was scary at first. I didn't think that thin rope was going to be strong enough to pull me up!