Intermediate boards?

[ccowell]

Ok its time for a new board package but not sure what to get.

I started a few years ago with a O'Brien board just to get into it, and now I think that I want a new board. My question is what should I look for in them or what have you guys been riding and have had good luck with. I know that this is a opinion question but I want your opinion to what I should get.

I am getting into it and can clear the wake and ride fakie and do most of the beginner things. I'm looking for a intermediate board now.

I have snowboarded for about 10 years now and ride a 155 darkstar and have been into wake for about 3 now.

[Panda Cub]

My personal view is that wakeboard are nothing like waterskis, in the aspect that any wakeboard will work fine for both a beginner through advanced wakeboarder.

I recommend riding a hyperlite board, I have been riding the same board for 8-9 years now and it has held up very well.

[jbkriss]

Might be a little difficult, but you should try to go to a proshop around you. I disagree about 'any wakeboard will work fine for both a beginner through advanced'. There are certain types of rockers that are better left to the advanced riders (three stage abrupt) and some that are easier for the average guy out on the lake (continuous). Rocker also affects how fast the board rides. The pop of some will boot you up higher while other rockers are designed to put you out in the flats. Best thing is to talk to someone in a pro-shop that deals several mfg's. Most will even let you demo a board if you put a deposit down since they know you're in the market for a new board. One other place to check is Wakeboarding Magazine. They have equipment reviews. wakeworld.com is another good resource.

[damaged442]

When I was looking, well, several years ago, I hit up Brinson Marine. They're located next to OCC. At the time, they were dealing with Liquid Force, but I'm pretty sure they're Hyperlite now. They let me "rent" a board for the weekend. I think it was like $20 a day or something. I liked it, bought it, and they took what I paid for "renting" off the price of the board. You really couldn't beat the deal. I ended up with a Trip 138, which IMO is still a board that can more than hold it's own. I've taught countless people to ride with it, and I've had people throwing inverts with it. I've ridden numerous other boards, and keep coming back to it. You asked for my opinion, and that's it! Well, and you should stay away from PBR!

If you have other questions, send me a PM.

[nmcjr]

I was recommended a Liquid Force Witness (Ben Greenwood) by Kyle Schmidt and have been very happy with it. It is a hybrid rocker--a compromise between 3-stage and continuous and is very stable and predictable. Great pop and I really like the balance between locked in and loose, even without fins. Also, it has a variable edge, (less sharp in the middle) which can prevent a few of the faceplants on bad landings and lands nice and soft. Another really popular LF board is the Watson, which I also like. I am 6'2" 195 lbs and ride the 144 FWIW.

Size is also very important, and I think a lot of people tend to buy on the small side, so be sure to buy one that is big enough-it gives you more surface to pop with and lands softer.

The best would be to demo some, but that is pretty hard in this economy due to board shops not having as much in stock. Whatever you buy, I would suggest getting an '09 or later since most companies are now shipping 6" plate spacing but from 06-08 this spacing was quite variable and is a pain and new boots are shipping with 6" spacing.

[76S&S]

^^ I am riding this board as well and have been very happy with it. I rode for one year with the center fin and last year without (which I like better).

[possumlover82]

Ronix one all the way.... IMO

[ccowell]

I know that going to a shop would be the best thing to do and take a "test drive" but I don't know of any shops in upstate NY that sell boards. Everyone that I have known always orders there stuff online.

[Thrall]

I'm an intermediate rider at best. Got a LF Omega several years ago. Good board, sturdy, has a hybrid? (continuous/3 stage rocker) rocker I think. Everyone from beginners to guys better than me said it rides real easy. I can get plenty of pop out of it. I'd reccomend LF for an int board.
That said, I've ridden some real abrupt 3 stage Hyperlites and ROnix boards that buddies have and found them to ride equally as well. Only one I don't like is the Hyperlite, Parks? maybe with the big outside fins. Those will catch you in a surface slide or going switch and let you meet the water with your face REAL fast!
I think as long as you are a solid rider, you could go 3 stage without issue.
Just order one online unless you want to pay a fortune thru a local shop. IMO, it's not the board, it's the rider. Any new board is going to feel different than what you're currently riding for the first few sets, thn you'll adapt.

[MC76restore]

my best friend goes through about a board a year due to hard abuse, (he works at pine lake ski school here in MI, and he used to and sometimes still does compete) he also rides just about every board they have in their pro shop. his personal boards are always hyperlites but he also likes ronix boards.

i love my 07 hyperlite murray board. its a great shape for me(an intermediate rider) but is also good enough for the pros. mine is a hybrid 3 stage rocker. between a 3 stage and a continuous. i had an old warn out hyperlite board before that one and it took a lot of abuse and i still sold it for more than i bought it for.

some riders, i have seen, really benefit from certain boards, and most of my friends wont buy till they have ridden a few new boards. idk, if there is a shop near you that would let you test ride some boards, but it might help.

PS. i always buy my boards, bindings, vests, ropes ect. at the Detroit boat show. i usually buy last years model for half off. idk, if there is a show near you where this would happen but there are deals to be had during the winter months. lots of pro shops / dealers have sales at their open houses/ boat shows. especially on previous year inventories.