I'm about to start building a kicker that will float out on the water. I have a couple of questions though. What is the best way to attach barrels to keep it afloat? Or are there better ways to float it? Also, what are some good materials to put on the top of it as the surface? Thanks for your time and any input given.

perma-board for the surface its a synthetic wood

I made one it has two 555 gallon drums one in front and one in back they actually are in the frame of the kicker and i just tied them in, the kicker will not come off of the drums especially if it is anchored down well. With the drum positioned the way i had them you could make the kicker less steep or more steep by filling which ever up with more water. The one thing i found was that no matter what at least fill them half each because it will make it much more solid when you hit it.

Heres the one we built: <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/218148.jpg" alt="">

Chris, that thing looks a little abrupt to hit at 20 mph. Does it launch you pretty smooth or is it like hitting a wall?

This was our ghetto wall kicker. Weve definetly learned from our mistakes. <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65919/218226.jpg" alt="">

No we thought it was going to be too abrupt but it turned out to be perfect.... tehre was an outlaw rider at me house one day we used it and he was getting sooo close to double frontrolls of it... he would like get teh scond rotation around and then land on his but with the board skidding out.... it was sweet!

Chris yours is cool with the ones on the side that is how mine is but with no drums of the sides. Nice job man.

I'm goig to try FRP this year. It is basically An 1/16 inch thick plastic sheet that comes in 8 foot by four foot pieces. I'm going to glue it to the top of the kicker. It should be smooth after that. I don't know how durable it will be.