time for a new Wakesurf board...

[FacePlant]

I posted this in the Wakesurf section as well, but figured it would get more looks in here. I am currently riding a 2007 Inland Surfer Yellow Loogie. While I love the board and it is very stable, I think I need something a little longer/faster. The loogie is only 4'6" and rated to only 190lbs. I weigh about 200lbs. I was looking at the Ronix Koal (5'6") as a possible addition and wondered if anyone has any experience with it. I would consider myself at least an intermediate level rider and I have problems surfing without a rope due to what I imagine are 2 things:

1. Not enough ballast ( I have factory ballast in my 24Ve + 1000lb L sack on top of the rear/side seats.

2. Too short of a board for my size/weight

Any input is much appreciated!!

Oh, and here is a link to the Ronix I am looking at...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ronix-Koal-5...item2314d0e9ab

[Timmy!]

Don't go with a Wakeboard mfr surf board. Go with a real wakesurfer. Look for Lakewakes, Inland Surfer, Triple X, Walker Project, Phase 5 or Soulcraft (or some others that I have missed). All should be available on eBay or from the mfr's site, your local dealer or wakeoutlaws.com. What style of riding do you like to do? Surf or Skim or both? That will help with the others that will chime in.

[FacePlant]

Don't go with a Wakeboard mfr surf board. Go with a real wakesurfer. Look for Lakewakes, Inland Surfer, Triple X, Walker Project, Phase 5 or Soulcraft (or some others that I have missed). All should be available on eBay or from the mfr's site, your local dealer or wakeoutlaws.com. What style of riding do you like to do? Surf or Skim or both? That will help with the others that will chime in.

Never skimboarded, but wouldn't mind trying it in the future. I would probably want to buy a dedicated skim board for that tho right? I hear what you are saying about buying a mfg board, but Ronix stuff has always impressed me. that siad, I have no experience with their wakesurf boards. I love the soulcraft boards and IS as well, but they are about twice the price. I don't mind spending more tho if the ride is that much better. I think I paid around $350 for my IS back in 2008, and now it looks like IS boards are $600+. As far as length, do you agree that I should go longer assuming I primarily surf?

[jbort]

I agree w Timmy - uppper tier wakesurf or skim is way to go since you want to get to next level and wakeboard mfr boards are not very good for that. I'm partial to surf style too.The reality here is that mass produced boards (thus cheaper)but lack the surfing qualities of hand built wakesurf boards which is the trade-off because they are done one-at-a-time thats more labor intensive thus more money. Sometimes you can find demo boards that are marked down but in "new" condition. We like Lakewakes alot because he makes real good quality boards amidst some new designs this yr and he might have some boards in demo status from last yr. Shoot an email or give a call. I surf Walker Project Bazooka 5.1 but am bigger guy at 250 but I like that board alot. I think you are correct that bit longer board is better for you say 48-52 inches but depends on overall board design too. My buddy has Walker Bazooka 5.1 and he's 210 and loves the board but it was kinda pricey. More ballast always helps and u can check w Chpthril for more info on improvements. we upgraded w 1100 custom sac that did wonders for our 22 Ve but your boat is bigger and needs more weight to get bigger wave for more push. good luck

[robert theisen]

Faceplant you are welcome to try my Hyperlite Broadcast or Liquid Force Venture.We have had people 215 lbs to 225lbs surf on them.It sounds like you have plenty of ballast for your boat.

[duffymahoney]

Shred stixx ja mako is the best big guy board I have ever rode. I'm sure there are other good ones, but I can even get decent air on it. My bigger buddies rip on it. The board is just so fast down the line and slashing is tons of fun on it. They stopped making a production version but you can find them used or they sell it as a hand made one now.

[hyphen79]

Faceplant you are welcome to try my Hyperlite Broadcast or Liquid Force Venture.We have had people 215 lbs to 225lbs surf on them.It sounds like you have plenty of ballast for your boat.

Faceplant, I have the Liquid Force Venture and a Grindwater Mauka, both are 5'6". I learned on the Venture, and for a manufactured board it does well enough for me (5'11 at 230#s). My Mauka is a GREAT board, but I wish I would have gone with the Shaka as it's smaller.

Now, you will probably have a hard time finding these boards as Mike Shapiro has landed himself in a world of hurt for being a pill pusher. HAHA!

Regardless, I liked his boards as they were a nice alternative to the one off boards you get from the soulcraft, wakelakes, or the other custom builders. My Mauka is shaped and built similarly to a board that soulcraft makes (let the soulcraft fan boys beat up me for that. ). If you can find one of these boards I would suggest giving them a once over. You can probably get one cheap. I am even thinking about selling my Shaka and getting a triple x board.... Not sure what I am going to do just yet.

[FacePlant]

Thanks for the replies guys. Robert, I may take you up on that offer once it gets warmer. I would like to ride a longer board to see how it handles before buying one. Is it May yet???

[Timmy!]

I ride the 07.5 yellow loogie as my primary board and the broadcast/ride/etc are total crap compared to it. I have the 07.5 yellow, a CWB Ride, a Ronix Cortez and a Phase 5 and the yellow is the funnest board out of all of those to me and I was 195 last summer.

[tnvolgrad]

I have both the 5 foot Koal and 4.8 Cortez boards by Ronix. A couple of comments on the Koal - I am 5'10/205 and find that the 5.0 Koal is plenty big enough. The board is super fast down the line. I have had people run up on the back of the platform of my/other peoples boats - point being it really catches you off guard if you are not used to it or are beginner rider.

I think the 5.6 board may be too big for your size and you will loose the nimbleness of a smaller board. The only down side to this board is that it is extremely fragile.

Just my thoughts - there are lots of other great boards, but I paid $300 for it new/on-sale and have struggled with spending $500+ on another board that has the same features and benefits for my skill set.

For a point of reference see the youtube video below - this is a 2008 RZ2 with 1100 pounds rear, 380 tube sac, and 400 lbs upfront (couple 2-3 people in the boat). We can surf a good 15-20 feet behind the boat as you can see from the video. For a 24 footer you need tons of ballast to weight it down.

[/QUOTE]

[FacePlant]

I ride the 07.5 yellow loogie as my primary board and the broadcast/ride/etc are total crap compared to it. I have the 07.5 yellow, a CWB Ride, a Ronix Cortez and a Phase 5 and the yellow is the funnest board out of all of those to me and I was 195 last summer.

Interesting. The 07.5 is my current board and I thought it would be "outdated" by now, haha. Again, I LOVE the board, I just figured a longer board might help with the push.

I have both the 5 foot Koal and 4.8 Cortez boards by Ronix. A couple of comments on the Koal - I am 5'10/205 and find that the 5.0 Koal is plenty big enough. The board is super fast down the line. I have had people run up on the back of the platform of my/other peoples boats - point being it really catches you off guard if you are not used to it or are beginner rider.

I think the 5.6 board may be too big for your size and you will loose the nimbleness of a smaller board. The only down side to this board is that it is extremely fragile.

Yeah, the more I look, the more I think the 5'6" might be a little long for me. Thinking maybe a 5' is the way to go.....

[lancehon]

I like the rosa parks in the background

[tnvolgrad]

I like the rosa parks in the background

That's what happens when you turn the DJ controls over to just anybody - no telling what will be blairing when you are trying to roll tape -

[Timmy!]

Interesting. The 07.5 is my current board and I thought it would be "outdated" by now, haha. Again, I LOVE the board, I just figured a longer board might help with the push.

Yeah, we are definitely at the top of the weight range for the board. I can tell a difference by the end of the summer, I usually fatten up over the winter and then by the end of summer I am down 10-15 lbs and the board is a lot faster. I've never ridden the Koal but I have ridden other real surfboards and the Loogey is a decent board but at our weight you won't be able to do aerials on it unless you are a real pro. I rode skippabcool's Lakewakes board and was impressed with it and I also rode a Walker project that made the Yellow feel like it was in reverse, couldn't believe how fast it was. Save up your money and get a real board, don't spend it on the Ronix. Watch eBay and Wakeoutlaws or the classifieds on Wakeworld and you'll probably stumble upon a good used board that will help you progress.

[Wakeman22]

Here is my two cents. I learned on a broadcast. Got me up and going but I did not ride it too long. I then went to an Inland surfer I believe big blue. Love it. Much better than the broadcast. Fast and stable. I then went a bought the Koal 5,1. To me it is not as fast and kind of short and squirely. I liked the fish tail thats why I got it. Paid only $200.00 on ebay. It is fragile but light. I am the same size as you.

Like others have said. Go with a surfboard maker and shop around. If you get the chance ride someone elses and see if you like it. I have heard good things on some of the ones others here have suggested.