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What to Look For When Buying a Wakeboard

Jul. 27 2023 Buying Guide By New England Watersports

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The sport of wakeboarding has become extremely popular over the past few decades and with good reason. It’s active, it’s fun, and it’s not too difficult to pick up. However, you do need to equip yourself with the right gear to make your wakeboarding a success. Here is what to know about shopping for a wakeboard.

Basic Wakeboard Anatomy

First, it’s helpful to understand the common features of most wakeboards, so that you can choose the board that has the best arrangement of options for your needs. These characteristics are flex, rocker, and fins.

  • Flex: The flexibility of your wakeboard is a measure of how much the board bounces on the water. Stiffer boards don’t bounce as much, which can be easier to manage if you’re just starting out.
  • Rocker: This is the level of curve or bend that the profile of your wakeboard will have. The two options here are “three-stage” and “continuous.” Three-stage rocker designs have two sharp bends that experienced riders can use for jumping. The continuous rocker design is simply a smooth curve that is easy to ride on any wake size.
  • Fins: While fins are optional, you’ll still want to think about what type you need for how you intend to ride. Some boards let you add fins later, so you can detach them when you don’t want them. Beginners should opt for deeper and thicker fins that offer a higher degree of stability, while experienced riders might want thinner, smaller fins for more agility.

Wakeboard Types

You can choose between a few different types of wakeboards, including boat boards, wake park boards, and hybrid boards. 

Boat boards are sturdy and easy to control, so they’re pretty stable and durable for most riding purposes.

Wake park boards are harder and rougher, offering more flex and a smoother base. These boards can be more difficult to control, but they improve both speed and maneuverability in the water.

Hybrid boards are a combination of boat boards and wake park boards, offering you a happy medium, with moderately sized fins and a middle ground when it comes to how much they flex. This option can be great for helping you to transition from a boat board to a wake park board.

Are you in search of the perfect wake boat for your wakeboarding adventures? Stop by our dealership in Naples, ME, to view our full stock of new and used wakeboard boats for sale. We can even assist you with financing your purchase. New England Water Sports serves our Maine customers in Long Lake and Sebago Lake.