Help me decide on a board.

[2007 Outback V]

I want to pick up a new board this spring, but I am having troubles deciding on which board I want. I am 6'1" and 200 lbs, a little winter weight yet, but hope to be back to 185-190 this summer. Currently I have a hyperlite broadcast 4'9", which is my first board. I can free surf fairly well and ride up the wave a little. I feel like I am a little heavy for the board, it rides low in the water and I can lose the wave if I get too aggressive. I want a board that is faster, rides more on top of the wave, and something I can learn to do airs on. Sure doing spins sounds fun and is something I will play around with a little, but I like carving up and down the wave more. I'd like to be able to fall back on the wave more and then be able to catch back up, I think a faster board with more float would allow me to do this. I would like to stay under $500.

Here are some of the boards I have been looking at:

Grind Water Shapiro Ginsu
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Bargain-Sports/items/item.aspx?itemid=13099292
-At first I thought this was exactly what I wanted, it has all the main attributes that I am looking for. However, recently I have been finding that most people think the board is really fragile? I don't want to have to worry about dinging the board/cracking the epoxy/glass. I understand that I can't be slamming the board into the back of the boat, but I don't want the board to messed up if it were to get bumped into a pole or something.

Ronix Koal
http://www.evo.com/outlet/wake-surfboards/ronix-koal-wakesurf-board-2010.aspx#utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shoppingengine
-Again seems like a great board, but I hear it is fragile as well.

Triple XXX
https://www.triplexsurfandskim.com/Wakesurfers_c22/
-I have been considering these, I don't know too much about them. The surf style boards seem to be what I am looking for. I like the price of the skim boards better, and they have a quite a few of them on sale right now. I have read good reviews on these boards, and I haven't heard that they are really fragile?

Walker wakesurfs
-I have read great things about these boards, but I don't even know where to purchase one? I also believe they are out of my budget.

Inland Surfer
http://www.inlandsurfer.com/shop/Details.asp?ProdID=116&category=5
-Sweet Spot, http://www.inlandsurfer.com/shop/Details.asp?ProdID=116&category=5 sounds like an awesome board, solid construction and fast. A bit out of my price point, but a possibility. I think I would have to ride one before I'd bit this bullet.
-Swallow Quad, http://www.boardco.com/shopexd.asp?id=17774 seems even better than the sweet spot, but again pricey. The full carbon model is a winner, but that is just a dream for me.

I am open to any suggestions/recommendations? Thanks in advance.

[spoon03]

I would say that if you are looking for carving and air board, I would go with a surf style board. The skim style doesn't grab real well at the bottom to gain speed for airs and slashing. I live about 15 min from XXX. I went to their shop on Collins Rd. in Jacksonville to look around and their surf style boards are nice and economical. I don't have one yet (have the IS Black Pearl Skim and Phase5 Oogle) but I think I am going to ask for a XXX surf style for Father's Day. I am hoping I can get a demo to try it out.

[11 Outback V]

Inland surfer has the Mucus listed for 349. It is a B grade which means it has a cosmetic flaw but everything else is the same ie warranty and construction quality.

[2007 Outback V]

I would most definetly add the Inland Surfer Blue Lake Quad to your short list.

Try everything you can before you buy


I thought about it, but seems more like a laid back cruiser board. I want something quick and snappy.

[2007 Outback V]

Inland surfer has the Mucus listed for 349. It is a B grade which means it has a cosmetic flaw but everything else is the same ie warranty and construction quality.


Didn't see that one before, thanks for pointing it out. Good deal, but I feel like it may not be as advanced as I'm looking for. I think I might want more out of it as I get better.

[wolfeman131]

try out a Lakewakes board. each one is hand made here in the USA, strong/durable, light and fun! Call Mark and tell him your from the Moomba board for the best price.

http://www.lakewakes.com/

[2007 Outback V]

try out a Lakewakes board. each one is hand made here in the USA, strong/durable, light and fun! Call Mark and tell him your from the Moomba board for the best price.

http://www.lakewakes.com/


Sent an email to them. I not crazy about the graphics, but I care more about performance. Hope they are something in my price range. Thanks for the recommendation.

[wolfeman131]

Sent an email to them. I not crazy about the graphics, but I care more about performance. Hope they are something in my price range. Thanks for the recommendation.

The great thing about custom board is that there are plenty of graphics to pick from or even design your own. And, I think these boards perform great.

[2007 Outback V]

The great thing about custom board is that there are plenty of graphics to pick from or even design your own. And, I think these boards perform great.

I do agree. However, I think I may be leaning away from a custom board due to cost. Definitely will consider more in the future.

[2007 Outback V]

Anyone have any opinions, additional info on some of the boards I listed above?

[c.rix]

I have a phase 5 I like alot ?

[BobP]

I've ridden the Ronix Koal, the longer one. It's a nice board
but too big for me(165 lbs) It can be spun. It does get heel dents easily.

The IS Blue is very nice and buoyant. Very fast. I would think
you need a pretty big wave to get much air with it.

The IS Sweet is great, also extremely fast. Lighter and smaller
than the IS Blue, should get air easier but I still can't do it, not
sure if wave is big enough. Thought about selling it ( I think you
May have inquired about it but not sure if I'm going to part with
it now). Our boat is not in the water yet but if you feel like driving to Michigan some time this summer you are more than welcome to try it.

[spoon03]

Whe I get home, I'll try to get a demo of the TripleX and try it out. If I like it, I'm going to buy a surf style. I'll keep you posted. You really can't beat the price of the TripleX boards.

[in the bubble]

Whe I get home, I'll try to get a demo of the TripleX and try it out. If I like it, I'm going to buy a surf style. I'll keep you posted. You really can't beat the price of the TripleX boards.


YEs , for a disposable board, you always get what you pay for in quality.

[2007 Outback V]

YEs , for a disposable board, you always get what you pay for in quality.

Bad experience or heard of one? Details?

[spoon03]

Whe I get home, I'll try to get a demo of the TripleX and try it out. If I like it, I'm going to buy a surf style. I'll keep you posted. You really can't beat the price of the TripleX boards.


YEs , for a disposable board, you always get what you pay for in quality.

Yes, please enlighten.

I do agree to a certain extent. It depends on what you use it for. I have an IS Black Skim Pearl about $600. Also, a Phase Five about $540. Both excellent quality boards, but both have gotten dinged up. I also have a CWB Ride, inferior in quality, but takes bumps a little better and I can ride it with me and my little girl on it. So, just depends. Boards are made to be used and probably will get scuffs and dings over time, but each has a purpose on how you ride.

[sandm]

Bad experience or heard of one? Details?


would be interested in that as well. I had one of their pro riders out last summer. he brought 6 or 7 boards with him. several of the skim boards were every bit as strong as my is or phase 5. now the surf style made out of foam were a treat to ride, but there is def. an extra level of care associated with these boards. not the strong construction you will find in 'glas boards like the is or broadcast.

hoping to buy one in pink, but pricing is a big deterrent right now :(

[you da man]

Didn't see that one before, thanks for pointing it out. Good deal, but I feel like it may not be as advanced as I'm looking for. I think I might want more out of it as I get better.

The Mucus is going to be a very fast board. It's basically a copy of a Flyboy which is a sick and advanced board with air in mind

[501]

I just got a new 2011 Slingshot Arcane surfbord. if you watch the video's it looks to be a sweet ride. My lake is still solid ice but we hope to be riding with dry suits in 2-3 weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk9B9kjUUvY&playnext=1&list=PLA2D9736D169D351E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz1vsRFitbY

[flydoc]

I have a triple x slasher and really like it. They are more like a true surf board so a little fragile but for the price they are hard to beat. Their skim style boards are more durable. A composite board will be much more durable but wont float as high. You need one of each to really do it all. I wanted a walker comp x to do it all but you can't really find them anymore (or can you)?

[T100]

I would put Shred Stixx on your list if boards to research, I ride the 2010 Ja Mako excellent board for all. Have fun looking and demoing.

www.shredstixx.com

[morgan040]

INLAND SURFER

i would save your money and get an Inland Surfer!!! they are so boyant anyone can ride them. They sit so high in the water, and it so easy to turn and learn tricks.

The down side is they are very fragile (due to constrution making them so boyant), and expensive.

you wont be disappointed, I guarentee it.

[you da man]

I agree with Ed on Inland Surfer. They are not fragile by any means. They are great boards and will last years. Shred Stixx are pretty sturdy boards and float much better than Inland Surfers and are much more surf like then Inland Surfer. IF you want to see what a fragile board is like, look at the Ronix Koal or any Grind Water Sports boards. Those boards will dent just by putting them in a rack or in the v-drive locker. Inland Surfer boards being epoxy are only about an inch thigh compared to foam boards which are over 2" thick. So...foam or hand shaped boards will float much higher than Inland Surfer.