Board Advice

I am looking to purchase a new wakesurf board and would like some advice. I currently just have a O'Brien Alias 5'0". The only other boards I have ridden are the Hyperlite Broadcast 5'6" and the CWB Ride. I am just advancing in ability and would like a board that is good all-around; can cut, slash, get some good air, but also can spin fairly easily and do other surface tricks. My boat is a '07 Wakesetter VLX that I have about 3000 pounds of additional ballast, so I can get a very nice, long, clean wake. No one has ANY problems going ropeless on this wake! I am 5'11" 195 pounds. Right now, the top of my list are the Phase 5 Prop and the Inland Surfer Green Loogey. Are these good all around boards that can do just about everything? I'm sure someone with a lot of ability can get these to do anything; keep in mind that I am not a pro and want a board that I can use to LEARN to do these things. Should I just plan on using my Alias for more cuts & air and get a skim type board for surface tricks?

My budget for this new board is $500 max but would be more comfortable around $400.

(Message edited by kernaltao on November 24, 2008)

I would say the Phase 5 Prop and The green logey are great all around boards. I obviously have more experienced with the Phase 5. It is a greta board. Alot of people think it is way to loose because of the fin size. But once they ride it they usaully realize that it is a really fun board to ride. It will spin easy and still gets plenty of drive to do big airs and long floaters. The green loogey will be a little stiffer like a surfboard and won't be as loose. However I have rode one and they are a blast to ride as well. Takes a little more to spin them, but once you get it they are fun to ride.

Wow Drew, I never thought I'd see the day. Are you feeling OK? Cheers!

Carl - my wife rides the IS Green. It is kind of a cross between a skim style and surf style. The P5 is better if you want a skim style for surface/rotational tricks. The P5 probably matches up closer to the IS 4Skim... but I have now clue how those two compare.

Thanks for the input, Drew. Obviously, your opinion carries a lot of weight!

I was also looking at your board. Other than the materials used to create it, what major differences are there between it and the Prop? The descriptions of both seem quite similar except for the materials.

Daren - Thank you also for your input. It is certainly helpful and appreciated!

Well the materials have alot to do with it. The Texcelium (sp?) makes the board stiffer then regular eglass. This makes less flex in the board and allows it to carry more speed. The carbon is is another step in that same direction. It is alot stiffer then the eglass or tex and it made a huge difference in speed. The sizes look to be about the same as the prop however on my board the tail is a little wider and the nose it just barely puller in a little more. This gives the board a bigger planing surface and allows it to be alot faster and carries speed through tricks better. I hope this was some help for you.

Most definitely. Thanks, Drew. Now I am seriously considering your board. It's only about $100 more than the Prop!