5ft LF surfboard big enough for 210lb guy???

[rodecker1978]

Hey fellas. Me and some buddies were working on our surfin skills this weekend behind my 08' X2. Had 10 people in boat with all ballast tanks filled. Still had some trouble maintaining momentum (w/o rope) down the wave. I weigh 210 lbs and my other buds are around 180-200lbs and all of us are havin the same problem. I've been doing a lot of playing around the find the sweetspot in the wave but can't seem to get it. Balance and stabilization is not an issue, just can't seem to get the momentum to ride w/o the rope for any extended peroid. I have a 5' LF Venture and a 4'6" LF Custom and am not having much luck with either... Do I need an even bigger board? Any other tips from you experienced surfers??

Thanks much! :D

[Monte]

I tried a 54 inch at CSM. I am 6' 2" 170 and had problems riding it/ catching the wake. Rode Knox's 6ft CWB razor and had no problems. I got my son up with me .. good board...
http://www.wakeside.com/product/138058.do?code=GOOGLEBASE&CAWELAID=163015666

I just ordered a 5'11 Hyperlite landlock. I'll give you a review as soon as I get a chance to ride it.
http://www.amazon.com/Hyperlite-Landlock-Wakesurfer5-11/dp/B000VQO6LM

[06' X-2 R8R H8R]

keep your weight on your forward foot. We went last weekend and my buddy got a 5'4'' board and I was fimally able to surf without the rope. I have an x2 as well and I have been searching for that sweet spot. seems to me that you had enough weight in the boat with all your buddies there, just keep trying till you get it. also I didnt put my back foot all the way back, about 8 inches from the rear of the board. Good luck.........oh I weigh about 180..

[rodecker1978]

Thanks guys. Monte - I'm anxious to hear how the 5'11" board works for ya... I'm hoping it's just a matter of skill/practice, I don't want to buy another board darnitt!!! Hoping that my 5' board will do the trick eventually after I spend enough hours on it...

[Eagle]

How much weight do you have in the boat? What speed are you going?

[jpattigr]

I am 6'6" and weigh around 245 and can finally surf rope free behind my 197!! The magic board is a Inland Surfer "Red Tide" and this board is very fast and easy to ride. I had an HO Broadcast 5'6" board before it I could only ride a short time and stay in the sweet spot only. The Red Tide allows a lot more fun!!

[91ps190]

jpattigr what do you have for weight in the 197?

[Gerd]

We have an inland surfer "blue lake" and even my fairly large (6' 2" 220lb) brother-inlaw can go a while without the rope. We tried some of the neighbours boards and always go back to the "blue lake"
Ask your local shop if they'll let you demo a couple of different boards before you spend the large to buy another one.

[endl]

That board should be plenty big. I am 6' 5" and weigh about 215. I ride a 58" Phase Five Oogle which is a skim style board. I have ridden a 4'2" LF custom also with no problem.

Your gonna hate to hear this but its not the board. I had the same issues and untill I figured out the weight distribution on the board and leaning back and forward to control speed I could not stay up without the rope.

Just keeping working and you guys will get it. Make sure your getting all the extra ballast (people or bags) to which ever side your surfing and also work with your speed. Wave needs to curl on top a bit. More weight in the rear equals taller weight adding some in the front lengthens the lake so you can get further back on the wave.

Bigger boards longer and thicker obviously float better but limit you on tricks and manueuverability ect. I would keep that board you have learn on it then you can progress toward a smaller board either skim or surf style.

Also wakeoutlaws.com is a great site and forum for wakesurfing.

[D3skier]

I am 6'6" and weigh around 245 and can finally surf rope free behind my 197!! The magic board is a Inland Surfer "Red Tide" and this board is very fast and easy to ride. I had an HO Broadcast 5'6" board before it I could only ride a short time and stay in the sweet spot only. The Red Tide allows a lot more fun!!

I've got a couple fat sacs in my 197 as well and unable to hold the wake with a 4' 6" board how do you have that thing set up? I'm only 6' 175lbs

[Roonie's]

Hey fellas. Me and some buddies were working on our surfin skills this weekend behind my 08' X2. Had 10 people in boat with all ballast tanks filled. Still had some trouble maintaining momentum (w/o rope) down the wave. I weigh 210 lbs and my other buds are around 180-200lbs and all of us are havin the same problem. I've been doing a lot of playing around the find the sweetspot in the wave but can't seem to get it. Balance and stabilization is not an issue, just can't seem to get the momentum to ride w/o the rope for any extended peroid. I have a 5' LF Venture and a 4'6" LF Custom and am not having much luck with either... Do I need an even bigger board? Any other tips from you experienced surfers??

Thanks much! :D

I have an 07 X2 and with stock weight I could not let go of the rope no matter what I tried or who was riding behind my boat. The sweet spot is not there for stock wake surfing. The wake was too washed out. You need to add some weight which will help your situation. Also use just your port (if riding port) and KGB filled and not the starboard. First add some weight in rear port locker and a little up front. Have friends sit on port side near the stern. Try speeds from 9-10.5 mph and turn slowly to the left and see if you can find the sweet spot then. I got tired of bringing home made ballast on board so I finally plumbed in a full fly high kit.

[PDXSurfer]

Two things most people miss for surfing:
1. Weight distribution throughout the boat. Slam the corner and keep a couple hundred up front but all along one side. That will give you the height and the depth on the wake. Lots of times you feel like you can't find the sweet spot because your wake is too short. I can surf easily 8-10 feet off the back of an X1 with stock ballast and 10 people (6' 215 5'3" CWB Ride) with proper distribution.
2. It's all about your position on the board and where you're pointing it. Watch a couple youtube videos and look around at pics - the nose of your board should be pointed inboard on the boat (I use the lifting eye as a reference point for beginners). Most people who can't keep the wake are letting their front foot and the board drift outward, away from the energy of the wave. You should be using the toeside edge of the board and be cutting into the wake to get that forward speed, and can generate more by "pumping" or turning up and down the wake.

[jpattigr]

Ahh, the magic question of weight distribution in my 197, I have 3 440 lb fat sacs. We are surf regular and we put one across the back under the bench seat which is raised into the sun pad position, second one ones lengthwise on passenger side beside engine and the third one is in the front bow foot area onto the cooler. Along with this we have some friends spread throughout the boat!
I would stress that I am over the weight limit for the boat and that you must drive very cautiously as the bow will take water in. Also need to spread the weight along the whole left side of the boat and NOT just at the back! Be careful to make sure the rear air vents stay above the water as you will take on water quickly though the vents if overloaded (don't ask how I know this!!).
I find that 9.7 mph is perfect on my boat and it is as good as a SL boat can be for surfing! Our Friends have a X 10 and it is much better for surfing then my 197 at the best of times!!

[rodecker1978]

Thanks for all the input guys. To answer a few questions: I have usually had all 9 others in the rear port area...I will try putting maybe two of them upfront on the port side. We have been riding around 11-12 mph, perhaps we'll try a little slower and see what the wave does.

Question....what is the general consensus about weight distribution on the board for a beginner? On a 5ft board should my back foot be 8-10 inches off the tail and the forward foot be close to the edge of the foam pad??

Much appreciated!!

[Roonie's]

Thanks for all the input guys. To answer a few questions: I have usually had all 9 others in the rear port area...I will try putting maybe two of them upfront on the port side. We have been riding around 11-12 mph, perhaps we'll try a little slower and see what the wave does.

Question....what is the general consensus about weight distribution on the board for a beginner? On a 5ft board should my back foot be 8-10 inches off the tail and the forward foot be close to the edge of the foam pad??

Much appreciated!!

Yep the key is weight distribution and definately go slower.... You need some weight up front to keep the wash out down. Try going 9 mph and slolwy creep up and see how the wake does.

I usually have my foot about where you describe. Just make sure it is a comfortable stance and not spread eagle. Putting weight forward and it helps not needing the rope. Also as mentioned in here already point the nose of the board at the transom eyelet so it will cause you to carve into the wake. Most make the mistake of pointing it out away from the boat and you go slower.

[rodecker1978]

Yep the key is weight distribution and definately go slower.... You need some weight up front to keep the wash out down. Try going 9 mph and slolwy creep up and see how the wake does.

I usually have my foot about where you describe. Just make sure it is a comfortable stance and not spread eagle. Putting weight forward and it helps not needing the rope. Also as mentioned in here already point the nose of the board at the transom eyelet so it will cause you to carve into the wake. Most make the mistake of pointing it out away from the boat and you go slower.

Thanks Roonie's. I'll put your advice into action next week and hope for some progress :D

[lassy]

i'd recommend the red inland surfer for the following....paddle in starts and doubles
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/ericlassiterspics/spivey/n44300338_31438761_7363.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/ericlassiterspics/spivey/n44300338_31438723_9666.jpg

go with the ronix for a faster more agile board
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/ericlassiterspics/spivey/n44300338_31438741_4905.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/ericlassiterspics/spivey/niceslaysh.jpg

[Roonie's]

I think you just invented a new sport.... kind of like the mile high club but on water.

[lassy]

yessireebob

[Carbon Dreams]

Just pick up one of these and be done with board buying...

http://www.exileskimboards.com/products_flash.html

My buddy is the owner and gave me an early prototype. It is really fun behind the boat. Once you get used to no fins, you will never want to go back. I am 6'3" 205 and surf on a med carbon fiber Exile skimboard that is ridiculously fast. FYI: The boat speed is usually 10.8 (light) 11.6 (heavy)

[Roonie's]

Just pick up one of these and be done with board buying...

http://www.exileskimboards.com/products_flash.html

My buddy is the owner and gave me an early prototype. It is really fun behind the boat. Once you get used to no fins, you will never want to go back. I am 6'3" 205 and surf on a med carbon fiber Exile skimboard that is ridiculously fast. FYI: The boat speed is usually 10.8 (light) 11.6 (heavy)

That is for skim style surfing. The question is if you want to go skim style or more traditional style as they require different boards for both.

[Carbon Dreams]

Dude, I ride them all...The surf style boards are boring behind a boat. In the ocean I prefer a nice big and stable platform over skimming. Probably due to the pain of eating sand. Just a preference. I guess we all have opinions, right...

[D3skier]

i'd recommend the red inland surfer for the following....paddle in starts and doubles
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r234/ericlassiterspics/spivey/n44300338_31438761_7363.jpg

ok now you're just rubbing it in... lucky bastard!!!!

did anyone notice that mansion in the background??? holy cow!!!