a little help...

Hi all,

I am in the market for a new 2008 board. Right now I am riding a CWB. It is okay but I rode my friends hyperlite and it was lighter and had more pop. I think he bought it in 2006. Anyway I am a wake to wake rider and am 6' 180 lbs. I guess I am an "intermediate" in terms of skill.

I was looking at the PS3, Shane, and B-Side. I am looking for a poppy board that tracks well too. I believe the Watson has a ton of pop but doesn't track well? I was thinking the PS3 but I am curious if anyone has any suggestions???

Kyle,
I like where your heads at with the B-Side. I think if you are looking for a poppy board you should get on one of those. The B-side is a variation of the Premier, buts its on steriods. I used to ride a Premier and found that the B-Side is a stickier board with the center fins in. It does release really well off the wake.
I also wouldnt sell short the Premier. Yea, its a package board, but that was Danny Harfs promodel shape from 05-06-07. It was also what half the Hyperlite pro team rode last year. (Rathy before the Marek was out, Josh Palma all year, and Valdez rode it as well.)
Here is the B-Side from 08 on sale.
http://www.waterskis.com/Hyperlite-B-Side-Wakeboard-p/hyperlite_b_side_2008.htm
Here is that Premier setup that I was talking about as well -
http://www.waterskis.com/2008-Hyperlite-Premier-With-Focus-Bindings-p/hyperlite_premier_package_2008.htm

Lastly you size is going to be around a 141. I wouldn't go under a 139 or over a 143. Quick breakdown on bigger VS smaller - Bigger board = more pop. More pop = more air. More = . A smaller board is going be slightly lighter, a lighter board will have less swing weight, thus making it easier to spin the board. I personally ride a 143 and weigh 200 and wouldnt sacrafice the pop for more swing weight.

PM me if you have more specific questions.
Later,
John@waterskis.com
www.Waterskis.com

(Message edited by mnwakerider on December 19, 2008)

A friend of mine has the premier and I don't really like it that much. It's up to you, there are tons of cheap boards out there right now. I just got a 08 Recoil and Floyd bindings and I'm thinking about getting another board just to have something different. If you want pop, go Slingshot or Company. my .2

I have read about flex boards giving way more pop than traditional boards, but was a bit unsure about that. Is there a noticable difference for an intermediate rider, or is it more subtle than that?

New 2008? Get a new 2009!!!

What CWB board are you riding now? That will be a good place to start. What Hyperlite board did you ride? If we know where you are and what you liked then we can make some suggestions. It's not the brand that pops more, its the shape, let us know what you've ridden.

You've listed 4 of the most popular boards out there, so I'd say you are on the right track! Add CWB's Transcend and a Slingshot of your choosing and you've got a list of the top boards of '08. My buddy rides the Watson and recently hopped on my '09 Transcend, he took to it very quickly.

Ben, IMO flex has its place in the market. It can give you a little more pop but I think it takes an experienced rider to really get them to boost and use the spring of the flex. More pop, if done right, wouldn't call it way more.

im a fan of loose boards, i ride the lyman, my dad rides the watson and of course, i have ridden it. it has WAY more pop then the lyman and it had fairly soft landings, and i think the watson tracks like a tank with the center fin in. and with out the fin i like it more but its still a little to "locked in" for my riding style

i think the watson tracks great and breaks loose when i need it to. couldnt be happier with it, i switched from the cwb marius and havent looked back (not that the marius wasnt great, just love the watson more!)

also a week after i got the watson i landed my first ts fs 3...giving it more bonus points

Slingshot and Company have featureless bottoms. When i was first investigating slingshot the idea of a featureless bottom worried me slightly, especially when coming from a 2004 byerly ("can-opener byerly") If you have ever ridden that board, it has one of the most locked in feel of all boards (that i have ridden)...
Anyway, it turned out that the slingshot boards were not as slippery as i had imagined and actually made the ride more fun.

Humanoid Wake will be releasing product soon, and will have flexboards, made like slingshot and company too BUT WITH Channeling... or so i have heard. they should be revealing more at the end of this year/ beginning of next year.

Other than another slingshot recommendation (a must try), I might throw out an idea to look at the new Byerly Assault too, looks like it'd be good on tracking. (never ridden it by the way)
http://thewakeplace.com/videos/EXPOByerly.html
http://thewakeplace.com/videos/Rathy_Byerly.html

Thanks a lot for the input guys!!! I am looking for an 08 becuase they are much cheaper right now. (i am a college kid with a limited budget.

Anyway thanks a lot for the info and keep it coming!

My first post!!! and won't be my last!

kyle, if you're on a budget, call ultimate watersports in rocklin tomorrow and ask for anthony. they're blowing out 2008 gear at liquidation prices. we're talkin' (at least) 50% off!

and i recommend an lf shane. sick board! so sick, i'm trying to get another for back up!

i think this is the number.

(916) 635-2628

The new ennen also is a flex board with channels. I'm interested alot in this board.

I'm not sure if the number Joe posted will get to me, but I know the 916-630-8800 will. Call me and I'll see what we have left. We are selling things fast at the prices we have boards and bindings at.

Not calling Mike Ennen out here but I was just watching a video of him riding on Alliance and he was riding the 09 Watson. Uh doesn't he have his own board? I've seen him ride the Watson last year even though he had his own press as well. Just seems weird. I really like Mike. He was nice when I meet him at Worlds. Just curious why he doesn't ride his own board behind the boat. Maybe its not out yet. Sorry I didn't mean jack your thread Kyle.

The trip series from liquidforce got some good pop bro. 6'?
a 136 will give you wings dude.
Great board, I was riding a 132liquid force fish this board is super wide with a nice rocker, the trip is very similar but much lighter.
Pura Vida from Lake Arenal, Costa Rica http://paradise-adventures-costa-rica.com/

Thanks again guys! oh my current board is a 141cm cwb pure. I bought it in 2004 or 2005 i believe. It is my first board! Anyway i am looking to get a board right after christmas (as soon as i get some christmas cash)!!!

I found a B side for $200, shane for $210 and a Watson for $230!!!
Which to buy??? hahahah