Bottom Materials

Nexes
Creates friction due to its slightly rough texture and makes the wakeboard feel fast. The friction between the surface and the water acts as a thin cushion of disturbed water, which creates a slight lift. Rougher surface decreases the amount of contact between wakeboard and rail on which you are grinding, which in turn makes this bottom the fastest material for grinding.

PBT
Slick bottom, very appealing to the eye and gives graphics a very high-quality finished look. For those of you who like a slower-feeling wakeboard, gives the wakeboard a slower, stickier feel for more sensitivity through turns and on rails. Material durability adds life to the wakeboard.

P-Tex
Rail-based material, durability for you rail-grinding junkies, slightly reshapeable.

Urethane
Rail-based material, softer than P-Tex which makes the wakeboard slower when grinding but give you more grind feeling.

With all these features and variables to put into one board, you can see that deciding is going to be tough. At the end of the day, maybe you should go with your gut instinct. Pick out what graphic you like the best then learn to deal with its variables. Most of the companies have gone out of their way to give you a sizing chart as well as an ability spectrum so you can figure out which wakeboards are best for you. But it still is good to learn about these features and understand what they do. Now that you’re educated on how your wakeboard really works, go down to your local shop and check out the selections, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

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