first board - beginner

[tuaribe]

I'm a beginning wakeboarder (only been once in my life) - and I'd like to purchase my first wakeboard (btw, I'm 24 yrs old, 185 lbs). I have no idea what makes a good board or if certain brands are better than others. I'd rather not spend a whole bunch of money since this will be my first board - but i'm not against spending money for something nice. Does anyone have any recommendations for what would be a decent board to start out with? I've been looking at two package deals recently:
1. O'Brien Vision 140 with bindings for $330
2. Hyperlite Motive 140 Biolite with bindings for $300
Does anyone have any advice about which one is better? Or are there other good beginner boards out there that you would recommend? Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks!

[photoman]

My first board was a Vision 140 and I loved it (I'm 6'2" and about 195). It's designated as an advanced board but I got on fine with it having learnt on the Jobe hire boards at the lake for a couple of months. It's lasted about 3 years including about 1½ years of hitting kickers and sliders constantly. The pointy bits on the tip/tail definitely help it ride better but break quite easily. Mine's got araldite holding all of them on to one degree or another. I always wraped the tip/tail with a thick strip of pipe insulation when transporting it to/from the lake just to protect the pointy bits. (No damage ever happened in transit - just from me hitting kickers/sliders so it you don't do obstacles - no worries!)

If you like a locked on feeling board the visions' 4 fins work a treat! If you like a looser feel don't get it but most importantly TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! Depends which bindings you get as to whether 330 is a good deal. This is a UK based forum so am not sure as to USA deals for comparison.

[ben8473]

Go for the cheapest board you can find, it won't make a **** of difference to your riding at this stage. When you get the techniques down solid and know how you like to ride, go splash out on something more fancy.

Chances are you'll do what every wakeboarder does when they start....buy 6 boards in as many months hoping that each board will improve your riding, and then realise years later that you can ride the first board you bought just as well as the latest board you bought.

I might add that the money is better spent on some good bindings, as these are the things that can make or break you......literally.

[scary]

I agree with Ben on the baord front. As a suggestion I'd pick up a 3 to 4 year old Liquid Force Trip and some LF Ultra bindings. These have both been around virtually unchanged for 6 or more years and there's a reason why! Make sure you get the 143cm Trip for your weight though. I got mine from ebay USA and paid 35 bucks for the board and about 45 for my bindings. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this setup won't take you all the way to pro level- plenty of pros keep a pair of ultras in the closet for when their sponsors aren't watching! Half the LF team still wear them regularly too.

[303Hound]

avoid the obrien link bindings they are absoloute ****e have had to send mine back twice in as many months.

[PaulMc]

hit up ebay for a cheap second hand board, My first ever board was the original belmont great board, called the motive these days.... take a look at it, it will last you a while.