I don’t think BSOD is much of a park deck. I would take it off the list for what you want to do. Mercury is always a favorite. I don’t know much about the Aeronaut but man the specs look sweet!

 

Odds are most of those rentals were rocker or some sort of hybrid, Aero and Merc both look good but they are a bit more cambered. You will probably have some adjusting to do with your riding but it'll make you a much better rider overall.

I haven't ridden either board, but my guess would be the Aero being a little softer and with more camber would be more versatile in more conditions. Softer is easier to get things like torsional flex going and more camber usually means better edge hold, though not as good as edge tech. I am a fan of mid stiff camber boards, they are very versatile and good almost anywhere and they are very good for progressing. I know the capita website says Aero is for higher skill but I think that's due to the extra camber which when you learn how to use it properly will be excellent. The camber might feel "catchier" and like it wants to grab more when you are progressing from rental boards but it'll pay off to get that under control.

None of the boards you listed are good for jibbing, i.e. riding on boxes, rails, etc. I don't know if that interests you or not, but a good jib board is almost useless on the rest of a mountain. It sounds like you shouldn't consider that for a while.

 

Capita doa - all mtn will do park.
Burton custom - all mtn less park.
Libtech ejack knife - all mtn jumps only no rails/box but absolutely shreds everything especially trees which is all I do anymore.

Those are what I'd be choosing from personally. 159w-162w with large bindings. Smallest id go is a 157w. Union force or equivalent are what I've been riding for the last 15 years. I'm 6'3" and 200lbs for reference. I have a 161w capita doa, 162w burton custom, and 162w ejack knife. Currently looking at larger boards like the 170 son of a bird man and the 195 doughboy.

 

I've only tried Capita boards, meaning low experience / mileage. But one of my friend who used to have a dozen boards downsized his quiver to mostly Capita boards.

To him, the (Super) DOA is great for outside outside powder (he also hardly jib). I can see that, when I tried his board I thought it was very well rounded indeed, but in my experience twin boards simply aren't great for powder. You can make it rideable by setting back, but it won't be the most enjoyable especially on heavier pow which is more demanding.

He has the Mega Death for just freeriding. For mainly freeriding, but also popping in and out of park, he favour the Mega Merc.. which makes me think the Merc might be the better pick for you.

I know most people are likely happy with their Union bindings, including my aforementioned friend, but I don't like their "New Generation" ladders (sawblade) / connectors. By making the tip thin and pointy, I think they are more fragile, and break them more often than regular shaped ladder/connectors.

It's a bit of an old pick, but I keep going back to Burton Escapade/Genesis as my preferred all-rounder. They aren't known to be the most stiff/responsive bindings, but I never found myself in a situation where I felt they held me back, whether it is to ride fast, do tight tree runs, doing spins off kickers or doing butter tricks. Though I am also a much smaller guy than you are.

 

Capita Merc or Rome Ravine. I have both so I'm a bit biased but both non aggressive boards you wont out grow for a while.


I got the Ravine for a quasi pow board for socal for the 1 time i go up to mammoth or tahoe per year. Otherwise I'm just at big bear.

 

Do you have the regular ravine or the select/pro?

 

How about Yes greats, Yes standard or Salomon dancehaul?

Yes Greats:
+Carving
+Jumps
+Trees
+Switch
- Powder

Yes Standard:
+Carving
+Jumps
+Trees
+Powder

Salomon Dancehaul
+Powder
+Jumps
+Trees
- Switch

 

I have the ravine select 155 and just bought a 158 to see how that does with things. The 155 is just about the perfect daily driver for me. It's stable, damp, does okay in snow, has solid edge hold, and carves well.

I'm hoping the 158 is still playful while being better at everything else.

I'm kinda hoping they release a ravine twin...

 

Hey man, just saw this. I have a good amount of time on all 3 of those decks this season. Did you end up making choice?

 

my aeronaut should be arriving this week, that was such a hard choice

 

I’m about your specs, tiny bit lighter and tiny bit taller. I usually go 158-159ish for all mountain freestyle and 160+ for all mountain freeride