kneeboards

[lucky7]

what is the biggest kneeboard i can get? somthing to make it easy for a firstimer larger person?

 

[Tabes117]

Re: kneeboards

I believe kneeboards are pretty similar in size. I purchased a cheap one 10 years ago and a nice one last year. You can get beginner knee boards with a retractable hook/latch on the front to hold the rope handle, when starting out. Some even have retractable fins on the bottom rear to assist in steering. Bart's.com out of Indiana has a nice selection and great customer service.

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: kneeboards

I think Tabes has a pretty good handle on the answer. Most kneeboards (from what I have seen and ridden) are all pretty close to the same length. Width and shape comes into play though, and essentially, the wider the better. And for most beginner boards, I have seen a more rounded nose.
I am currently riding still riding the HO Joker, it has a very flat nose, and take alot of effort to get it to cut through the water.

Also, like he said, some boards have the hooks on them. Excellent for learning, I got my cousin up on his first try with one. Just put the handle inside of the hook, so the "newb" can use both hands to stabilze and get up.
Here is a image of an O'brien version with the "Aquatic Hook".

Another cool feature I have seen on some boards are retractable fins. They help keep the board going straight. They actually make it kind of difficult to turn it, but help a lot of first timers.

When it comes down to it though, it all depends on what you are willing to spend, and how quickly you think your friend is going to learn and take the sport. I would suggest looking online for a used board. I got goods deal on two of them. My original HO Joker board, I paid $100 at the time and it was less than a few months old. I found mine second one (Only been ridden once) for $200 less than retail price.
My wife tried out my original HO Joker board (the 2004 model) and she got up no problem within less than an hour. She was able to ride in and out of the wakes pretty well by the end of the day.

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: kneeboards

Boards sizes are somewhat irrelevant, as they are similar. The important thing, is keep Your balance. If you pull the rope to you with one hand, then lift the "opposing" leg onto the board simultaneously. Much like climbing a ladder.
If You read this, or anyone does, mail me, I just started last summer, but I have spent(no joke) over 300+ hours researching "how to's" on the web, and spent over 80 hours on the lake last year working on the tips.
I can do a 360(either direction), clear the wake and 180 at the same time(landing backwards, believe it or not, it's easier) and land on my head when trying a flip!
The key is having a patient driver. . ..truly. You will wreck, and have to have the boat circle back MANY times. Patience Danielsan. ..(Mr Miyagi)
And keep at it.
Good Luck.
With the start of the Spring, I would like to start a sport forum here at iboats. there is not one for kneeboarding, almost a forgotten sport. ?
Jim

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: kneeboards

Good MM, nice to hear you excelling so quickly. I still have yet to even attempt a flip. And, you are right about the 180 vs 360. I remember when I landed my first Wake to Wake 360. Last summer, it was crazy. I was actually going for a 180 and and overshot on the launch.

What has been your hardest bail so far?

 

[Tabes117]

Re: kneeboards

With the start of the Spring, I would like to start a sport forum here at iboats. there is not one for kneeboarding, almost a forgotten sport. ?
Jim

+1
I still love kneeboarding, even though my buddys give me a lot of sh.t. My 8 year old wants to dual kneeboard with me this summer. I do have a confession....... I just ordered him a wakeboard off ebay, 2 days ago.

Hey FLWR, my dads got a little house just North of Tarpon Springs. He just told me the beach by him is already crowded on the weekends. I dont know what he likes more, the warm Florida weather or spending time away from my mom. LOL After 50 years of marriage I guess I cant blame him.

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: kneeboards

Yeah, me and wife spent Valentines day over in Saint Petersburg.
Water was still FREEZING.

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: kneeboards

Hardest Bail,. . .
The driver( my Dad) decided to give it full throttle(top speed around 48 mph) , so I hung on, thinking I could get some serious air by going outside, and then crossing back. When I went outside, he cut it the opposite direction, sending me FAR outside, then straightened back up, while I'm gaining velocity. I hit a "cross wkae" from our boat, and anothers, and launched around 8-12' in the air, Totally unexpected. I lost grip on the rope, and hit the water(over the wake) face first, and the board bent my back in half.
Ouch. . .
He doesn't understand the concept of 25 mph, and a big wake for kneeboarding, he wants to go fast.(ricky Bobby syndrome-Talladega Nights)
Lol,
What's Yours?

 

[mcgonegalm]

Re: kneeboards

I bought a boat myself 2 years ago and started kneeboarding last summer. I also ride the Joker and really like the board. I've been able to jump wake to wake and do 360's on the water but haven't tried any in air tricks yet. Late last summer I was jumping wake to wake and the nose of the board caught the water and bent my back in half. That was the most pain I had felt in awhile. I didn't board much the rest of the summer but I'm anxious to get out there again. No pain no gain right?
Anyone been able to do a flip? Any tips?

 

[sickwilly]

Re: kneeboards

I did em in the past. Since getting back into boating, and now being 40, I get darn near but am yet to ride one out. However, I might be doing a little more of a barrel roll (I can't see myself).

Any tips: lets, see, start on your strongest side, get a good cut to the wake, as you hit the wake throw your weight back, once airborne pull your knees back to your chest while you let the back hand come off the handle, but keep the handle close in during the rotation, and then don't let go until you are sure you did not land it (my current problem is I let go when I hit the water).

Be sure you rope is at a good length behind the boat so that you are comfortably landing just on the other side of the wake.

Then again, like I said, I have not landed one since getting back into boating a summer and a half ago.

I am on an old and heavy hydroslide pro, though. They say that Joke will fly!

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: kneeboards

Go to youtube, you may be surprised at the info available there under "how to..."

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: kneeboards

Yeah, the joker boards are incredibly thin and incredibly light. I was extremely amazed in the ride difference between my old one to my Jokers. I have yet to try a flip, just kind of scared to honestly.

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: kneeboards

Has anyone found a good online site to order used kneeboards, or wakeboards? I am riding a dinosaur(Fred Flintstone Style) also, and could use an update.

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: kneeboards

Hoenstly, I found both of my Joker boards off of Craiglist.
How much are you looking to spend on a new one? I can try to look around.

 

[Tabes117]

Re: kneeboards

I just bought my son son brand new 2006 Liquid Force transit wakeboard bindings from http://www.closeoutdude.com/category/06_gear/
I bought them off his ebay auction for $27 delivered!! The current same model was going for $299.

Plus I bought him a new Free Motion blank off ebay auction for $66 cheapest I found it was $159.

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: kneeboards

Here is site I just randomly fell across today...

http://www.ridewatersports.com/kneeboards1.html

Seems to have a decent prices.

 

[cadunkle]

Re: kneeboards

Some thoughts on getting a heavy person up... I usually board behind my grandparents 18' with 110 HP 4 banger I/O. It gets me up fine on kneeboard or two skis, though struggles a bit on the holeshot and 1 ski is difficult, though I'm not that great at slalom.

This is on an old Hydroslide Pro (all I've ever used) and I weigh ~185. Tried getting my almost ~285 lb buddy up and the boat wouldn't do it either on skis or the board, even on a dock start. Well, I'm sure my buddy could have got up if he was experienced, but he was just trying to learn. He came real close on the kneeboard when dock starting but as soon as he hit the water every time the boat would almost stop. I'm sure he'd be up no problem with an appropriate boat. It's just difficult to learn when you have to worry about yourself doing the right thing to get up as well as working with the boat to help it pull you up. This summer we'll try again with a 21' 260HP.

Thanks for the links too. I'm looking to pick up a newer style kneeboard, and maybe get a wakeboard since I've enver tried that.

 

[FLWakeRider]

Re: kneeboards

Yea, I got the 4 banger rocking the Bowrider.
We havent had any trouble yet, but I am sure anything over me would be a little tough weight wise.

 

[mountainmariner]

Re: kneeboards

A 4 cyl. motor will pull anyone You want, if tuned properly. I have a 140 alpha i/o, and last summer we struggled through pulling skiers, and kneeboards. Our prop was "slightly" damaged we thought, but I found one at a garage sale for $10, 15x19, and it has plenty of pickup. You may consider a 15x17, this will give You more low end, but less top end.
There are many excellent threads on prop selection here, but honestly, You will be amazed at the difference a "nice", lower geared(aluminum on craigslist) prop will make.
Always, Always have a spare though!