FNG Can I flip? 6’5” 230lbs

[HarryConnolly]

I’m brand new, don’t have a ski yet.
I was fortunate enough to do some ocean free riding on a sit down. The sit down was boring but I got bit by the water bug.

I come from a dirt bike and Harley background. I can backflip a dirt bike and wheelie Harley’s. I can stunt a street bike as well, I grew out of that unfortunately.

I have a lake and I have a desire to drop 8-12k on a ski.

My only desire is to backflip and short session stunt on a ski. I have access to fresh flat water and a 5 minute drive to the ocean.

Is it worth my time and money to buy a ski or am I too big and wasting my time?

I’ve been lurking and researching for about 3 months.

Thanks!

 

[yamahaulass]

12k would buy a nice surf machine but flat water flipping is a different animal. I'd say pick something up in your budget and let it progress from there

 

[HarryConnolly]

12k would buy a nice surf machine but flat water flipping is a different animal. I'd say pick something up in your budget and let it progress from there

Should I pick up a used aftermarket hull ski or something like a superjet? I don’t like the idea of a superjet because if it works out I’ll need a different hull in a season. I know my budget puts me in reach of a decent aftermarket hull. I’m figuring I’ll want a larger motor which will be more $.

Seems like my budget gets me a decent aftermarket hull 3-10 years old with a 700. Or a stock superjet.

 

[HarryConnolly]

12k would buy a nice surf machine but flat water flipping is a different animal. I'd say pick something up in your budget and let it progress from there

And am I too large / tall to even consider having fun on a stand up ski?

I did ocean riding in 5-8ft seas on a sit down. Had a blast launching into the air. It was short lived because you can’t do much on a sit down aside from just jumping and sliding around.

I saw some folks in the area doing backflips on Rickters. I decided I want to do that.

Unfortunately my size has affected my ability to fit in certain cars or on motorcycles.

Can big lanky wind sails like myself get down on a freestyle ski? All the videos it seems like small guys.

 

[bkspeedwerks]

we have tons of 225+ lb guys in my riding group all who can flip both flatwater and surf/ boats. even have a buddy who is 300+ who flatwater flips a 964 stock stroke. A good aftermarket hull with a 701 will flip on small boat wake if u do your part. your budget will get you a solid boat wake flip-able ski.

 

[800750]

No you are not too big. If flips are what you want then get a flip machine. As long as you are mechanically inclined you will figure it out. There is a wok with a 1200 in the forsale section. Something like that would be your best bet in my opinion

 

[Sparkplug]

Surf riding a standup is the most physically intensive sport/hobby I've done. Make sure you have the stamina first.

Flat water flipping takes more money than skill. Flips are probably the easiest air trick to do besides a stab. Rolls, and spins are harder imo and more fun.

Any of the recent short am hulls of the last 5 yrs will flip flat water with a 701. If you got the skills. I'd lean towards a xfr, xfs, or maybe one of those kitty crafts.

12k will get you a ski that is capable of a flat water flip. It's going to require a ton of tray time and dedication though.

 

[Quinc]

I am 6' 240 and can flip my b.o.b with a built 771. I even have it for sale for 13k But it took a ton of tray time and practice. Start hitting the rowing machine now and being able to hang from a bar for 2+ minutes will help with stamina.

 

[Jyzmbe]

I’m 6’3 and I’m over 300 and don’t have a problem. Even on smaller motors. Obviously more power helps. At my biggest I was 370lbs and it didn’t effect me much.
I was 370 here

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Just a heads up backflip boats are not good for much else besides backflips and barrel rolls , prove me wrong .

 

[Sparkplug]

Just a heads up backflip boats are not good for much else besides backflips and barrel rolls , prove me wrong .

How would one prove you wrong? What constitutes good? My xfr can easily flip. It's been combod by better riders than me. And I can ride it in a 5 ft circle for a entire tank of fuel. Or ride it 10 miles up and down river. I can stand on it idling or with it off in the water. I can log roll it. Jump sub it. Shred buoys on it. And really, knowing I sound like a cocky douche, people watch me ride. And think it's easy. Because I make it look like that. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing you can do on any stock ski that I cannot on my 1100 combo xfr. Short of possibly racing. But I bet I'd still smoke a good portion of you guys around buoys.

Tell me. What do I need to record me doing on the ski. To prove it to you and everyone else that it is 75 percent rider. And 25 percent ski. I feel like this idea stems from the majority of ski riders, being people who failed at other sports. And aren't in as good of shape, or have athletic skill, that they think they do.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

You gotta crawl before you can walk. Start smaller, get some tray time and get very comfortable riding before trying flips etc. Can't stand it when seeing people want to get into standups for the sole purpose of doing backflips. Those people usually leave the sport quicker than they started it. Start with a superjet and get good it first then move to a flip ski. With some skill, a superjet can flip off a boat wake and in the surf.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

How would one prove you wrong? What constitutes good? My xfr can easily flip. It's been combod by better riders than me. And I can ride it in a 5 ft circle for a entire tank of fuel. Or ride it 10 miles up and down river. I can stand on it idling or with it off in the water. I can log roll it. Jump sub it. Shred buoys on it. And really, knowing I sound like a cocky douche, people watch me ride. And think it's easy. Because I make it look like that. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing you can do on any stock ski that I cannot on my 1100 combo xfr. Short of possibly racing. But I bet I'd still smoke a good portion of you guys around buoys.

Tell me. What do I need to record me doing on the ski. To prove it to you and everyone else that it is 75 percent rider. And 25 percent ski

I think what he is saying is you're not going to ride a flip ski more than in a cove or circles for setup wakes. They're incredibly uncomfortable for anything else.

 

[Sparkplug]

I think what he is saying is you're not going to ride a flip ski more than in a cove or circles for setup wakes. They're incredibly uncomfortable for anything else.

But. That's not true. At all. Your just used to riding that way. I ride a superjet and it wears me out like a short skillfully hull wears most other riders because of their lack of actual athletic ability. It takes 5x the effort to get a sj to move. Like a log with a pump attached to it.

Again. I ride 10 miles up and down river. And flip. And roll. Jump sub. Turn sub. All that. I will ride my xfr a full sj tank of fuel on a ride with ANYONE on ANY BODY OF WATER if they wanna wager I can't. It's super annoying that a select few don't have the skills. And then Debbie down others because of it.

WHAT CANT MY 1100 XFR DO?

 

[WFO Speedracer]

But. That's not true. At all. Your just used to riding that way. I ride a superjet and it wears me out like a short skillfully hull wears most other riders because of their lack of actual athletic ability. It takes 5x the effort to get a sj to move. Like a log with a pump attached to it.

Again. I ride 10 miles up and down river. And flip. And roll. Jump sub. Turn sub. All that. I will ride my xfr a full sj tank of fuel on a ride with ANYONE on ANY BODY OF WATER if they wanna wager I can't. It's super annoying that a select few don't have the skills. And then Debbie down others because of it.

WHAT CANT MY 1100 XFR DO?

So then you would absolutely recommend someone start off with a flip ski ?

I know I wouldn't and truefully it is irresponsible for anyone else to recommend that unless your goal is to keep people out of the sport instead of getting them into it.

Now I am talking about flat water flip capable skis here , if you are talking about skis that will flip off of a wake boat wake or in the surf that is an entirely different ball game.

 

[Sparkplug]

Dude. My xfr flat water flips. And combos. Off a setup wake. No boat wake. Wtf is.up with your reading comprehension.

When sjs were 2-4k it made sense to start on one. Nowadays a sj worth a shiat is 5-10k. Your recommendation is old school. And a good way to waste a bunch of money on old ass obsolete parts.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Dude. My xfr flat water flips. And combos. Off a setup wake. No boat wake. Wtf is.up with your reading comprehension.

When sjs were 2-4k it made sense to start on one. Nowadays a sj worth a shiat is 5-10k. Your recommendation is old school. And a good way to waste a bunch of money on old ass obsolete parts.

yeah, ok

;

 

[Roseand]

I think it's important to ride a superjet or other stock hull so you fully appreciate how amazing an aftermarket hull is and how they are so much more capable of being able to flick around and turn on a dime. I'm not going to say a superjet is better at cruising around because there are am hulls that are excellent at chasing boats. AM hulls are better at most everything and much more fun. Not to mention a nice wide tray and lighter. I rode a WDK RIP for 8 years, one of the shortest hulls out there and I had no problem chasing boats, and I didn't just use it as a flip ski. Shredding rollers or slashing boat wakes makes for a good time too..
I will say this. I have seen a lot of people buy short hulls, stand with both feet in the holds and can barely ride the thing, with the sole purpose to flip. Flipping is hella fun, but don't be that guy. Be the guy who charges the wake fast and goes for a huge air flat spin too.
All in all, aftermarket hulls are where it's at, at least when you're doing your own thing without boat wakes. A superjet with a boat wake can be absolutely incredible too. Nose stabs, rolls, and flatwater subs can be exhilarating. But again.. Am hulls are more capable off of boat wakes too. And you can run smaller motors and do more.. Plenty flatwater flip with 701s.

 

[Jcary85]

I don’t want to get into a heated debate but I agree there are good all around skis. I can do every FW trick on my XFR I can with with my g2 just not as much height. Slap on the sponsons and maybe change ride plate and it’s absolutely nuts in surf.

To answer OP question, you are definitely not too big as many people have said.

For $13k, get the best hull you can find with a small motor. You’ll have to work really hard to flip it but it will build a lot of great technique and be more reliable as you flop, get water in it, etc for the first season.

If you care more about flat water, get a light carbon (but good name/model) hull. If you want a hybrid get an XFR or a tigercraft v3, etc and do both. A hybrid boat will have trade offs for flat and surf but still is a lot of fun.

Welcome to the hobby!

 

[fastgtfairlane]

I don’t want to get into a heated debate but I agree there are good all around skis. I can do every FW trick on my XFR I can with with my g2 just not as much height. Slap on the sponsons and maybe change ride plate and it’s absolutely nuts in surf.

To answer OP question, you are definitely not too big as many people have said.

For $13k, get the best hull you can find with a small motor. You’ll have to work really hard to flip it but it will build a lot of great technique and be more reliable as you flop, get water in it, etc for the first season.

If you care more about flat water, get a light carbon (but good name/model) hull. If you want a hybrid get an XFR or a tigercraft v3, etc and do both. A hybrid boat will have trade offs for flat and surf but still is a lot of fun.

Welcome to the hobby!

Do you ride your flat water flipping xfr 10 miles up and down the river back and forth too? Riding in surf is much different than river riding. Hell I doubt one could go 10 miles on a dasa 1100 on only 5 gallons. Maybe 1 direction.. some guys I ride surf with have a dasa 950 and another has a et967 in his v2 aquabot. He has a limited slip 4 or 5 gallon tank, after a 45 min surf sesh, he is out of fuel.. we have about a 300 yard ride to the breakers from where we hang out on the Island we go to..