Looking for a forgiving wakeboard!

51 goes right through Clinton...there is a post in the reunion section...all the info is there!
Most will camp....we have a great time!Try 5 0r 6 boards!

There won't be any beer drinking for anyone under the age of 13 or declared severely mentaly unbalanced! Severely is the key word there!

David...your too close not to make a trip to clinton...weekend of the 14th there are several groups from the site meeting there.

I have several setups that you could try out! I am narrowing down to two setups...maybe something I have would work for you...come down and demo several.

my boards are 141-142 size range. bindings are 11.

Have you had a look on wakeworld.com? They have a review section with just about every board in it. The first bit is the manuf's blurb, but there is a rider review section as well - could be useful to you.

I had a ronix one for a while and faceplanted for Engalnd whenever i rode it! A lot of it is preference, I now have a LF PS3 which I really like, it combines the right amount of bite with being easy to break free. It doesn't catch edges very often.

I always take the centre fins off my boards. I find it forces you edge properly, make surface spins easier and makes dodgy landings easier to ride away from.

As others say, ride every board you can until you find one you like. I don't believe a lot of the things about beginer advanced boards etc. It's about technique - I have an ancient hyperlite el-nino on my boat for big foot noobs and i think it's apalling, a guy I know is very skilled and he got on it and could still do rolls and raleys.

Finally, a hyperlite roam is more or less guaranteed to put a smile on anyones face! Dirt cheap in the states too.

Gary....Thanks for the board suggestions. I would agree with yours, and others, comments about the bindings. I had my boys and their friends out yesterday doing some wakeboarding.

They liked the Hyperlite State vs. the Ronix One, but, man, they were complaining about the bindings more than the boards. Uncomfortable, too tight, too loose, hard to lace..........etc, etc.

Good bindings have moved up on the list.

By the way, I see you are from Decatur, IL. Where do you boat down there? Is that near Springfield? I have seen the large lake down there just off I-55.

We demo'd the Ronix One today. It was alright, but even though I am a beginner, I couldn't get it to break loose to do a surface 180/switch. I think I am going to pass on it.

We also had my nephews Hyperlite State 140 in the boat, and tried it. It worked great. My 19 year old son was doing wake to wake jumps with it and landing them nicely.

We pulled into a restaurant on the river, and I bumped into a guy that owns the local wakeboard school. We talked for a little while about different wakeboards. He summed it up nicely. He said if he was forced to put just one board on his boat that would work for most people, he would go with the Ronix Vault. The Vault has an asymetrical botton edge design to compensate for heel side, and toe side strengths and weaknesses.   

From what I have found in my research is that the Ronix Vault and Hyperlite State are virtually identical. They both have the asymetrical cut to them. So, so far, the Hyperlite State is on our list, and maybe the Ronix Vault. Still need to try a few more.

86BFN wrote: I can think of a wakeboard I'll never forgive! LOL

A friend of mine has an old board(pointed end); it's nickname is faceplant.

lewy2001 wrote: davidg wrote: Have you guys ever heard of this board. This is what what boardersbestbuy recommended for me. At $119, the price is right. I would like to hear any feedback on this board if anyone has any experience with it. J-Star Conformity 141 I have never heard of J-Star before. Is it a reputable company? You may have to cut/paste the link into your browser. I cannot figure out how to get the link added to this post. http://boardersmall.com/xcart/product.php?productid=21059&cat=928&page=1 We own a 2006 JStar Conformity they are a great board. They are infact the Pro model Lyman from the previous year with the new style bottom coating and Graphics. I am 6'3" and 190lbs. We have a couple of other boards but i still prefer the Conformity over the more current model CWB's and LF boards I have tried.

Mark.....You seem happy with the JStar Conformity. I see a lot of good comments in reviews for it too. What is the background on JStar? Are they part of a larger wakeboard company, or made overseas? I never see them around the Chicago area. Not that thats bad, just curious. All the shops carry Hyperlite, Ronix, or Liquid Force for the most part around here.

SNobsessed wrote: Faze/transcend

To clarify, it's the 07 Faze/OLD transcend shape. Not sure if they have changed it since. I would recommend it as a beginner board- small molded in fins but comes with big ol' plastic center fins (we're talking like 2 inches here). Take the center fins out and it is very comfortable for an intermediate rider.

I found a good deal on a Ronix One (142)at a local proshop. We are going to demo it tomorrow. Has anybody ever ridden this board? Thoughts? It seems to get good reviews based on some internet searches I have done. I would also like to demo the LF Trip as well before I buy.

Thanks!

Dave

David I gotta agree with TRIP on this one. I'm a LF guy too and love the trip.
I'm 42, 5'10" and 180 pds so I think the lentgh is about right for you. I will say that you may regret NOT buying a higher end board from the start. My first board was a beginner and I wished that I bought a higher end board after about a year of riding. The edges were rounded ( Yes! more forgiving) and the board was flat( less rocker). The turns were so slow and the landings were hard.

Buying a higher end board means softer landings (more rocker) and the edges are sharp so when you cut; you cut right away. Matt is right in that your riding will improve with a better board. You get what you pay for when it comes to most things and Wakeboarding is one of them.

Yeah you may take a few hard falls but remember......................

"Your body is comprised mostly of of water, it won't hurt!"
              
                     or

" Pain goes away..............Chicks dig scars!"

call the guys @ wakeside.com they are super knowledgeable and know what works and doesn't.

I'm a slightly more advanced rider than you as I've just gotten comfortable jumping across the wakes and don't always land them.

I used to ride the CWB Faction, but purchased the CWB Transcend at the beginning of this year and feel that it's improved my riding a lot. It's lighter, has adjustable fins, and has a nice pop. I'm really happy with it.

If you go to www.boardersbestbuy.com, there is a place on there where you can "Request a Deal". I did that and was able to get last years board for under $200. I ride a 138 and weigh 180lbs, so you'd definitely need the 144.

Just my 2 cents...

I'd recommend getting a new Liquid Force Trip. New because of warranty, and they're not expensive anyway. One of the best all around boards, IMO.