Useing wakeboards for kiting

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

So I'm currently looking into getting a new board that i can use for both wakboarding and kiting. Since I will be useing the wakeboarding for probably around 70% i'm probably going to get a wakeboard (probably a liquid force shane promodel in the 140 length) The shane does have a quad fin format which is something that i have been looking for. The dilemma in using a wakeboard is the bolt pattern, which is straight the whole way across, while a kitboard doesn't. I'd probaly get two sets of bindings for the board (probably the union binding forwakeboarding and a footstrap set for kiting). My problem in this is that i'm not completely sure that I would be able to attach footstraps to a wakeboard at the right angle. So if anybody has had any experience using a wakboard for kiting or attaching footstraps to a wakeboard, or even still if buying a wakeboard to use for kiting is a complete mistake all together please let me know.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

You need to pick up a Slingshot Wakeboard

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

www.slingshotwake.com

they are the future of wakeboards, A couple of videos

http://www.slingshotwake.com/2007/WhatWereAllAbout.cfm

http://www.slingshotwake.com/2007/Riding.cfm

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu May 31, 07 2:05 pm

Dude, they are designed for two very different things. Just buy a used kiteboard and save yourself allot of trouble and grief.

Smile

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

You could also consider some of the Liquid Force kiteboards such as Mission or Element since they're wake style boards, but I'm not sure how close to a real wakeboard they feel behind a boat.

Of course you'll probably enjoy each sport more with a dedicated board.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

their are plate style straps that should work maybee the hein nsi ones.

zoobies · Since 21 Aug 2005 5 Posts New Member

Drock,

I wakeboarded for years and just started kiting last season. I've been using a 141 hyperlight premier to kite with and you can make it work.

But after trying number of different kite boards there is really no comparison. Kite boards hold an edge way better and make it much easier to slice upwind.

If you are looking for a nice used wakeboard I have one I'll sell for a good deal..

Mr.Onepump · Since 11 Sep 2006 66 Posts Albany

I second zoobies comment. I kited with a 142 hyperlite wakeboard for about a year, in bindings and it workd. But there is so much rocker on wakeboards especialy most new ones, they just aren't as efficient as a modern kiteboard. I can go upwind so much faster on my 125 litewave then I could on the hyperlite and I don't hafta be as powered, plus it's lighter.
Those new slingshot wakeboards look sick though!!

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Well, Blake and I have used wakeboards since we started kiting( still have a couple)....and all posts are right....YES, its harder to drive upwind due to the rocker.....but, if you are willing to work a little harder, then they can/ and will perform...it just depends on how you ride....and what you are looking for.. Coming from a wakeboard background....it feels pretty cool and fun to ride a wakeboard, especially in transitions and downwinders. But they might annoy-or not perform for everyone.

As far as going downwind or landing super lit.....the rocker and channels/rails of a wakeboard could acutally help a bit....Try a super long downwinder on a small flat-bottom twin-tip kiteboard and your back-leg will feel like there is a propane torch on it......use a board with a more aggresive rocker in a bigger size, and you might like it some more...

I do agree, there are some companies that make kiteboards with a wakestyle feel...they almost look just like wakeboards, just with less rocker.. So, if you have the money...buy a wakestyle kiteboard... otherwise, you can "make-due" with a wakeboard, but depends on how you ride and how often.. Very Happy

MIXWELL · Fri Jun 01, 07 9:36 am

I've been riding a Liquid Force trip 138 6fin with luxury straps and i think the board rides alot easier on my body. I LOVE IT! Cuts up wind, great for down wind, and only set me back $200 with a pair of LF ultra suction bindings included!

scottm · Since 12 Jun 2006 108 Posts Stoked

I rode a wakeboard (LF Trip) for kiting for a couple years, and tried a few others (Parks, Murray, Premier). You want a wakeboard with as little rocker as possible for kiting - the Trip was the best I tried, and I ended up drilling holes to mount normal fins on the heelside edge. Boards with a lot of rocker are slow and suck for going upwind. Some of the Liquid Force wakestyle kiteboards might work well too, if you get some small fins for using behind the boat (or run finless).

You could just use the Union bindings for both - I ran Ultra Suctions - but catching an edge kiting is a lot more painful in bindings than on straps.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

Yea, since i'll be using the board for wakeboarding at least 70% of the time and money is an issue a wakeboard would be a better bang for my buck. Thanks a ton for all of the advice though.

kitekid · Since 15 Apr 2007 170 Posts Stoked

hey man get a myply i ride a 129/39 and i paid 150 for it and i can go out in lighter winds then every one else and i can hold just as much down i can do tricks with it to so get you wake board and get a myply for 150

http://myplykiteboards.com/2007.html[url][/url]

kitekid · Since 15 Apr 2007 170 Posts Stoked

http://myplykiteboards.com/2007.html

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

Make your own, search the zero prestige guys, they have been at it as well as a few on the forum, Search here too.

And yeah, the slingshot wakeboards are for wakeboarding, I would not recommends any wakeboard for kiting, figure out how to get the money, The sport is a drug and you need to be able to pay for your fixes Shocked

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated