Ronix Parks Carbon Thruster - First Ride Impressions

[bergermaister]

So my new "secret weapon" finally got wet this weekend. Picked up an almost new 2013 Ronix Parks Carbon Thruster demo through a great lead from SandM (Thanks again!). I wanted a surf style board but couldn't justify going custom or forking out the $$ for similar big boy boards.

This is a 4'7" board and I'm 6'3 and 210ish so I was a little worried about it being too short. With a small wave it would probably not happen. With a decent to monster wave I think most guys could ride this no problem.

Absolutely love the carbon fiber finish on this thing - really pops.





The bottom edges have a bit of a curvature and rail to them vs smooth and flat like a skim board.

Super light weight. It's thicker than my other boards and won't fit in a normal wakeboard rack. So when you go to grab it, it's surprising how light it is. Comes with 10 fins, and 5 fin slots with multiple options. Yes, that's a whole lotta fins. I'm still a newbie at fin tuning so I stuck all 5 larger (2.9" I think) on it and set out.



Thinking it wouldn't budge with all those fins in the water I was quite surprised how squirrely it felt. Loose but fast! With the tip curling up more you have the ability to step on the go pedal a bit more than a flatter rocker board without pearling.

Early on it was clear the board is beyond where I'm at now but I'm looking forward to stepping up my game. It feels like it will spin fairly easy, even with all those fins, and is plenty buoyant. Also feels like some airs are definitely going to be easier.

I wasn't running enough weight up front so the pocket was a bit shorter on this first test run (which was also too short). Then I was messing around with a new GoPro remote I just got which was cool but distracting.

Anyway, here's a little vid of the first run fun.

[slipperyrockTKE300]

I must say - that's a damn good looking board! Most aren't.

[sandm]

glad you like it. that board looks amazing..
much different than riding a skimstyle....

lose the middle back fin. most guys run a 4 fin setup..

enjoy..

[smorris7]

I have this board and love it. Bought a couple of fcs fins and run it as a twin. Super fast super loose. My favorite board.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kaneboats]

Very slick looking board. My observation though: you need more wake or more board. Keep losing the pocket every time you try to do anything.

[bergermaister]

Agreed. Kinda wish it were the 5' model, but another 400lbs up front makes the pocket a lot better.

Was hoping for another run last night but it was all sailboats on the river. Board didn't even come out of the locker.

[168rod]

I'm 6'4, 240ish and ride the 5'7;it's awesome!

Here's a vid from a couple of weeks ago ...

[bergermaister]

Lookin good - so what fin setup are you running?

I'm planning to experiment more this weekend with just the 4 fins, maybe drop down to the smaller ones on the edges, play around with it.

[smorris7]

Ok fins arrived today - and I learned that when you buy "one" it is actually a set of 3, two outsides and one inner. So now I have 6 fins....

Anyway, it is easy to tell which fin is the center - both edges are rounded. The other two have a flat edge and a curved edge, so basically a left and a right. Thing is I have no idea which is which and there are no indicators on them or in the package.

So I'm guessing you want the flat edge facing toward the center of the board, and the rounded edge facing the outside? Or vice versa?

Yes that is correct. Try it with all 3 as a thruster and see what you think. THEN remove the center fin. Also make sure your outside fins are as far FORWARD as possible.

[bergermaister]

Will do - thanks for the advice!