I am thinking about giving a 3-stage board a try and since I am not sure that it will be for me, I think that I will purchase either a new or used prior year model. I currently ride a Hyperlite TFD DNA 142 and a Hyperlite Belmont 144. Both these boards are continuous rockers and I would like to have more pop from my board. Can anyone give me advise on what would be a great 3-stage board what rides okay in chop (we rarely have glass), lands fairly soft and POPS high. It would also be good if it was a board that I could more easily transition to from what I currently ride. I have heard that the Liquid Force Substance and CWB Absolute might be good choices (I weight 180 lbs and am 6'). Any years better than others? <BR>Thanks for your help.

Pick up an older Byerly. That board will tell you whether 3 stage is for you.

A LF Substance or an old Premier/Era would be good. Either a 138 or 142 Substance or a 140 Premier

old byerlys pop awesome

if you dont want to spend alot the lf substance are a steal on ebay......typically the lower half of 100 bucks.(100-150) <BR> <BR>Two riders on my boat have one ......and let me tell you that board has some pop!...get the 142....Randy on my boat has the 138 and weighs 148lbs...and he flys. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by absoluteboarder on August 28, 2007)

Pick up a CWB Pure or Kink or Flame all are older 3 stage Absolute shapes and you can find them for good deals.

Austin, if you decide to go that route, I have an '05 Era 140 (the white one) that I would sell you. It's in good shape...no sliders....$125 + shipping. <BR> <BR>I will say that I agree with jason on this one...if you want to know if 3-stage is right for you, pick up an older Byerly or the previous Parks board...those things BUCK! The substance or premier/era will probably be an easier transition from your current ride. <BR> <BR>Good luck with whatever you decide.

Yeah, try a 2001-2003 Hyperlite Premier. It's hard to find a much better shape out there. I rode my 2001 for 4 years and had no reason to change until it broke.

FYI...the 04-05 Era is the same shape as 01-03 Premier.

05 is slightly different. i just stopped riding my 04 a couple of weeks ago and i picked up and 05. the 05 has raised rails that run the length of the channels of the board. only difference i notice when riding is that it isnt quiet as loose as my 04, but had i not ridden my 04 for so long then i probably wouldnt have noticed it. the 05 also has the cut outs. compared to a byerly the board is a little looser and the rocker isnt as abrubt. i think alot of continous rocker riders could get on the era without many problems

Are any of these boards better than another in chop? <BR> <BR>I really like the looks of the 2004 and 2005 Absolute Platinum 141's. <BR> <BR>Thanks for all of the advice on boards, I really appreciate it.

no mention of the Vandall's Gator? serious pop and prolly cheap

Ya the 04 and 05 Abs Plat's are sick!!

Any others that I should consider? I have tried to find many of these boards used but I can't get anyone to respond to my interest in the boards that they are selling. I am really sold on the 2004 or 2005 141 Absolute Platinum and everyone that I have contacted haven't responded. Any other ideas or anyone selling one of the above 3-stage boards? I am not looking for a board for its graphics but I don't want an ugly board, I like clean and simple board graphics. Help?

Not a platty but an 05 Absolute 141, price seems good as well. <BR> <BR><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-CWB-Absolute-141-Wakeboard_W0QQitemZ130148539999QQihZ003QQcategoryZ 114269QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/2005-CWB-Absolute-141-Wakeboard_W0QQitemZ130148539999QQihZ003QQcategoryZ 114269QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem</a>

After reading this thread and having a continuous rocker board Hyperlite TFD I opted to look for one of these cheap boards to try. I picked up a Gator board and wow what a difference. Thanks for the advise.

better listen to Jason