Advice on wakeboard rope.

[redthumper9]

Like I said in an earlier thread, I have fallen in love with both wakesurfing (not ropeless yet) and wakeboarding. Can anyone recommend a wakeboard rope that wont break the bank? And what length do some of you run? I have a couple of ski ropes, but from what i read, the wake rope needs to have virtually no stretch. As a beginner, am I selling myself short or missing out on anything using a ski rope? Any insight would be appreciated. BTW.....Id like something really bright in color so that it is easier to see.

 

[itsdgm]

Here's one that I have had for a few seasons. It works pretty well for the money and is easy to spot in the water.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=380954732860

 

[itsdgm]

Edit to add that it also has a few removable sections to adjust the length.

 

[jetboater4life]

I recommend hardline. I purchased a hardline multi segment wakeboard rope about 8 or 9 years ago and it is as good now as it was new. I use it to ski and wakeboard. It is grey/red so not the easiest to see in the water (for me at least) but I'm sure there are other colors. It has a small T handle a couple of feet up from the main handle so you can set up for 720 mctwists.

I run the rope between 60 and 65 feet behind the boat. Having a forward swept or reverse swept tower makes a slight difference. Every season we tend to start at 60 and look to see where we are coming off the wave and then either add 5' or leave it.

The only con is that they are a little pricey. At least $100 if I recall.

 

[jetboater4life]

@itsdgm I have that airhead rope as a backup. I bought it 2 seasons ago intending it to be my new primary. My hardline handle got nicked by a friends prop boat so I figured I would get a new rope and use the hardline as a secondary. We used the airhead for about a season and a half. When I looked at the airhead rope this spring I noticed it is starting to fray on several sections, making me question it's safety. The material of the rope is not as strong as the hardline. The plastic sheathing was very easy to spot in the water. Now we are back to the hardline, with a slight nick in the handle which doesn't bother me.

 

[Woodr35]

We have an el-cheapo rope and one of those mack-daddy expensive ones (given to us) and I can't really tell the difference in terms of "pop". For perspective....I'd classify myself as "advanced beginner" (never have an issue starting, can surf and turn hard, frontside grinds, surface 180's but get wobbly riding switch) - all that without a tower! If you are a beginner suggest going cheap then if your skills improve and you start getting big air and/or need more pop then maybe upgrade. Oh, lately I've preferred a shorter rope length (~50ft?) as its the only way I stand a chance of clearing the wake.

 

[Ronnie]

I agree with Woodr35. Somehow I've ended up with more wakeboard and ski ropes/cables, from $15 to $150, than I know what to do with. I've used them all and can't tell the difference performance wise. It does hurt a lot less when a cheap one gets sucked up into the pump though. The segmented ropes are nice since you can dial in the length and the extra segments make good dock lines since they already have loops at both ends.

 

[redthumper9]

Thanks for the replies everyone. After doing some digging, it looks as if one of the ropes that I have is actually a proline wakeboard rope. I haven't measured it, but it looks to be around 60-65 ft. After some of the responses, it sounds like I dont need to change anything just yet.

 

[sysinu]

If you get an expensive PVC covered one, be careful of how you wind and unwind it. If you put twists in the line the PVC will snap and the shock of that snap on the rope inside usually causes it to break. Learned that the hard way. Now I coil my tow lines (and other ropes) with the over/under method.

 

[bobbie]

wakesurfing..ronix....wakeboarding...accurate lines

 

[spatty99]

I also have the Airhead spectra rope and like it. Relatively inexpensive for a no stretch rope.

 

[Julian]

If you get an expensive PVC covered one, be careful of how you wind and unwind it. If you put twists in the line the PVC will snap and the shock of that snap on the rope inside usually causes it to break. Learned that the hard way. Now I coil my tow lines (and other ropes) with the over/under method.

That is the proper way to coil up any long cord/rope/hose etc to avoid kinks, twists etc! One of the things I learned in the TV business (ok--actually learned it at Syracuse Univ.). Works great on all cables--but most especially on any long ones.

 

[4x15mph]

I asked the same question and bought the rope that @itsdgm recommended. My son improved a lot just with a switch to this rope. The weird part is that when I tried this I didn't get up after 3 tries and I have never missed before. I say it is the herneated disc and not the rope.