depends how much rocker your board has. Anything from a 137 Liquid force influence to a 140 cab custom would suit. enjoy

the reason you get a larger board isnt just because you ride boots,
usually if your riding boots you want a board stronger and with more rocker, the more rocker makes it slower and you need more wind to get going, so you increase the surface area to make up for the rocker.

a standard board, standard size will work fine with boots, although they arnt made for it and could break easily.

cool guys, need to find a new board and would like something that sits in between wake specific and freestyle specific. ie dont want tooo much rocker.

so I think I will have a look at some freestyle/wakestyle kite boards, probably along the lines of a cab custom..

any other recommendations worth trying?

Ronix boots seem to have a good rep. I assume you cant demo boots?

default said...

cool guys, need to find a new board and would like something that sits in between wake specific and freestyle specific. ie dont want tooo much rocker.

so I think I will have a look at some freestyle/wakestyle kite boards, probably along the lines of a cab custom..

any other recommendations worth trying?

Ronix boots seem to have a good rep. I assume you cant demo boots?

LF Influence (don't bother though, DLX is good for what you describe), North Gambler, Wainman Joke...

As for boots, go to a wake shop and try on a bunch till you find the right fit/flex for you. I ride LF Ultras and like them and I've tried LF Cradles and they were good too, Ronix do get a good rep too though. Liquid Elements in Bentley have good stock and you may score lasts season boots for a good price. You could gamble and order online but you'll be pissed if they arne't right as you won't be able to return them and 2nd hand boots have bugger all resale.

As Troyrotor mentioned, many boots will come with bolts that don't match in length or thread to some boards. LF only went to M6 last year. Just grab some stainless M6x20 bolts before everything arrives so you don't end up lacking hardware when the wind is blowing. The wake shop can sort you with thumb screws so you don't need tools too.

im riding a 140 custom, i had been riding a 136 caliber that i could ride in 14knots easy with an 11m switchblade.
i will be getting a 139 gambler

edit.. i weigh 76kg

default said...

cool guys, need to find a new board and would like something that sits in between wake specific and freestyle specific. ie dont want tooo much rocker.

so I think I will have a look at some freestyle/wakestyle kite boards, probably along the lines of a cab custom..

any other recommendations worth trying?

Ronix boots seem to have a good rep. I assume you cant demo boots?

Having rocker is vital for a good board IMO- you don't want to be nosediving all the time. Having a bigger board lets you get away with a lot more rocker and you won't be tripping edges all day long as you will find out is no fun in boots. Is there a particular reason your against rocker- apart from the obvious upwind issues, which are only really a problem in wake specific boards- I would go ~138-142

I second that, the custom once I figured it out goes upwind like crazy, different technique needed though.

Yep 140 mark will do you well, give or take a few cm.
Some Ronix boots will help also, good support, direct response and lightweight.

Boards I would consider are:
Cab Custom.
LF FLX (wakeboard although has less rocker than custom)
LF Watson Hybrid 2010 (wakeboard although has less rocker than custom)
Cardboards Tempo.
or
Tona Pop (what I ride - good mix of everything).

Obviously there are other boards that are ok. But for best price and feel I would look for something like above.

Less, but it's a very controlled amount.
I don't know for sure the exact amount (maybe 2 inches?) but put it this way - if you ride it you don't feel like it has a big rocker. But when you land and take off it's still smooth and soft like a custom. I think it has a lot to do with it's bottom shape.

The Tempo is pretty good, quite flat in the middle never have had troubles going upwind yet the tips are quite raised so there's not much chance of tripping an edge.

New Gambler was looking alright shape wise. I saw only the prototype though and it was far too flexi... They said the production would be stiffer, but I didn't see or ride that board so I can't say if it is.

sir ROWDY said...

Wow, times have changed...

As the monkey said above, you want rocker, rocker is your friend... and lets face it, kiteboardings idea of lots of "rocker" is usually nothing noticeable.
The only board with a big rocker is the Cab custom and the rocker wont affect your upwind, it will affect your pop in lighter winds.
Actually Best has a "wakestyle" board with way too much rocker, it is an absolute joke and I wouldn't consider buying it.

As for boots - Buy Ronix in your shoe size. Problem solved.

p.s.
In-fact I think the biggest misconception in kiteboarding is that a board with more rocker will stop you going upwind... it won't stop you going up-wind, the only thing it does is slow you down in marginal conditions. If you can ride properly, you can still go upwind in almost anything.

I fully agree with you on the rocker thing. In fact I was riding a Wakeboard (watson Hybrid 143 @ 82-86kg) for a summer and it worked just fine, just need to touch up your edging technique a bit, gives you great load and pop only place you lost pop was in light winds.
However - That best board you're talking about is one I have in my possession now, and I will admit when i first saw it I was a bit skeptical about it too with that large rocker it had, probably only 5mm less than my Hybrids in a 138 size, but when I rode it it was amazing, leaps and bounds ahead and actually went really well in lighter winds. Upwinds good and it's really fast in lighter stuff. I would say it rides similar to the custom actually and i'm loving it.

My list of boards to look at would be:

Cab Custom

Tona Pop (Haven't ridden yet but looking at the design it looks wicked)

Tempo (it's a flatter rocker, little bit faster than the others and gets away in lighter winds but a bit more slappy on the landings so if you're going big you won't be landing AS SOFT as with the boards with good rocker)

Best Profanity (my personal choice in boards), it's very similar to feel as the custom, wider in the tips so you get a bit more pop and a bit more efficiency out of it per size than most other wakestyle boards. I ride this and am more than happy to let you have a go on it if you want. I have size 9/10 boots on my board if that helps you out.

Another one to look at was the LF DLX or influences, DLX is more wake and rides better but influence has a bit more speed and better in light stuff though I thought their prices are a bit full on... as are most companies though.