First Board (O'Brien)
 

Looking to buy my first board and life vest and just wanted your opinion. I was going to buy O'brien Alias Wakesurf Board (5 ft- 0 in) and O'Neill Reactor III USCG Vest (Large). I'm 6 ft and 190lbs. I will be wakeboarding mostly but would like to have a beginner to intermediate board. I would like to be able to do surface spins but nothing to flashy and be able to teach others to ride. I have about $200+ in gift cards to spend at amazon so it would be nice to able to find something on their site. Well what do you guys think of the board and vest.

http://www.amazon.com/OBrien-2141264...rhf_se_p_dnr_1
http://www.amazon.com/ONeill-Reactor...ords=life+vest

The Alias is one of my least favorite boards ever made. Terrible performance. There's got to be something better in your price range. Maybe a Broadcast or something?

I would also agree with Tuneman. I have ridden one and did not like it at all. It is in my bottom 2 boards I've ridden, that and the Broadcast are pretty close to being my least favorite.

I have a question for you though, what have you ridden so far? I would see if you can ride friends' boards, maybe demo some from a local shop or something. See what you like. Since you are wanting to do surface spins, it sounds like you are .looking for a skim style board
I would also look at buying used, that way if you don't like it, you are not so much out and can normally resale it for a similar price and break even.
I picked up my first board this winter off ebay for a steal. Here are some I found there in a similar price range

A Ronix Cortez, this is a surf style board though
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Ronix-C...item233814369f

and a CWB Razr skim style
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CWB-Razr-Ski...item4178edaa39

Outlaw Surf Designs custom board (surf style)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-53-Wa...item417ff4ce7e

Ronix Koal Fish (surf style)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ronix-Wake-S...item338e27c252

Liquid Force Tommy Custom (skim style)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Liquid-Force...item27e30f58f8

and to top it off, a pretty decently priced Phase 5, just needs a fin.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Phase-Five-P...item35d5a171ea

I'll keep to Tuneman and Surf Addict's lists. As much as I hate the Broadcast for what it simply is (stretch skim hybrid), it is a good beginner, price point board.

The ronix boards you get what you pay for.

The Tommy Skim, 2014 model is cool, lighter and better built than previous years from a wear and tear standpoint.

Thanks for all the advice. Sorry I never replied. I have been traveling for work. I actually just bought a 4'-7" Byerly Hazard (2011) and a 132 Hyperlite Tribute (2009) for my girlfriend since I was able to get both for $120. Figured it was a deal I couldn't pass up. I'm going to try it out this weekend to give myself an idea of how long a board I want. I'm thinking 4'-10" to maybe 5'-0". Might get the chance to ride a longer board as well if my co-worker gets out this weekend. I think I would like something like that Tommy skim. I'll let you know how this weekend goes.

Very nice. I've actually been looking for a Byerly Hazard. I got to ride a 5'4 one last weekend and loved it. Did you get a it local or from a store or something? If it's from a shop, shoot me the info if they might have any more.
The Hazard is like a Broadcast on Steroids. It is a blast to ride. You'll love it.

I found it off Craiglist. The guy happened to live 2 minutes from my house. He wanted $150 for the surf and $120 for the wake but made the mistake of immediately telling me some one he used to ride with gave them to him and now has no use for them. I was going to offer $200 for both before he said that and then before I could make an offer on both he said he would take $120 and I quickly responded "SOLD!" I still want to buy a ~5' board. I rode a 5'-9" Hyperlite this past weekend and it was nice to practice on since it has been awhile since I've ridden but I definitely want something smaller. I'm thinking of getting a 2013 Liquid Force Doum Skim 4'-10". I've seen them pop up for around $280.