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Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 3:10 pm
by ajcampen
Used my ski rope last year for wakeboarding and it was scary. The rope would slingshot back at the boat.
Want to buy one this off season. Any idea what length I should but? I have seen 70 feet and 65 feet.
Thanks
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 3:20 pm
by Cobalt262
The better ones are adjustable in 5ft increments. My kids tried all the lenghs to see which felt the best. I think they went with 70ft.
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Lenght
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 3:23 pm
by ajcampen
thanks...any brand or link to one you all recommend would be awesome.
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 3:40 pm
by Big Block Power
We used 60 ft ski rope for years. I think I'll switch over to the correct rope this coming year. But now using a tower I'll prob go with a 70. You have to hit the no washed out part of the wake. Each boat is a bit diff but prob close to each other.
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 5:36 pm
by Bfun220
The general rule of jumping is that you want to be landing most of your tricks right on the downside of the second wake. Landing past that every time (called landing in ‘the flats’) will take its toll on your knees and likely cause you to bounce when you hit the water on some tricks. Just like watching a snowboarder or motocross rider, you’ll notice that they land on a downhill transition every time. If they were to land flat, they’d either bounce when they landed or their knees would buckle. Use the rope length to make sure that you’re always landing on the nice, gentle, downside of the second wake.
If you’re landing in the flats every time, let the rope out a length. If you’re coming up short, pull it in a few feet. Rope lengths for beginners are usually about 65 feet, for intermediate riders typically 65-75 feet (the longer you can manage, the better), and for advanced riders generally a rope 75-85 feet in length.
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 5:49 pm
by ajcampen
Bfun220 wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 5:36 pm
The general rule of jumping is that you want to be landing most of your tricks right on the downside of the second wake. Landing past that every time (called landing in ‘the flats’) will take its toll on your knees and likely cause you to bounce when you hit the water on some tricks. Just like watching a snowboarder or motocross rider, you’ll notice that they land on a downhill transition every time. If they were to land flat, they’d either bounce when they landed or their knees would buckle. Use the rope length to make sure that you’re always landing on the nice, gentle, downside of the second wake.
If you’re landing in the flats every time, let the rope out a length. If you’re coming up short, pull it in a few feet. Rope lengths for beginners are usually about 65 feet, for intermediate riders typically 65-75 feet (the longer you can manage, the better), and for advanced riders generally a rope 75-85 feet in length.
Thanks b
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 7:09 pm
by Big Block Power
The big difference for us though is the wake. On a tow boat the wake is very different. Not about of white wash in there wake. Our boats create a ton of white wash. But there's always a spot where it's clean. I shoot for that spot. We are not pros by any means and not jumping and Flipping the whole wake. Just want a nice clean ramp.
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:16 pm
by ajcampen
U guys are speaking french
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:40 pm
by akorcovelos
non-stretch rope is a must. You need to maintain rope tension when jumping, and a standard ski rope won't let you get a good progressive edge into the wake. Length is entirely dependent on the rider and their preference. I start beginners at 65' and once they get comfortable I'll add 5' links to get them into the sweet spot on the wake. Some like to ride longer, but without major ballast the wake starts to get too flat past 75' to really be any fun.
HIGHLY recommend this to anyone getting into the sport. It's by far the best instruction you'll get without paying someone to take you out and work with you.
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Wake-Instru ... nal+series
They even sell a mobile device version so you can reference it on the boat.
This is the rope I run, but any non-stretch wakeboard rope will do.
https://www.amazon.com/Ronix-Wakeboard- ... board+rope
Gratuitous action shot.

Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:45 pm
by Big Block Power
This is the style of rope I will be looking at. I love watching Shaun Murray utube vids. I highly recommend them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GMOOE ... UTF8&psc=1
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:40 pm
by akorcovelos
I've ridden with that type of handle, and I didn't like it. I like the stiffer sides on the handle, makes handle passes much easier for me.
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:44 am
by AsLan7
akorcovelos wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:40 pm
non-stretch rope is a must. You need to maintain rope tension when jumping, and a standard ski rope won't let you get a good progressive edge into the wake. Length is entirely dependent on the rider and their preference. I start beginners at 65' and once they get comfortable I'll add 5' links to get them into the sweet spot on the wake. Some like to ride longer, but without major ballast the wake starts to get too flat past 75' to really be any fun.
HIGHLY recommend this to anyone getting into the sport. It's by far the best instruction you'll get without paying someone to take you out and work with you.
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Wake-Instru ... nal+series
They even sell a mobile device version so you can reference it on the boat.
This is the rope I run, but any non-stretch wakeboard rope will do.
https://www.amazon.com/Ronix-Wakeboard- ... board+rope
Gratuitous action shot.
.
Great post and great pic akcvs! Love the action shot. I too have that rope in our repertoire.

Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:02 pm
by akorcovelos
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:45 pm
This is the style of rope I will be looking at. I love watching Shaun Murray utube vids. I highly recommend them.
If you get the chance go to some stops on the King of Wake Tour, all the pro riders are there and mingle with the crowed all the time. I've met Shawn, and Randy Maloniski, Mke Dowdey, Chad Sharpe, etc., all super nice and loved just hanging out with the general crowed. Very good with our kids too, really doing a great job representing the sport.
Great post and great pic akcvs! Love the action shot. I too have that rope in our repertoire.

Thanks, wish I had gotten into the sport sooner. I'm the old guy out there these days, getting showed up by teens, lol.
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 6:59 pm
by Cobalt262
My kids can't get enough air time!
Re: Wakeboard Tow Rope Length
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2018 7:15 pm
by Big Block Power
akorcovelos wrote: Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:02 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:45 pm
This is the style of rope I will be looking at. I love watching Shaun Murray utube vids. I highly recommend them.
If you get the chance go to some stops on the King of Wake Tour, all the pro riders are there and mingle with the crowed all the time. I've met Shawn, and Randy Maloniski, Mke Dowdey, Chad Sharpe, etc., all super nice and loved just hanging out with the general crowed. Very good with our kids too, really doing a great job representing the sport.
Great post and great pic akcvs! Love the action shot. I too have that rope in our repertoire.

Thanks, wish I had gotten into the sport sooner. I'm the old guy out there these days, getting showed up by teens, lol.
Yea that would be cool or hit the lake Shaun lives on in Florida. Lol
So this is my first board. I got it signed by Dean Lavelle. We get a pro each year that comes up to a local dealer for wake board Wednesday's.