been reading about rope length. I have a ?

My son and I are pretty green at wakeboarding. We love it though. We have been riding a LF Omega with a 20.5 Rinker Captiva, going about 15-18 MPH and about 30'-35' of rope. I have seen a lot on here about 60'-75' of rope. What are the pros (if any) and cons of this shorter length we've been riding? We haven't landed a lot of jumps. I'm an ol' snowboard vet, and I feel I should be doing a fuzz better than I'm doing, but I know I'm new and this ain't snowboarding.

(Message edited by waterlog on August 17, 2006)

you should probably ride like a 60 foot line and try having your speed at like 20 or 21 mph}}

55' is about the min you want to ride, average is around 70'-80' and some but few ride at 90'.

18-23mph depending on the boat to make the wake a nice shape and not washy.

and if you havent already a nice wakeboard specific non stretch rope and handle will be nice.

what kevin said

what kevin said, added in more detail to what chase said. Basically speed the boat up to see how big the wake can get the furthest back, let the rope out to that point and start riding.

Thanks guys. I'll play around with it. Do you think it's harder to ride the shorter rope? I guess I'm asking if that is why we are having troubles landing jumps, or prolly cause we're rooks?

Yes it's harder, the wake isn't shaped properly at 30-35'. Get a nice spectra line (the shoestring rope) It'll set you back about $80-90. For wakeboarding you *DON'T* want anything else. Also, 60-80' is measured from the tower, so if you're pulling from the transom, take ~10' off that length. A 60' length of spectra might be too long for a beginer if you're pulling from the transom.

http://www.bulletlines.com/servlet/the-30/spectra-wakeboard-rope%2C-wakeboard/Detail <- this is a really good price.

also at 30-35 feet your getting alot of turbulence in the water from the boat and prop. and space you have to cut out and ride around is very limited. riding a bit longer like maybe 55-60 feet will give you more time to cut and prepare to jump.

First off, the speed of the boat determines the shape of the wake. Getting your speed up, to 18 -24 mph, will allow the boat to plain and will clean up your wake making it not so washed out. Second, your line length at that speed will determine how far you travel while in the air. If you're novice, a 60' line will allow you to learn the basics of leaving the wake and landing on the down slope. As you advance and get more aggressive, you will naturally lengthen the rope, allowing you to have more time in the air for all those sick grabs and inverts! Good luck!

Steven,
Should your boat speed be a factor in your "air time"? I'm riding 65ft out at 21mph. I want to get more time in the air, should I lengthen the rope AND push my mph (if the wake is still good?)

Ronia,

Lengthening the rope will give you more hangtime, as it creates a lot more room for movement (the pendulum can swing further). If you want more time, lengthen the rope, but the side effect is that you have to speed up, as the wake will only stop washing at higher speeds. Also, the wake will be smaller the faster you go. If you are doing 65 right now @ 21, try 70 @ 23, it might do you a lot of good. I recently went from 70 @ 22.7 to 80 @ 24, and it makes a world of difference. I have so much hang time that I feel like lyman. But I don't look like em!!

Thanks Garret ... I'll try to lengthen and if the wake is washed, then I'll bump the speed as well.

the wake will be smaller the faster you go but it will also be harder. this will end up giving you more pop than a bigger softer wake

O.k. I lengthened the rope and bumped the speed up to 20- 25 mph and trimmed up to 1/4. Nice wake I noticed my air was a little higher in the air and I definatly flew farther. I got to take a buddy out that hasn't been with me yet and he was skyin', did some sweet grabs and almost landed two flips. I'm stoked.

Ronia, Garret's right on the money. I'd try 70 at 23 Mph. Let us now how it works out.

Yikes, I'll try it but it sounds so much more faster and scarier.... I guess I'll just get use to it. I'll let you know how it goes.

It's 2 MPH more! Sack up!