Gear & what you guys are using out there?

[maximus2003]

Just wanted to see what everyone is using out there for vest, ropes, handles, and any of the other fringe gear. Any opinons about a particular vest or vests that you guys think are woth mentioning? I was looking at the Helium SWAT vests. What do you guys think about them? What about as far as ropes go? Who's go some input on the pros & cons of the different brands out there? It's november now, so I figure over the next six months, while I wait for spring, you guys will be able to provide me with lots of insight.

[mtnsmith]

Being in Canada it might not matter but I had to make sure I got a coast guard certified vest because that is required to ride on the saltwater here, which I usually do. I have several friends that ride on freshwater that really like the jet pilot vests as well, side entry vests are nice, most of them just aren't uscg certified. We have a straightline amoeba handle and u-line mainline, which is dyneema, one of several no stretch line materials. We really like the handle, it is very nice on the hands but provides great grip. We have a straightline eva launch as a back-up handle on an accurate spectra braided line.

[Original Wing Nut]

I have two different lines that are different brands, not sure which, but they are very thin and shrink wrapped or coated with vinyl. Love them and get lots of compliments, they coil easy and don't kink or knot. I also have different carbon fiber handles, one is a straitline the other is a accurate, don't know the models. The grip on both is excellent. I got no skill so I buy equipment to make up for my lack in ability. It has to help, right? I am a big guy XL at least and for me the oniel reg neopreme vest works great, good fit and it is capable of more movement than I am. My favorite riding accessory is the Boost dry suit from Oniel. I got at least six more days this year on the water with the dry suit than I would have had without it. It snowed 6" on March 10th and we were on the water the 15th it was a great spring for me.

[illiniboarder88]

I love my Jet Pilot Stance side entry vest. It's USCGA, and it's real comfortable. It's also held up real well over a couple years of use. I personally am a big proponent of approved vests. I wouldn't consistently ride in a nonapproved one. I've taken a couple head shots and have been happy that I was floating when I came to (does anyone here wear helmets? I've been unable to get myself to do it, but sometimes I wonder if I should). I know, I'm going to sound like a complete pansy, but it's just my opinion. I took a nasty spill trying a tumbleturn on 4th of July, and I was only wearing my barefoot suit. I gave myself a pretty bad MCL sprain, and I couldn't kick with one leg to stay up. I'm a pretty good swimmer, and I was shocked at how much effort it took to stay up.

As for handles, and lines, I've been using a straightline carbon fiber handle with a spectra line. I'm not quite sure why everyone loves the carbonfiber handles so much. It's "ok," but I think I'd prefer something else. I've hit myself with it, the boat with it, and my board with it, and it always seems to win while damaging me, the boat, or my board. For barefooting, I love a 100 foot line with a 15" handle. It makes all the difference in the world for me.

Another key piece of gear for me is my barefoot suit. I have a "Gladiator Pro" suit from Overtons. It was pretty cheap, and I've loved it. It fits great and offers great protection. The padding around the ribs is fantastic, and I'm confident it has saved my a$$ a few times. My only complaint about it is that it lacks much in the way of flotation below the waist. I can't float real well with my legs out in front of me, but that may be because I'm pretty tall. I went with sleeves on mine. When I learned to barefoot I had terible technique and drug behind the boat forever. I wore a friend's sleeveless suit, and this lead to me having giant purple and black bruises that covered my shoulders and upper back. The sleeves are a pain to get on and off, but they don't seem to limit mobility and I've never had a back or shoulder bruise since getting it. That being said, now that I'm more experienced I'd like to try a sleeveless one.

[bowdoc]

We use Jet Pilot A-10 vest, love the side entry with zipper and low profile. Also like the way it makes this 47 year old look lean and mean, Now if I had a head full of hair I would be all in with the bikini crowd. We also use Straight line rope and handle and all Hyperlite boards.

[maximus2003]

I love my Jet Pilot Stance side entry vest. It's USCGA, and it's real comfortable. It's also held up real well over a couple years of use. I personally am a big proponent of approved vests. I wouldn't consistently ride in a nonapproved one. I've taken a couple head shots and have been happy that I was floating when I came to (does anyone here wear helmets? I've been unable to get myself to do it, but sometimes I wonder if I should). I know, I'm going to sound like a complete pansy, but it's just my opinion. I took a nasty spill trying a tumbleturn on 4th of July, and I was only wearing my barefoot suit. I gave myself a pretty bad MCL sprain, and I couldn't kick with one leg to stay up. I'm a pretty good swimmer, and I was shocked at how much effort it took to stay up.

As for handles, and lines, I've been using a straightline carbon fiber handle with a spectra line. I'm not quite sure why everyone loves the carbonfiber handles so much. It's "ok," but I think I'd prefer something else. I've hit myself with it, the boat with it, and my board with it, and it always seems to win while damaging me, the boat, or my board. For barefooting, I love a 100 foot line with a 15" handle. It makes all the difference in the world for me.

Another key piece of gear for me is my barefoot suit. I have a "Gladiator Pro" suit from Overtons. It was pretty cheap, and I've loved it. It fits great and offers great protection. The padding around the ribs is fantastic, and I'm confident it has saved my a$$ a few times. My only complaint about it is that it lacks much in the way of flotation below the waist. I can't float real well with my legs out in front of me, but that may be because I'm pretty tall. I went with sleeves on mine. When I learned to barefoot I had terible technique and drug behind the boat forever. I wore a friend's sleeveless suit, and this lead to me having giant purple and black bruises that covered my shoulders and upper back. The sleeves are a pain to get on and off, but they don't seem to limit mobility and I've never had a back or shoulder bruise since getting it. That being said, now that I'm more experienced I'd like to try a sleeveless one.

I know too well the story of USCGA or CCGA approved vests. I think it was with concussion number four that I found myself floating face down in the water. Only because the driver reacted quickly and my vest kept me a float am I here. This was 14 years ago in the days of skurfers & the first wakeboards, before boot bindings were on the boards. My front foot came out while I was in the air and the board got my right above my eye. Twenty-something stitches & a concussion later, I was glad I was wearing my vest. Also makes me think about going to a helmet as well. I don't wear one as of right now, but with the new boat & bigger wake than I'm used to, it would probably be a good idea. I just can't find one that fits my tiny pin head. Do they make helmets to fit a size 7 head. It's hard enough for me just to find a ball cap that fits.

One thing that really sucks for us here in Canada, is the price of our gear. Typically on any rope, handle, vest. etc., we have to pay twice what you guys do. Even with our dollar being worth more right now. A 100' no-stretch, coated line goes for about $150.00 Cdn. I see them on US websites & ebay for like $45 - $55 Usd. You have to love the Canadian tax system. NOT!

[Ks]

Maximus- you have a PM.

[maximus2003]

Maximus- you have a PM.

A PM?