Cheap beginner / knock around boat board?

[sybrmike]

Is the Hyperlite Broadcast still the defacto standard for a beginner/GP boat board? I'm gonna be hosting a bunch of newbs (even newbier than me) Memorial Day, so looking for a cheap barn door that everyone can get up on - plus help give me a stable platform as I continue to dial in my surf wake this year.

Looks like I missed out on the '12 Broadcast closeout at evo's outlet. Any other suggestions on a board or source? Thanks.

[kaneboats]

Think I saw some on ebay the other day. Yes, it's kind of still the standard boat board.

[wolfeman131]

I'd steer you to the LF Doum model. For $50 more, I think it on get a much better board.

http://www.towanza.com/products/1222-Wakesurf/default.asp?page=3&id=1222

Or, 2012 closeout for less than 2013 Broadcast

http://www.evo.com/outlet/wake-surfboards/liquid-force-doum-skim-wakesurf-board-2012.aspx

[jmvotto]

Think I saw some on ebay the other day. Yes, it's kind of still the standard boat board.


I have one as well for a boat board.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hyperlite-Broadcast-Wakesurf-Board-/230965410630?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35c69c7b46

[EricU]

Is the Hyperlite Broadcast...the '12 Broadcast closeout... Any other suggestions on a board or source? Thanks.

Hyperlite Broadcast Wakesurf 2012 (http://www.wakerootsrideshop.com/hyperlite-broadcast-wakesurf-2012/) $220 Free Shipping

[sybrmike]

Thx guys - I assume the 5'4" would be the preference to accommodate a wider range of riders? My crew for the weekend will range from petite females to a lineman that just signed his letter of intent with LSU. I do have a Coex that will probably work o.k. for the smaller riders, and a 5'6" ocean board that we've found to be a little squirrelly, so looking to add a stable ride that will suitable for most folks.

[wolfeman131]

oh, goodness. . .

you must not have read my other posts about the importance of buoyancy as it relates to the speed and, some may argue, ease of riding/staying in the pocket. IMO, that is simply too much of a spread in size for one board to work well for everyone. Is it possible to have a board that everyone can ride? Yes. Ride well? No.

The smallest OL on the LSU roster, except the long snappers, is 248 lbs and most are over 300.

http://lsu.rivals.com/croster.asp?Team=LSU&Sort=3

That kid will sink most boards and never be able to have any fun as he will be working way too hard to keep the wave.

Problem is that there aren't many/any production boards out there to handle somebody that big. Inland Surfer Flyboy just released a Big Boy version, but it isn't cheap and even it's only rated for folks up to 260lbs.

http://store.flyboywakesurf.com/products/inland-surfer/

LakeWakes also made a big boy board for awhile, but I'm not sure if it's still available.

I'll send out a few notes to some folks that really know what they are talking about to see if we can find something that will work.

[wolfeman131]

Got a recommendation for the IS Red Rocket for the big guy. Again, not a cheapo knock around, but one that he could ride.

[sybrmike]

Thanks for the feedback, but think the "big tiger" may be relegated to strapping on the tube. I don't mind providing boat/gas/equipment/etc. for a group of post-prom kids, but I'm not adding a single-use board for someone else. Looks like it'll be the bigger Broadcast - ride it or not & can still serve our family later...

[rca]

This is going to look a bit crazy, but for a knock around board a big guy can ride I'd recommend this one from Amazon. There are a few of us on here that have it and ride it. I know Taft's wife likes to ride it and she is tiny. I'm a good 250 and really enjoy it. It's light and quick, but I found it to be much easier to ride than several other boards I've tried.

It's listed at $320 right now, but I don't think I paid that much for it. It is free shipping though.

http://www.amazon.com/Osia-Wake-inch-Surfboard-Package/dp/B004SPFPIK/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1366409648&sr=1-3

[Stazi]

I would go look at a LF Fish in 5'6" I have a 5'4" and I'm 208lb and I can stay in the pocket, but I wish I had the 5'^" to give me a bit more forgiveness when I fall ball. Mind you I'm surfing behind a 2004 Mobius LS, and even with a shit-ton of water ballast in it. it's not the ultimate surfin wave, but it does alright.

[sybrmike]

Well, looks like I missed out on the NorCal (out of stock when you try to order) and the Ebay Broadcast (sold). Was hoping to stay closer to 2 than $300 for something we hope to quickly outgrow and use for others, but I'll see what I can do on the suggested alternates. Thanks again for the input...

[z28ke]

Since I'm a bigger guy I started with a hyperlite landlock, which has served as my board and the boat board the last 2 seasons. Most of my friends have learned how to surf on it, very stable board. This year I've upgraded to the danielo pro carbon xl, only a select few of my buddies are going to ride that!

[tgoody14]

I wanna say I read here somewhere if you remove the outer fins or the middle fin on your Broadcast it makes for a different ride... Can someone clarify on this, as I also use the broadcast as my boat board for everyone to use....

[wolfeman131]

Sure, with any multiple fin setup board, adding and removing, as well changing the size of fins will change the ride characteristics. On a broadcast, it will be locked in/stable with all 3, looser with the outer 2 only and break away the easiest with only 1 in the middle.

[sybrmike]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I found a slightly used 5'6" Fish with just a few minor dings on the bottom for cheap. Got a chance to work on the goofy side weighting for my daughter over Memorial Day weekend. Several kids had some decent free rides, but this was the only pic taken. Approximately 400# bow, 750# stbd chaise next to doghouse, 200 stbd rear bench, 300# ski locker, and 6 post prom teenagers mostly stbd. Not too shabby for a 24 year old DD. Can't wait to play in earnest...

http://i.imgur.com/gxFFrgB.jpg