Newb questions

[carcraze]

Hi all

I have picked up a boat for the up coming season and woudl not mind trying some wake boarding. I plan on looking for a used cheap start board for a range of familly members.

The range is from a 13 yr old girl small and light, girlfriend short and light, boy 160 lbs and myself over 6 foot at 185 ish, is there a board size that can work for all and from my reading I would need open toe adjustable bindings?

Next question.
It has been a while since I have owned a boat, they wanted a decent size boat with a cabin but wanted water sports as well, I am a performance guy myself from my past boats, so I tried to compromise with a cuddy cabin 27' with a coupe of 350 mags

I water skiied most of my youth and into my adult life mind you I am old now LOL, I don't doubt it will pull a skier at a nice planed speed but in my reading I am confused with wakeboarding speed. It seems around 15 to 25 but is this on plane or before plane to produce a larger wake?

Thanks
Mat

 

[salty87]

Re: Newb questions

there really isn't a board or bindings that will work for all of you very well. the best you'll get is that it will be too big for the little people and bindings too small for you. it will prob fit your son pretty good. you might consider looking on craigslist and getting a smaller board and a bigger board. the smaller kids will most likely not enjoy riding a big board too much unless they are really gung-ho. most of the girls that i have ridden with are a little on the picky side because big boards/bindings are hard to control and the end result can be a painful 'smack' when they hit the water.

get a proper non-stretch rope. the occupants of your boat may thank you...stretch rope can whip back into the boat when the rider loses grip during a fall.

speed will be closer to 17-20 when learning. depends on the rider's comfort. establish hand signals with riders so that they can communicate with the driver....faster/slower. you'll hopefully be on plane but not always with learners. once you get the hang of it, stay on plane to jump the wake(s).

very important...don't do huge donuts when returning to a fallen wakeboarder. it messes up the water for everyone around in a very big area...esp with a 27'. i guess you're prob not hot rodding it though, eh? nice and slow, below wake speed will do the job. this also allows you to stay close to the boarder to be a blocker of other traffic (provided you were paying proper attention when they fell). if you make a huge donut, you leave the boarder floating alone. cut the throttle when the rider falls and you should drop off plane within 100' (the paying attention to the rider part), turn back to the rider (u turn, no throttle) with your momentum and idle back or faster if traffic forces you.

have fun

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Newb questions

When first starting out plan on staying more around 15-17 mph. 25 for a beginner is a nasty faceplant waiting to happen which takes all the wind out of your sails and makes you really not want to try it any more. I agree with a low end board to start make sure it has good deep fins to start it will help with tracking and stability. As you skills improve you can get more hi tech with the board. Keep an eye out at garage sales local classifieds etc. I grew up behind a 27' with twins no wakeboarding back then but lots of skiing it taught me how to deal with large wakes etc and made me a better skiier for it. I think for that boat to plane you will need to be going faster than your target speed 15-17 but thats okay to just mush along, although it will be harder for you as the captian to see over the bow. Out boat only had twin 6 cyls. And we could pull 4 skiers out of the water no prob. Look into a cheapie kneeboard as well they are great for learning how to use edges to turn and get used to moving across the water at about the same speed as a wakeboard, good luck have fun post back with any questions or let everyone know how it goes.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Newb questions

Well driving should nto be too big of a problem as I have driven for skiiers for many many years mostly as of late with my single 25' I had some years back. A spotter is a must here, not legal without one when skiing. I remember falling quite often skiing and never really had too much of a hurt fall except the face plants while learning to bare foot. The boat is pretty small for a 27' relatively speaking, possibly with the tabs all the way down I can get her to lumber along on plane at 17ish, I guess time will tell, will need a booster seat to see over the bow if I can't. It will be a while before the seanson is here in the great white north.

I am seeing that wakeboarding must put you in the water much quicker and harder than skiing?

Can you guys recomend 2 board sizes than one for the girls and one for the guys with adjustable bindings, I will ebay them hopefully, maybe some brands or a starting model to search for?
Maybe a 140 from my reading for the boy and myself?

Do these boards have front and back fins on them and is the normal ski rope okay 75' is what I remember?

Hopefully not too many dumb questions, no wakeboarding or kneeboarding when I was skiing many moons ago.

Mat

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Newb questions

If you google wakeboard sizes there are a number of charts that will break down weight/board size quite well. Yes there are fins on front and back but some of the newer boards have the fins molded into the bottom of the board. A standard rope will work but alot cut the length down a bit as the speed makes it easy to get a slack rope when turning and a shorter rope will help with that, also you can get the sweet spot of the wake by adjusting the rope a bit. I still ski competitions when possible(40yrs old) at 35 mph 15 off. I have never hurt myself on a ski nearly as bad as on a wakeboard at 18 mph. Once the edge grabs it throws you right onto your face like barefooting so you know all about that. I have purchased two boards off of ebay and got GREAT deals on them just watch some of the pro shops they blow out old stuff cheap( I don't care if its a year old). The hardest part about pulling with an I/O is it keeps wanting to come onto plane at which point you are going too fast so its constant adjustments of the throttle. Have your boarders stay in a ball with knees touching inside of elbows,arms extended and board edge about 1" out of water, when they give the go you don't need to drop the hammer like skiing just a good steady throttle up, then back down to where they feel good. the pulling action will turn the board straight on its own don't fight it just let it come around keep knees bent low center of gravity through all of this then stand up into a nice athletic stance, with arms at waist. From there its all about your balance and getting the hang of it.

 

[bowler]

Re: Newb questions

Hi,

Here are some recomendations for beginner boards for man, woman and child to get you started:

http://waterski.about.com/od/wakeboarding/tp/beginnerboards.htm

Best of luck,

D.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Newb questions

Okay guys need some more info if you can.

Found a couple boards but can not seem to get info on them through a search. Looking for if they are in the weight range for the guys 150 to 180 ish lbs I suppose and if a beginner can deal with the board type.

O'Brien Cobe 137

Hyperlite movement 140

I figure the movement might be the better choice but pretty dumb at this so far.

Mat

 

[bowler]

Re: Newb questions

They are both ok as far as length goes but i'd go for the bigger one as it'll be easier to ride but a bit slower. 137 might be a bit small for someone who weighs 180 but ok for 150. Once you improve you can always change down if need be. The last thing you want is to be too heavy on a board that is too small and catching water. Also, the hyperlite has a continuous rocker which will also make it easier to ride. Just my opinion!

Good luck!

D.

 

[carcraze]

Re: Newb questions

Thanks for the information.