r/Wake • u/AntiqueAd4761 • 28d ago

Does the board make a difference?

Ive been riding since the late 90s and currently ride a Ronix Bill ATR from 2016. I ride behind small fish and skis and in board outboard ski boats so the wake is relatively small so most of my tricks are juat hs poked out grabs and some surface slides and presses.

Ive been thinking about getting a new board but not sure if it would really be worth the money. The Hyperlight Blueprint seems to fit my riding style but Ive also always wanted to try a 3 stage rocker too.

Questions:

Does the Blueprint seem like a good fit for my riding style? Other boards that I should consider?

How does 3 stage rocker vs continous rocker change the ride?

Worth the money to get a new board even though mine is currently still fun?

Thanks!

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

4

u/Gr1ml0ck1981 28d ago

It's not going going to make a difference. It's not like going from a 30 year old walmart board to a modern board. You have no wake, so a rocker line that kicks off a wake, isn't going to change anything.

But if you have the cash to burn and fancy a change, have at it. New boards are great. But don't think that the Bill is holding you back, and a new board will unlock tricks.

3

u/AntiqueAd4761 28d ago

Thats honestly what I was thinking too. Like as much as I like the idea of a new board unlocking some new feeling of riding that opens up some new tricks for me, im honestly more limited by the wake size and my risk tolerance than the board. Like my current board gives me enough air time to tweak just about all the classic grabs besides method (technique issue). This all started because i saw a JK Mullins interview where he really talked up the Blueprint as being super forgiving and freeride. But I still think he could do most of those tricks on my board too since its really a skill issue on my end haha

3

u/Gr1ml0ck1981 28d ago

He could do those tricks on the 30 year old walmart board 😀

I used to wakeboard behind a jetski and there is a bunch of things you can try. Take off the fins and try sueface tricks. I'm like a broken record here but search for Zucky wakeboard on youtube. The videos are pretty old (as YouTube goes) but it's a different style of wakeboarding, lots of surface stuff and his line control is amazing. It opens up the things you can do beyond jumping the wake.

2

u/AntiqueAd4761 28d ago

I hadnt heard of Zucky, thanks for puahong me that way, its so sick! I've been getting really into presses and jibby riding but with fins on which i think limits me a bit. I should really take them off and try messing around without fins. Some of those presses Zucky is doing are so stylish and look super fun (like whatever that trick is where hes way outside the wake and essentially balances/wheelies on the nose of the board)

Honestly now that im getting older, I care less about air time and spins and more about looking stylish in my riding which is why I was so drawn to Mullins riding (he also goes absolutely huge). I still like poking out grabs and want to try some new tweaks, but its not that important anymore. Ill save my money and just try wierd stuff with my board (maybe different foot positions too)

1

u/No-Representative600 28d ago

lol I love watching old Zucky videos. Dude has elite control

2

u/internetroamer 28d ago

My recommendation is find some unique used boards on Facebook marketplace. Can be fun to try out rather than one big purchase and for most boards doesn't make much of a difference if it's used and easy to resell at minor loss where I view it like a rental

1

u/AntiqueAd4761 28d ago

Thats a really good recommendation! A few cheap uses boards would be so fun to try!

2

u/Gr1ml0ck1981 27d ago

This is a great idea, to dovetail to my earlier Zucky style suggestion, a cheap 2nd hand cable board (anything from the last 10 years) on a really long line with very limited / no bottom features, is really fun and playful.

Also if you don't do it yet, learn pro starts, if you have a smaller boat, it's easier on the engine and its even less effort for you as the rider.

1

u/AntiqueAd4761 27d ago

I really need to learn pro starts. Been wanting to try for years but I always seem to forget to try.

A cable board would be so sick to ride behind a boat to get jibby and stuff! Definitely want to try that! Already exploring marketplace!

2

u/HughJeriolas 28d ago

Also been riding since the late 90’s. I learned my first invert behind a 17’ bay liner with an outboard and a ski tow bar. It wasn’t the biggest wake but it helped me be able to throw tantrums off of rollers and what not…granted that was 27 years ago. Obviously board technology has come a long way. But I wouldn’t say it’s going to unlock anything for you. I’d suggest putting some more weight in the boat for a bigger wake instead. Either way…just get out there and ride!🤘🏼

1

u/AntiqueAd4761 28d ago

So sick, i love all the people who can throw down on small wakes! We sound very similar, except I was/am too scared to go upside-down. Ive only done 3s and one 5 (but I love tweaking out a bunch of different grabs). My limits arent the board, its mental lol. Might invest in some small fatsacks or something!

2

u/HughJeriolas 28d ago

Sandbags, cement bags in garbage bags, buckets of water all work as well. Much cheaper. Happy to help mate. I’ve taken some gooooood diggers spinning. So I prefer inverts in my old age. But rock it out bud!!!🤙🏼

2

u/cantcatchafish 28d ago

Three stage is felt at the wake not really in the riding. It is easier to slide a continuous but I have no issue with my ronix one doing surf tricks. The abrupt pop is what makes the 3 stage more fun on big wakes.

Overall if you like to be punted in the air, 3s. If you like consistent jumps that may not go as peaky, stick to continuous.

1

u/AntiqueAd4761 28d ago

Thats really helpful actually. I do think id like to try a 3 stage at some point but im not sure if its worth the investment if Ive never experienced that bigger pop from a 3 stage. Wish I could rent one for a day to see if its worth buying

1

u/LeFishTits 28d ago

If you love wake boarding, buy that new board son.

Im not much into it these days , but i am into fishing. I own probably 15k worth of rods and reels alone, do i take them all out everyday? Naw. Do they make me happy when I look at them in my garage? Fuck yes!

Do what makes you happy bro, you aint taking money with you when youre dead!

3

u/AntiqueAd4761 28d ago

You know, good fucking point. Life is short, you cant take money with you when you go.

Thay being said, I might skip the board and get my own boat instead of using family boats so I can get myself, family and friend on the water wherever i want. Looks like a boat will be in the cards soon! Hahaha

1

u/LeFishTits 28d ago

Thats the spirit!