what would you recommend for a first timer on the water? was thinking a Criminal Wood Deck because its only $50. anyone use wood? whats the difference?

I tried Tridude's crazy fly that is low 140s long but over 45 wide. It will plane you off earlier but its pretty easy to get skittered across the water downwind if you get powered up. Second try I used the 151 LF Proof which is a narrower board. It was easy to plane on but while I couldn't yet hold my line, I didn't skip across the water so much either, so I'd recommend you go longer but not crazy wide for your first board. You shouldn't grow out of it so fast either. My 2 cents from a water newbie.