What are the best water skis for big guys? My favorite ones are the CWB Connelly Big Daddy. They were specifically designed to support heavier weight and are perfectly set-up to make it as easy as possible for big guys.
Last update on 2024-07-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re a big guy it can feel as though every piece of equipment out there isn’t designed for you. It can be frustrating but thankfully there are options available when it comes to water skis. You need ones that are buoyant and with enough stability to support your weight.
Besides the CWB, there are some other fantastic water skis that will be able to support the weight of a bigger guy or gal. Here I will be able to explain everything you should be looking for and make sure that you get the most adequate skis for you.
Reviews of the Best Water Skis for Big Guys
1. CWB Connelly Big Daddy Waterski
If you’re over 220 pounds and want a dynamic and brilliant water ski, then it’s very hard to look past these water skis from CWB. While other skis make themselves versatile to a wide range of different riders, these have been specifically made for heavier riders.
While they might not be suitable for the most advanced of skiers, they do offer a great level of performance. They are going to be enjoyed by anyone who is on a level of beginner to intermediate and looking for a great ski.
One of the greatest features of this ski is that it’s very easy to get up. You won’t be frustrated and instead will be able to enjoy these water skis from the first minute to the last. The cuts are easy and the stability is very high.
If you’re looking for water skis that can be used by the whole family, you might have to look for one of the other two picks, but specifically for heavier users, it will be hard to find a better option, which makes them a must-have.
Pros:
- Polyurethane resin core
- Easy to get up
- Made for riders over 220 pounds
- Smooth performance
Cons:
- Weak bootstrap
- Beginner style
- Low versatility
2. O’Brien Vortex Widebody Combo Water Skis
O’Brien is well-known for making high-quality water sports products and these water skis are no different. They are brilliantly made and their wide-body design is going to help make it as easy as possible for all big guys on the water.
However, if you have very large feet, you might have to think twice about getting these water skis. Some people have complained about the sizing being a touch low. If you have average-sized feet then that isn’t going to be an issue.
The fin which sits underneath the water ski is going to be able to give you a good level of traction while you are on the water. This will help with stability which is important when it comes to big guys on water skis with the center of gravity that they have.
It’s a great learning water ski, making it great for novices and also intermediate- level users. These skis also have an impressive level of versatility as not only will they be a good pair of water skis for big guys but they can also be used by other members of the family, even those who weigh significantly less.
Pros:
- Solid fin underneath
- Adjustable bindings
- High level of stability
- Very easy to learn
Cons:
- Not for experts
- Boots can fit small
- Slower cuts
3. Rave Pure Adult Water Ski Combos
While this is a very good pair of water skis for large adults, it doesn’t have quite the weight capacity of the previous Big Daddy skis. Though, they are still able to support the weight of anyone who is around 250 pounds and below.
The versatility of these Rave Pure water skis is very impressive as it’s going to be ideal for all the family. The water skis are going to be great for all the family to enjoy with the level of buoyancy that they have, with great stability to ensure you stay upright.
As well as being a highly versatile pair of water skis, they also have an impressive level of durability. They should be able to last for many years with endless amounts of fun. The fin has lower quality than some other models but it should still be able to last the test of time.
The thinner profile of these skis makes them a bit livelier than the other two models that we’ve looked at. That will appeal to those looking for a higher level of performance with slightly faster cuts and faster rides.
Pros:
- Great versatility
- Impressive stability
- Fit almost all riders
- Great durability
Cons:
- Thinner profile
- Lower quality fin
How to Choose Water Skis for Big Guys – Buyer’s Guide
The importance of the shape
We have seen a few different shapes available here with the best skis for big guys generally being ones that have a wider body at the front of the ski (great for attaching a mount for your GoPro). This is going to be able to give you more lift and give you more resistance against the water.
Thinner profile skis can still be good for big guys, especially those who are looking for a higher level of performance. If you are a complete beginner then having a wider design when it comes to your water skis might be a better way to go.
Getting the right rocker
With water skis, the rocker is the shape of the ski from the back to the front. This can be slightly curved or in some other cases, it will have quite a dramatic curve. The right rocker for you depends on your level of ability and expertise.
If you are just starting out then you are going to want to look for a gentle rocker that doesn’t have much of a curve to it. More aggressive rockers will have less contact with the water, which can allow for more aggressive turns, but it’s harder to have control.
Fin size
The fin on the bottom of your water ski is going to act like a rudder on a ship, except it won’t move. This will help to keep you in a straight line and help to give beginners more stability to prevent them from falling off their skis.
For beginners, a larger fin is preferable as this is going to give you more drag. The disadvantage of this is that it will slow down the ski. A bigger fin is also preferable if you are going to be skiing over rough waters as you are going to need that stability.
Beveled edges
The edges of a water ski are very important in how the ski will cut through the water. Most skis have a beveled (angled) edge which is going to help them cut into the surface of the water. This will be able to hold the edge as you turn and allow you to have a greater level of stability.
This is a level of stability that the most advanced water skiers don’t really want. They would prefer a smoother edge in order to get more control and be able to deliver tricks. If you are only just starting out then make sure you’re getting a water ski with a beveled edge.
Getting quality bindings
For the uninitiated, they might think that bindings aren’t that important and it’ll be easy to just strap yourself in. For those who have been water skiing for a long time, you know how important they are to how comfortable one is on the water.
Most bindings can be well adjusted but you still need to make sure that they are going to be able to fit your feet properly. As with all forms of skiing, the bindings are very important to be able to prevent serious injury by allowing your feet to pop out when you have a high-speed impact. Due to that, you need to make sure that they have a very high level of build quality.
Knowing your ability level
As seen here, there are many various aspects of a water ski that will affect how it performs. If you are a beginner then you want to look for a water ski which is going to be suitable for your ability range. If you get a high-performance or an intermediate water ski then you could well find yourself getting overly frustrated about how difficult it is to control it.
My Choice for the Best Water Skis for Big Guys
While I have shown you three great options here, the CWB Connelly Big Daddy Water Skis are my top pick for the best water skis for big guys. They give you some excellent control while being very easy to get upon.
It has all the qualities that you look for when it comes to a water ski for heavier users. It is able to support heavy weights while still giving you a huge amount of fun.
That being said, the other two options are great and it’s up to you to choose the one that will be perfect for your needs.
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Last update on 2024-07-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
