Ropes and Towers

[truenorth]

I've been wakeboarding for about two years now and I am interested in the differences between ropes. Right now i am using a cheap multi-colored rope, probably desinged for tubes and skis. Are there wakeboard-specific ropes and if so why?
Also, i am contemplating on putting a tower on my 19ft sport boat. Right now we are towing off the back hook, about 1 ft off the water. How much difference would a tower make?

Thanks

[awolfman247]

i've learned off a ski and fish stratious just like you are wake boarding on now. it was fun then i moved up to a supra with fly high pole and a lot better wake it was even better. then i went to a tiga with atower and alot better wake now i'm rocking. the difference between the pole and the tower is. with the pole the boat is unstable the boat will rock back and forth specialy when you get aggresive. the tower elminates that it is more sound. as far as rope you want one with out spring a ski and tube rope both have spring in it . i use an accurate line and liquid force handle the rope is $65.00 and the handle is $67.00. you can learn more about if you get shawn murray viedo detention vol. 1 goes over the basics and vol.2 goes over nothing but tricks and get both vols. on 1 or buy them separate. i work for wake board shop called state of mind water sports in st. Louis. if you want to order something let me know the phone number there is 314-731-3795 ask for joel and tall him you taked to scott he can ship it to you and i will tell him to give a discount. my email address is awolfman247@aol.com

[jburby]

One of the most important things about the rope is that it does not strectch. Many ski ropes do stretch, you do not want that when wakeboarding - you want to be able to load the rope to do the big tricks.

In terms of a tower, yes it makes a big difference. I have a 1999 18ft Bluewater. I researched towers for 6 months and finally decided to go for the Samson Sports (www.samsonsports.com) tower. I have a few buddies with cheaper towers (like the Barewest) and pylon. The pylons get in the way and flex to much, the cheap towers are not strong enough when you start pulling bigger tricks and they look like crap.

Samson designed the tower to the exact specifications of my boat, it is rock solid, but can still fold down to fit in my garage. I added a sweet pair of Speakers and lights from Samson as well.

It makes a really big difference, the rope is pulling you up when you hit the wake rather than down like if you are pulling from one-foot off the water.

Good luck!