Looking for your first wakeboard can be an overwhelming experience, there are so many options to choose from. To narrow the process down, the first question you should ask yourself is:
Will I be riding my wakeboard behind a boat, or at a cable park?
The answer to that question will guide you towards what board you should look at getting. In this blog we will explain why that is an important question, and what the 3 key differences are between the two types of wakeboards.
1. Board Construction
First and foremost, the biggest difference between the two styles of boards is what they are made out of. Since a boat wakeboard is only meant to come in contact with the water, it is constructed differently than a cable board. The base material is not reinforced to protect against contact with anything other than water, and the board is made out of lightweight materials which makes it easier to get air on. In addition, boat boards often feature molded-in fins, as well as removable fins which help the rider edge back and forth behind the boat.
On the other hand, a cable wakeboard is made to be more durable. A cable board will have a smooth and flat base which allows the board to slide freely along the features. The base is also constructed using materials that are meant to come in contact with jumps and rails, which helps the board withstand the abuse it experiences at a cable park. The boards will also feature reinforced sidewalls to help mitigate damage that can be caused by some cable park features.
It is important to note that if you were to take a boat specific wakeboard to a cable park and hit the features (jumps, rails, etc), that boards base would sustain significant damage, and the fins would get hung up on the features likely causing you to fall. This is the main reason why it is so important to distinguish between the two types of boards prior to deciding what to buy.
2. Flex Pattern
The second biggest difference between the two boards is going to be the amount of flexibility they have. A wakeboard built for riding behind the boat will feel stiff and rigid when compared to a cable specific wakeboard. Behind the boat is it important to get a good “pop” off the wake, and a stiff board will help the rider edge into the wake and get more air, as the board will resist the water as you hit the wake and help propel you up. At the cable park you want the board to be responsive under your feet and be flexible on rails. The board's flex allows the rider to perform tricks like nose presses that would otherwise not be possible on a stiffer boat specific wakeboard.
3. Length
The last major difference between a boat and a cable wakeboard is going to be the length. Some might say size doesn’t matter, but if you visit any cable park around the world you will see that the local riders would tend to disagree. Over the past few years there has been a shift in what is the preferred length for a cable park board, with the theory being that a longer board will have more surface area and allow the board to be more “playful” on the water. It is not uncommon to see cable boards over 155cm in length.
With boat and cable wakeboards a larger board with more surface area will make learning how to wakeboard easier, as it will be easier to ride at lower speeds, and can help you pop out of the water easier on deep water starts. Make sure to check the size chart on each board to see what length would work best for you.
