Re: Wakeboard Ropes... Is there a difference?

can some of you please give me some insight? I'm new to boarding and just purchased my first boat. I purchased a rope that says it's for wakeboarding but it is the big nylon rope with a decent handle. I'm still trying to go wake to wake and I keep landing on top of the wake. Will I notice much of a difference if I buy the more expensive "true" wakeboard ropes? Also, Can you mix a large nylon rope and handle with the smaller wakeboard ropes? Or does that just defeat the purpose? Thanks for the help...

A good non stretch wakeboard specific line is well worth the investment. Stretchy ropes throw you off axis in the air. Don't mix a cheap nylon rope with a good rope.

-Steve

P.S. Best ropes in my opinion:
Inexpensive: Bullet lines
Best hands down: A-Line

Yellow Jacket's are great. Do not knot up last a long time.

(Message edited by deltahoosier on August 12, 2006)

Rope makes a big difference.

You want a spectra line rope - the big thick ropes suck because they bungiee back and forth. The Spectra is the really small (diameter) rope that costs about $90 itself. Also, get one with the nylon coating. Makes a world of diff when the rope is sliding through your hands.

If you're just begining, using the handle you already have is fine. It's not going to stretch much at all. And for just starting, money spent on other things (bindings/boards/etc/gas) is better spent than buying a handle. Once you advance and you feel that the handle is limiting you, then it's time to buy a handle.

http://www.bulletskilines.com/ <- these guys carry the nylon coated spectra for like $59.. There site is down right now, hopefully it comes back up.

Mike, once you board with a good wakeboard rope, you will never be able to board with a crappy one again. Its like the handling difference between a chevy wagon and a porsche.

Thank you everyone for your insight! It looks like I will be buying a new rope soon....

Correction:

http://www.bulletlines.com/servlet/StoreFront