Wakeboard Buyers Guide

Wakeboard Buyers Guide and Sizing Chart

Marine Products is the leading retailer of wakeboards and wakeboard related products. To help our customers find the perfect wakeboard for their needs, we have created this in-depth guide for purchasing the right wakeboard every time. After all, having a wakeboard that is the right size, style and shape is important for performance and safety.

If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to call one of our knowledgeable sales team members by dialing 801.973.4017

Wakeboard Length

The length of the perfect wakeboard depends on your riding style and weight. If you have more than one person using the same wakeboard, purchase one based on the weight of the rider who uses it the most. When a wakeboard is too long or too short, it can be difficult to use and also poses a few safety issues.

Typical sizing includes:

  • Under 100 lbs. = 130 cm
  • 90 – 150 lbs. = 130 – 134 cm
  • 130 – 180 lbs. = 135 – 139 cm
  • 170 – 250 lbs. = 140 – 144 cm
  • 200 – 275+ lbs. = Over 144 cm

Some manufacturers have specific weight/length requirements. Verify the specific requirements on the brand wakeboard you’re considering before you actually purchase it.

Short Versus Long Wakeboards

There is a time where going shorter or longer than your weight is important. Shorter wakeboards are slower and easier to maneuver in the water, which might be helpful if you’re a beginner or you want to learn more technique. However, shorter wakeboards also have less surface area, which means landings are harder. Longer wakeboards are easier to ride and are beneficial for new wake boarders trying to learn. You’ll work harder to get a longer wakeboard in the air, but you’ll also have more time to control it. And, since it has a longer surface area landings are softer than with a shorter board.

Skill Level

Wakeboards are designed with height/weight requirements, but also the rider’s skill level. As long as a wakeboard is large enough, just about anyone can ride on it, but the shape and style of the board determines how easy it is to ride. While size is the most important, skill level needs to be a close second.

Beginner to Intermediate Boards

  • Beginners or occasional riders
  • Priced for recreation
  • Continuous or mellow three-stage rockers

Intermediate to Advanced Boards

  • Crossing the wake or clearing the wake riders
  • Variety of features depending on the board
  • Compliments the riders style

Advanced to Expert Boards

  • Spinning, tricks, and stomping riders
  • Aggressive, continuous three-stage rockers
  • Less forgiving – must have expertise in wakeboarding
  • Priced for professional riding

Rockers and Riding Styles

Currently, there are three types of rockers. These rockers are listed on the specifications for the wakeboard you’re considering and determine whether or not you’re riding ability matches the wakeboard.

Continuous Rocker

  • Classified by a smooth, continuous arch
  • Offers a fast, smooth ride
  • Allows riders to turn more easily
  • Creates a lot of speed
  • Predictable riding
  • Great for carving

 

Three-Stage Rocker

  • Angled with a flat spot
  • Responds with more height on wakes
  • Looser, slippery feel while riding
  • Plows, rather than cuts through the water – making the ride slower
  • Sluggish feeling after a landing

 

Hybrids

  • Combines continuous and three-stage rockers
  • Combination varies depending on the brand

 

Camber

  • Is a mellow convex rise from the contact points of the tip and tail inward with an apex at the midpoint.
  • A rider’s edge hold and pop derive from the pressure exerted and expelled when camber is flexed under a rider’s weight.
  • Ronix Wakeboards first added camber to a wakeboard in 2014, before then camber was mostly part of snowboard design.

 

Base Shapes and Materials

Base shapes and materials dictate how your wakeboard responds to the water and rider. Every board has its own characteristics and understanding what these characteristics mean on the water can determine your experience.

Concaves

A concave is a special dent located on the base of your wakeboard. This helps lift and seconds as a suction-reducing mechanism that keeps your board above the water and helps it cruise.

Channels

Channels are long fins on the bottom of the wakeboard. These help break the surface tension of the water before your wakeboard hits. 

V-Shaped Spines

V-shapes are found on three-stage rockers to help make your landings softer.

Featureless

A wakeboard that doesn’t have a fin or channel is referred to as “featureless.” If you purchase a featureless wakeboard all of the performance is up to you and how you move it.

Edges

Wakeboard edges also determine performance on the water. If you’re looking to carve and control, the edges on your board matter. For beginners, edges are not as crucial but still should be considered. There are two edge properties to consider: variable and sharpness.

Variable

Variable helps blend the benefits of a sharp and round edge together. This offers a different sharpness that you’ll find in the tail and tip of the board. A variable edge is thicker, softer and grows smaller toward the tip and tail of the wakeboard. Boards with variable edges offer better grip with a forgiving edge for tricks. This board is also faster and better if you’re looking to carve through the water.

Sharpness

A board with a sharp edge is more aggressive; therefore, the sharper the edge the more aggressive the ride. But, with this aggressive ride comes faster speed and acceleration on the water. Sharper edges are recommended for riders who want an aggressive ride that cuts through the water. If you’re looking for surface tricks, a variable edge will do better.

Fins

Fins act as grippers in the water. Depending on their size, how many are on the board and their placement their effectiveness varies.

Size and Placement

The deeper and longer the fin is, the less a rider can do surface tricks. These are ideal for beginner riders who don’t plan on leaving the water or doing surface tricks. Advanced riders might find these too cumbersome and limiting.

Removable Fins

Some manufacturers offer removable fins. These can be unscrewed from the wakeboard and give riders more options. This is especially helpful if multiple riders are sharing the same wakeboard, but have differing ability levels.

Maintaining a Wakeboard

As with any other recreational equipment, wakeboards require some maintenance to keep them in their optimum working condition. When you purchase a wakeboard through Marine Products, we want your investment to last, which is why we recommend the following maintenance tips:

  1. Don’t leave your wakeboard in the sun for prolonged periods. Too much sun exposure can warp and damage the materials used in the board.
  2. After using your wakeboard, rinse it – especially if it was in salt water.
  3. Store your wakeboard and take precautions while transporting it. Never stack items on top of it.
  4. Dry your board thoroughly before placing it in its storage bag.
  5. Always store in a dry, cool place.

Learn more about Marine Products or visit our other buying guides to get to know your gear. Got questions? Contact a sales team member by dialing 801.973.4017 now.

 

*To suggest changes or improvements to this Buyers Guide please email: guides@marine-products.com