Wakeboard Assistance

[93SkiNautique]

Hey all,

I'm planning on buying a wakeboard but don't know what my best option would be. I'm a fairly new rider. I'd rate myself as an intermediate (ie. clear the wake, 360's, good ground control) and I'm 5'10 165lbs (sounds like a personals add, ha). I've been looking at the '05 Hyperlite Premier 136 Bio2 and the DNA. I've been told they would be a good suit for me. Anyone know what the difference between the two are and whether or not they would be a good for me?

PS. I want to be able to progress well with the board I get.

I'm also looking for bindings but I'm shooting for a board first....my boat season (Vancouver, BC) doesn't start until mid-April so I'm in no rush.

Thanks for the help,

Ciao

[ryanandrews]

im 5-11 and weigh about 183-188 depending on the day, and i ride a hyperlite motive 144. the bindings are the 04 hyperlite splits...i consider myself an intermediate. i can perform the same tricks as you + or - a few..i board behind my 94 sn with only 3-6 people9no extra weight) and it works great for me! imo the bigger board is more stable, and forgiving, just takes a lil more muscle PDT_001

[Rhode]

93,

I think you got some good advice to ride Danny Harf's Premier 136. That's the mid size offering of this model, which fits you well. It's also the board that I've riden a number of years and have tried out most of HL's boards over the years. For reference, I'm a little shorter than you, but a little heavier. Go check out HL's website and read up about the Premier and how it's somewhere between a mellow, continuous rocker board and one with a severe, three stage rocker. The differnce between Bio and DNA is that the latter has a wood core, is a bit lighter and is way more expensive. The Bio will get the job more than done. Note that Danny has a new shape for '06 and it has jib rails and ABS sidewalls. Since this board has kept getting better over the past three shapes since its inception, the '06 is well worth checking out. '04s and '05s of this board (m/r shape) should be going cheap on line. Now that I think about it, PM me if you want a good deal on my '05 Bio.

Rhode

[Rhode]

I should have also noted that HL is running this with a new L7 core for its pro models (lighter foam than DNA); no more DNA for the pro models and no more DNA anything.

Rhode

[speck]

sorry to disagree, but 136 sounds small for a 165 lbs rider. i ride shanes subject (liquid) board at 137 and i'm 5'8 150, i gotta think you should be around 140's no matter what you do.
i see that liquids stuff is a cut above the others lately. i love my transit bindings and that subject board. when we have people out on the boat and they use my board (those that have ridden others), they remark that the bindings are like standing on pillows. the upper level stuff is that much better. when i go to shows and see other brands, even the top of the line stuff, it all seems cheap to me.
liquid force rules.

www.beyondboardom.com

just my $.02

[93SkiNautique]

That's cool guys, thanks for the tips. I made my decision and went with the Premier 136 Bio. I'm super stoked about it and I've only heard good things. Now I'm looking into some bindings, the same guy I bought it off originally recomended the Premier and is also recomending the '05 Murray boots. They look pretty sick, I've yet to try em on though...Plus, I gotta wait for a paycheck or two to cash, if you know what I mean. I totally appreciate the quick response, the people on this site never cease to dissapoint! Rock on all.

Peace.

[NautiqueJeff]

I have the '04 version of the Murrays (back then they were called Temets). They have been great, and I did get to check out the '05 Murrays down at his camp last year. They look super solid, and I have heard good things about them.

[Hollywood]

speck. I'm 160lbs and have ridden 131, 132, 133, 135, 136, 137, and 138 boards. The 138 is where I noticed it feeling a little large and lazy. It's mostly preference, I'm sure there are 150lb riders out there on 140s and love it.

[efox]

I recommend Transit bindings. I rode the Murrays and the Parks in April and was not really fond of the effort it took to get in and out of them. My Transits are the opposite though. You will like the Premier, it is a very forgiving board. I ride a Byerly because I like the way it locks in on edge though the Premeir was a second choice. Demo the equipment if you can. That will tell you a lot.

[Rhode]

I've ridden the Parks bindings since they came out a number of years ago. They have the most lateral give/side-to-side movement than any other boot I've fitted or heard about. Many times, I have given those boots credit for saving my knees on a tough fall. I did ride the old HL Belmont boots before that and liked them a lot. I am afraid of Sharpe's 3DS offering, given that guy was a hockey player and that I heard there is absolutely no give to those skates.

Rhode

[speck]

i was always told a larger board, within reason, will be more forgiving on landings, you will not sink into the water as much and catch an edge, you might save a few that you would have normally fallen.

[Rhode]

The flip of that is when you eat it big time and get ripped up because your board didn't make it all the around while spinning and flipping because of the extra size/length and swing weight. Consider that.

Rhode