Wakeboard Rope and Handle Basics 101

I am new to wakeboarding and want to get a good rope and handle.

My kids do most of the riding so something with a smaller handle might be nice but not necessary because my oldest boy's hands are about as big as mine.

I searched the forum just enough to get confused....

I see there are all different kinds of handles ("T", "V", straight, carbon fiber, etc). I am not sure what the differences are but it seems like the "T" handles are the most popular??

I have learned that I want a non-stretch rope and probably something in sections so I can change the length (because I have no idea what will work best).

My kids are into skateboarding have really taken to this so I want to get something nice without costing an arm and a leg. I think they will be pretty aggressive and need something to help with tricks before too long.

Any way if someone can give me the breakdown on what the differences are and what I should look for would be great. And if you can add a place to find it would even be better. I considered just going to Scheels but thought I could find something better on-line??

Thanks

This rope has been recommended to me by many on this board. I have two and am very happy with them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/PROLINE-LG-Package-15%22-w%2FSK-Mainline-WAKEBOARD-ROPE_W0QQitemZ370058299236QQcmdZViewItem?IMSfp=TL0 806061539r6886

I just got the LG shown in the link above and really like it. Just remember that the handle doesn't float.

rope should say dyneema or spectra for the material, both for the handle rope and the main line

The LG deffinately is popular.
i am loving the ronix totem. have not felt anything softer yet. but there is no cheater (t or v grip) on it, which i don't use really anyway.

f.y.i.
if your handle does not float you can get some pipe insulation and make your own floats

T and V grip refers to the 'cheater' handle about 2 feet in front of the main handle. These are used for wrapped tricks, and really isn't necessary unless the rider is pretty advanced with a deep bag of tricks. 'Straight' just means there is no cheater handle, and 'carbon' has nothing to do with a cheater handle but refers to the actual handle bridle being made of a stiff carbon fiber material.

With that said, I use the LG rope/handle combo posted above and love it. Comfy handle and plenty of take-off sections on the mainline.

can somebody explain to me why anybody would want a handle that doesn't float? I bought a slalom handle/rope the other day and it sunk like a rock so I returned it immediately.

Thanks for the replies.

I don't understand a non-floating handle either??

Does the T, V or secondary handle get in the way if you don't use it? Any disadvantage to having it there if you are not using it (other than the up front cost)? I would rather not have to buy another handle with it in 6 months?

Is the base length of 60' too long to start with? I just installed a Monster wake board tower (haven't even tried it out yet) so I guess a longer rope would be needed if we are used to using the connection on the back cleat. I think we are only using about a 45' - 50' length now.

Thanks again!!

www.redtagsports.com

I know this is not the greatest handle in the world for wakeboarding. It does float and its less that $10 shipped. I couldn't pass it up.

Brandon, that's a waterski rope. It stretches. Why would you recommend that? He specifically asked for a good wakeboarding rope and handle.

I wasn't. I just stated it was a cheap rope that floated. I said it wasn't a great rope. I bought one just to have something cheap on the boat.

OK, I think I have it narrowed down to wanting a spectra rope with either a "T" handle or a "V" handle built in (probably a "V" handle). I also want the rope to have some removable sections.

Anyone know where I can find a good deal on a combo like this??

Thanks

GO HEAR! You will get the best deal around!

www.the-house.com

http://www.the-house.com/wakel.html

http://www.the-house.com/wkhaczgcml7zz-accurate-wakeboard-handle-with-mainlines.html

here's a nice package.
my friend has it and it is nice. I especially love the feel of the rope through my fingers as the boat brings the rope back to me

FJK what type of boat are you riding behind?

If you're behind an i/o or an outboard you may want beginners riding as short as 50 - 55' while experienced riders will usually be around 65 - 70'

If you're behind a tournament boat, or even a direct drive with a tower 60' should be a good length for beginners.

We have a 1999 210 Sea Ray open bow with a Monster MT2 tower.

I am not real sure how far they should be behind the boat as we haven't even had the boat out with the tower yet (we are in Iowa and have major flooding at the moment). Also, I am going to try to add some ballast to the boat and make a bigger wake. So I need to see how that works out.

Anyway, that was why I wanted the re-moveable sections on the rope.

I checked out the websites and seen some nice packages but it looked like most of them were SL lines and handles. Most people recommended the LF gear but I didn't see too much of that??

The Accurate package was very nice (that was recommended too) but probably a bit too much for my beginner riders??

How long can I expect a good rope and handle to last?

man just step up to the plate and buy a super fat rope. I mean come on, this is the thing that hold you to the boat and makes you wakeboard. This is how we get to feel the pull. In fact Buy two handles one of these for yourself, all good deals and good handles:
http://www.the-house.com/wklslidfwrg6zz-straightline-wakeboard-handles.html
or
http://www.the-house.com/wklsleb2os5zz-straightline-wakeboard-handles.html
or
http://www.the-house.com/wkslb2iddrg7zz-straight-line.html
If you want a wrap.

Depending how young you kids are buy this one, but I would'nt if there over 8.
http://www.the-house.com/wklsl13jmiyb5zz-straightline-wakeboard-handles.html

Buy this rope it’s soft on the hands as the rider gets picked up the rider and will last you 4 seasons, bring it in the house for the winter. The handle will last less depending on how much you ride. I wear one out a season.
http://www.the-house.com/wklslth83bl7zz-straightline-mainline.html

I hate to see people dwell over a rope just step up and buy a good set up.

man just step up to the plate and buy a super fat rope. I mean come on, this is the thing that hold you to the boat and makes you wakeboard. This is how we get to feel the pull. In fact Buy two handles one of these for yourself, all good deals and good handles:
http://www.the-house.com/wklslidfwrg6zz-straightline-wakeboard-handles.html
or
http://www.the-house.com/wklsleb2os5zz-straightline-wakeboard-handles.html
or
http://www.the-house.com/wkslb2iddrg7zz-straight-line.html
If you want a wrap.

Depending how young you kids are buy this one, but I would'nt if there over 8.
http://www.the-house.com/wklsl13jmiyb5zz-straightline-wakeboard-handles.html

Buy this rope it’s soft on the hands as the rider gets picked up the rider and will last you 4 seasons, bring it in the house for the winter. The handle will last less depending on how much you ride. I wear one out a season.
http://www.the-house.com/wklslth83bl7zz-straightline-mainline.html

I hate to see people dwell over a rope just step up and buy a good set up.

I just got the accurate podium handle and absolutely love it. Its got a memory foam core and EVA coating. I also have the Accurate A-Line also. I would recommend getting a longer rope because your kids will probably progress quickly, and end up wanting a longer one in the end. Buy them, you won't regret it.

Chris,

Where did you get your podium handle?

I am trying to get a very good set-up, something they will grow into instead of out of.

From the reviews I have read everyone seems to like the Accurate ropes and the LF handles. The SL rope wasn't recommended as highly BUT, that stuff is ALL over the on-line shops and I can't find a good combo of either Accurate or LF.

I am looking for Spectra line w/removable sections and a floating handle with either a "V" or "T" grip (probably a "V", it just looks more comfortable to hold on to??).

I want something that will go to at least 70' (or 75' with the handle).

Thanks

I got both my rope and handle from Evo Wake.
Podium Handle:
http://www.evogear.com/handles/accurate-podium-ars-wakeboard-handle-2008.aspx
A-Line 80ft:
http://www.evogear.com/ropes/accurate-80ft-a-line-wakeboard-rope-2008.aspx
You can also find the 2007 A-Line for sale here:
http://www.evogear.com/outlet/ropes/hyperlite-80ft-a-line-mainline-rope-2007.aspx

heres some
http://www.wakeside.com/category/wakeboard_gear/more_gear/wakeboard_handles_lines.do

go to your local pro shop and talk to the sales guys they will lead you in the direction that u want to go if you dont know what ur looking for i wouldnt recommend an online site unless you had been given sum direction

imo a handle is a handle and a rope is a rope but its all personal preference take your kids to the proshop and have them hold the handles and find whats comfortable to them

i have the proline delta and love it nice and wide and the grip is awesome rather pricy tho
http://www.buywake.com/catalog/detail/PR_q4Puj

and i have a stretch rope

just kiddin


i got the faction cable line which is a coated rope great on the hands
http://www.buywake.com/catalog/detail/PR_q4Puj

as far as the sections a good wakeboard rope will have them you will buy the length of rope that you want say 75 feet and they will have 5 foot increments that you can remove so dont worry about that man just get a rope thats around 70 or 75 feet and you will be fine and the handle will add an extra 5 feet
good luck in your search