ROCK CLIMBING & CAVING

Buying Guide | Tow Ropes

Wakeboard Ropes

Types

• No-Stretch
  • The construction of a no-stretch rope is made from material called Spectra.
  • Spectra Rope is an extremely durable material with practically no elasticity. Meaning that a no-stretch rope will do just that. It will not stretch, making ideal for use in wakeboarding.
  • Spectra Rope also has extremely low moisture absorption, providing a perfect compliment to use on the water. It keeps the rope lighter and does not accelerate fatigue while holding on to the rope handle.

• Low-Stretch
  • The construction of a low stretch rope is generally composed of polyethylene or polyethylene blend material.
  • This type of construction provides more elasticity than a no-stretch Spectra rope.
  • This type of construction proves beneficial to most recreational riders.

• Multi-Purpose
  • If you’re a wakeboarder who primarily works on honing your skills performing tricks, a no-stretch Spectra rope is best.
  • For those who enjoy both waterskiing and recreational wakeboarding, low-stretch ropes will be the best rope choice. Low-stretch ropes provide enough elasticity for recreational waterskiing, while maintaining enough stiffness for wakeboarders riding for recreational purpose.

• Length
  • Typical wakeboard ropes will range between 60-70 feet in length. However, rope length can vary.

Handles

• Just as rope type differs between wakeboarding and waterskiing, so do wakeboarding handles.
• Wakeboard handles are more specialized; offering more features aimed at making tricks and aerials easier.
• Wakeboard handles tend to have a wider grip than waterskiing handles. Ranging from 13-15 (in) in width. By comparison, water skiing handles typically measure 11-12 (in) wide.
• Wider grips help riders when performing tricks because of the necessity to pass the handle behind the back.
• Wakeboarding handles will have features that make spin tricks easier. Often in the form of a rope braid or second smaller handle grip built into the rope.
• Wakeboarding handles commonly have a neoprene foam float that makes them float.
• Slower speeds of wakeboarders in comparison to water skiers allow for foam floats to be present on handles without concerns of the water ripping the floats off.

Water Ski Ropes

• Water ski ropes require a slight bit of elasticity that can provide give as the skier changes his or her speed and goes from one turn to the next.
• Standard rope lengths are 70 feet. 75 feet with the handle included.
• Typically water ski ropes are made from polypropylene that will stretch 2-3% of its length under normal conditions.
• Rope give absorbs shock as a skier goes side-to-side cutting through boat wake.
• A recommended rope is one-quarter-inch diamond braid polyethylene or polypropylene with breaking strength greater than 800 pounds.
• Take-Offs: Allow for the shortening or lengthening of a rope from one attachment loop to the next. If you would like to ski closer to the boat, “take-off” loops, or further away, add loops.
• Standard ropes will contain up to 10 colored sections that you can “take-off”.

Kneeboard Ropes

• No-Stretch
  • The construction of a no-stretch rope is made from material called Spectra.
  • Spectra Rope is an extremely durable material with practically no elasticity. Meaning that a no-stretch rope will do just that. It will not stretch, making ideal for use in wakeboarding.
  • Spectra Rope also has extremely low moisture absorption, providing a perfect compliment to use on the water. It keeps the rope lighter and does not accelerate fatigue while holding on to the rope handle.

• Low-Stretch
  • The construction of a low stretch rope is generally composed of polyethylene or polyethylene blend material.
  • This type of construction provides more elasticity than a no-stretch Spectra rope.
  • This type of construction proves beneficial to most recreational riders.

• Multi-Purpose
  • If you’re a kneeboarder who primarily works on honing your skills performing tricks, a no-stretch Spectra rope is best.
  • For those who enjoy both waterskiing and recreational kneeboarding, low-stretch ropes will be the best rope choice. Low-stretch ropes provide enough elasticity for recreational waterskiing, while maintaining enough stiffness for kneeboarders riding for recreational purpose.

• Rope Length
  • Typical kneeboard ropes will range between 60-70 feet in length. However, rope length can vary.

• Handles
  • Just as rope type differs between kneeboarding and waterskiing, so do kneeboarding handles.
  • Kneeboard handles are more specialized; offering more features aimed at making tricks and aerials easier.
  • Kneeboard handles tend to have a wider grip than waterskiing handles. Ranging from 13-15 (in) in width. By comparison, water skiing handles typically measure 11-12 (in) wide.
  • Wider grips help riders when performing tricks because of the necessity to pass the handle behind the back.
  • Kneeboarding handles will have features that make spin tricks easier. Often in the form of a rope braid or second smaller handle grip built into the rope.
  • Kneeboarding handles commonly have a neoprene foam float that makes them float.
  • Slower speeds of kneeboarders in comparison to water skiers allow for foam floats to be present on handles without concerns of the water ripping the floats off.

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