Buying Guide | Tow Ropes

Wakeboard Ropesside-to-side cutting through boat wake.
Types- A recommended rope is one-quarter-inch diamond
braid polyethylene or polypropylene with breaking
- The construction of a no-stretch rope is made fromstrength greater than 800 pounds.
material called Spectra.- Take-Offs: Allow for the shortening or lengthening
- Spectra Rope is an extremely durable material withof a rope from one attachment loop to the next. If
practically no elasticity. Meaning that a no-stretchyou would like to ski closer to the boat, "take-off"
rope will do just that. It will not stretch, making idealloops, or further away, add loops.
for use in wakeboarding.- Standard ropes will contain up to 10 colored
- Spectra Rope also has extremely low moisturesections that you can "take-off".
absorption, providing a perfect compliment to use onKneeboard Ropes
the water. It keeps the rope lighter and does not- No-Stretch
accelerate fatigue while holding on to the rope handle.- The construction of a no-stretch rope is made from
- Low-Stretchmaterial called Spectra.
- The construction of a low stretch rope is generally- Spectra Rope is an extremely durable material with
composed of polyethylene or polyethylene blendpractically no elasticity. Meaning that a no-stretch
material.rope will do just that. It will not stretch, making ideal
- This type of construction provides more elasticityfor use in wakeboarding.
than a no-stretch Spectra rope.- Spectra Rope also has extremely low moisture
- This type of construction proves beneficial to mostabsorption, providing a perfect compliment to use on
recreational riders.the water. It keeps the rope lighter and does not
- Multi-Purposeaccelerate fatigue while holding on to the rope handle.
- If you're a wakeboarder who primarily works on- Low-Stretch
honing your skills performing tricks, a no-stretch- The construction of a low stretch rope is generally
Spectra rope is best.composed of polyethylene or polyethylene blend
- For those who enjoy both waterskiing andmaterial.
recreational wakeboarding, low-stretch ropes will be- This type of construction provides more elasticity
the best rope choice. Low-stretch ropes providethan a no-stretch Spectra rope.
enough elasticity for recreational waterskiing, while- This type of construction proves beneficial to most
maintaining enough stiffness for wakeboarders ridingrecreational riders.
for recreational purpose.- Multi-Purpose
- Length- If you're a kneeboarder who primarily works on
- Typical wakeboard ropes will range between 60-70honing your skills performing tricks, a no-stretch
feet in length. However, rope length can vary.Spectra rope is best.
Handles- For those who enjoy both waterskiing and
- Just as rope type differs between wakeboardingrecreational kneeboarding, low-stretch ropes will be
and waterskiing, so do wakeboarding handles.the best rope choice. Low-stretch ropes provide
- Wakeboard handles are more specialized; offeringenough elasticity for recreational waterskiing, while
more features aimed at making tricks and aerialsmaintaining enough stiffness for kneeboarders riding
easier.for recreational purpose.
- Wakeboard handles tend to have a wider grip than- Rope Length
waterskiing handles. Ranging from 13-15 (in) in width.- Typical kneeboard ropes will range between 60-70
By comparison, water skiing handles typically measurefeet in length. However, rope length can vary.
11-12 (in) wide.- Handles
- Wider grips help riders when performing tricks- Just as rope type differs between kneeboarding
because of the necessity to pass the handle behindand waterskiing, so do kneeboarding handles.
the back.- Kneeboard handles are more specialized; offering
- Wakeboarding handles will have features that makemore features aimed at making tricks and aerials
spin tricks easier. Often in the form of a rope braideasier.
or second smaller handle grip built into the rope.- Kneeboard handles tend to have a wider grip than
- Wakeboarding handles commonly have a neoprenewaterskiing handles. Ranging from 13-15 (in) in width.
foam float that makes them float.By comparison, water skiing handles typically measure
- Slower speeds of wakeboarders in comparison to11-12 (in) wide.
water skiers allow for foam floats to be present on- Wider grips help riders when performing tricks
handles without concerns of the water ripping thebecause of the necessity to pass the handle behind
floats off.the back.
Water Ski Ropes- Kneeboarding handles will have features that make
- Water ski ropes require a slight bit of elasticity thatspin tricks easier. Often in the form of a rope braid
can provide give as the skier changes his or heror second smaller handle grip built into the rope.
speed and goes from one turn to the next.- Kneeboarding handles commonly have a neoprene
- Standard rope lengths are 70 feet. 75 feet with thefoam float that makes them float.
handle included.- Slower speeds of kneeboarders in comparison to
- Typically water ski ropes are made fromwater skiers allow for foam floats to be present on
polypropylene that will stretch 2-3% of its lengthhandles without concerns of the water ripping the
under normal conditions.floats off.
- Rope give absorbs shock as a skier goes