NoProblem Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 New member. First post. This seemed like the best spot to post this. I recently scooped up a couple skis and I'm having trouble finding any good info on them. First is the EP Comp 2GK. Dual plates in excellent condition. A few dings on the top and some discoloration on the tip but otherwise beautifully preserved. The vinyl feels brand new. The other is a Maha 2001. It's in really good shape too. Bindings are great. I don't think they are the Mr "M" but I'll have to look at the Maha site again. Pretty sure the are the comp plates. Not adjustable. Has the aluminum fin. Really any info is good info. Years, correct option identification, value, cool stories. Anything. This is my fourth EP I now own and my second Maha. I've got a few other sticks as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted March 24, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 24, 2015 Cool older skis but I don't know much about them other than you will be doing yourself a disservice if you seriously ski on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 They are just additions to the collection. I ride an HO Vengeance as a daily driver. The wife still likes these older skis though. She rides an old Jobe Spectra 1500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted March 24, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted March 24, 2015 The EP Comp 1 was one of the most revolutionary skis of its day. The Comp 1 was a concave bottom ski, while its companion, the X2, was a tunnel concave. The Comp 1 is considered by many to be one of the greatest skis ever, relative to its time. I'm not familiar with the Comp 2, but I note that it is a tunnel concave, and therefore speculate that it either preceded or followed the X2 (probably followed) and had many of the X2's characteristics. The other remarkable EP's are the Stiletto, produced in the 80's and early 90's (after the G3's reasonably unremarkable run), and of course their honeycomb jumpers that were both lighter and more durable than anything else on the market at the time. It was amusing to see skiers sponsored by other ski companies riding EP jumpers with EP's graphic painted over and someone else's stenciled on. I am less familiar with the Maha. The binding is definitely a Mr. M (which I used on my EP jumpers and trick skis in the 70's and 80's), and I would guess that the ski is a late 70's , early 80's vintage, maybe a little later. Bob LaPoint won Worlds on a wood Maha in 1980 according to Maha's web site. I think Maha stopped making cutting edge tournament skis in the 80's and focused on the speed skiing business, although Bob continues to make a wooden slalom ski. Another interesting fact about your Maha is that you have a heel cup for your RTP, allowing you to get out of the water with one foot out, kick in and then lift the heel cup into place, giving you some of the benefits of a double high wrap while still allowing the skier to get up with one foot out. This was a really great system "back in the day" (I used it on my Mastercraft Super Star in the mid to late 80's), but it would cause problems in any but the longest of the man made lakes of today. Between the two skis, my guess is that the Maha is the better/rarer find. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted March 24, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 24, 2015 The Maha is from 1978. That rear heel isn't the cup, it's the "Special High Heel". Here's a scan from a brochure I got from Maha back then with the info on the ski: I think that EP is early 80's. I had a 78 Comp 1 - it was also tunnel concave. I'll dig in my old ski box and see if I can find more info on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted March 24, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 24, 2015 I just re-read the Maha write up... it's "... the last ski you'll have to buy." ... now I sure wish I had bought it back then, I could've saved myself a bundle. It was only $208 for the "super ski" version in Overton's catalog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted March 24, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted March 24, 2015 The tail in the Maha brochure is very narrow. I guess the ski otherwise rode quite high and they needed to go to extremes to get it to set into the water. The heel cup I was describing was around as tall as the rear rubber on an older double high wrap, maybe a little lower. Of course it didn't have the wraps, which facilitated kicking into the RTP. You could step on the heel cup to press it to the side and kick in over it. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted March 24, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 24, 2015 @lpskier I think the brochure has an (very) inaccurate artist rendering of the ski. If you look at the picture the tail is narrow, but certainly not as extreme at the drawing :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Thanks for the replies. Good stuff. I've got a Comp 1. I've had many offers on it. Not for sale. It was my fathers. You can see it in its original orange case in the last pic. The Superformer above it was my mothers and Superformer above that was my first personal slalom ski. I got it for my 10th birthday. I was STOKED. Up to that point I had to ride "family" skis. The Comp 2GK seems like kind of a rare duck and there is next to no info on the web about them. A friend texted me a picture of it and I went down and bought it a couple hours later. The Maha was sitting there with it. I couldn't pass it up. I've never been a Maha guy but, since acquiring a real nice wood one a couple years ago, I figured I'd make an offer on it and see what would happen. I offered $50 for both and they said ok. I guess I'm collecting Mahas now. Thanks for that scan dchristman. Thats the first "pic" (obviously drawn) of that funky vinyl graphic I've seen. It doesn't show the tail graphic though. I wonder if that was an option. The ski itself is the last ski I bought. B) Probably won't be the last though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted March 24, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 24, 2015 Great collection. I have that same vest that I got when I was 12 I think along with the 64" Comp 1 that it matched that I got at the same time. I still have some older stuff around including what I think is a first generation Connelly HP, a Stinger with a Maja binding on it, a pair of Connelly Wide Track tricks that are all beat up from use and some wooden skis that unfortunately my dad painted over. One of them was a Northland Bantam that I learned to ski the course on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted March 25, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 25, 2015 I could swear that the 2001 Maha came out when I was a sophomore in high school. That was 1972. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted March 25, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 25, 2015 @thager must be 1975 - I got the brochure March of 78 and the write up says "since the 2001's introduction three years ago...". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted March 25, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 25, 2015 Possible but I remember ads showing a truck on those skis mounted across cinder blocks. Maybe the top sticker/name was added in 75? Also those skis were constructed of hollow fiberglass beams. No foam. Or I have dimensia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Alright! I contributed to discussion! Right on. Chef! You spotted the vest. It's been in the family since it was new. I've got a photo of my uncle wearing it circa '79. Beautiful beach start behind one of the coolest flat bottoms ever to exist, The Wicked Witch. A Hallet Barron Sprint with a BBC and a necked lady on the deck. It was super rad. A sunset rip with a beach start and drop off followed by speed pass from the Witch. Man those were good days. It was the first picture I ever really took. ...ya, vest. You also said Northland Bantam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 Ipskier- The tail is really narrow. Hell, the whole ski is really narrow. Its got a really narrow forebody that tapers back to about the arch of the front foot and then tapers sharply back to the tail. It's almost a diamond shape. Classic LaPoint? ...or beginning Classic LaPoint? Genius mistake? I'm not familiar with anything previous Maha 2001 (now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted March 25, 2015 Author Share Posted March 25, 2015 thager- Ya, hollow beams. It's really light. The EP next to it is a tank compared to it. I'm guessing at least a couple pounds difference. It was the first thing that caught my attention when I grabbed it. While writing this I've got the boobtube on. Who pops on the screen? Why it's the #1 super guy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted March 25, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 25, 2015 @thager maybe you don't have dimensia. The brochure has no printed date on it. I was going by the postmark on the envelope it came in... perhaps they sent me an old brochure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller PatM Posted March 25, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 25, 2015 The EP looks mid 80's. I had the EP GX3 and the graphics are the same but in a different color scheme. I believe this was the step down from the GX3. In it's day the GX3 was fast but did not turn well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eleeski Posted March 25, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 25, 2015 The Maha that a friend had would barely float. Hollow construction with beams carrying the load. Not a light ski at all. The wooden Mahas were excellent skis as were the EP Comp 1s. While these were the best in the time, the new skis are actually much better. Eric Ps it's dementia but the ads did have the Maha supporting a truck. Heavy over built ski. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted March 26, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 26, 2015 @eleeski do you mean @thager is actually afflicted or are you referring to the miss-spelling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted March 26, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 26, 2015 Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 Eleeski- You're right, not light ski in the grand scheme of things but, it's lighter than I expected it to be. I have much newer skis that are definitely heavier. It's certainly a cool piece for the mid 70s if nothing else. Like most of my skis, this one is just wall art now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jordan Posted March 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 28, 2015 When I was a teenager I wanted that Maha 2001 in the worst way. My dad decided to surprise me and my brother with a new ski. He bought us the wood one...he told us it was the same price, and that the wood one must be better than a fibreglass one...lol...still have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted March 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 28, 2015 At some point, the Comp X2 was yellow and orange, and EP's top ski. I think I bought my first one around 1975-1977 range, so not sure when the pictured X2 GK came out. I know that I bought 2 and the last one had a curved swerve graphic vs the original strsight one. My guess is the GK with kevlar came out in early 80's. Shortly thereafter, the Stilletto must have came out as the top of the line. The original black ones were the bomb. After EP was sold, the purple ones were not as crisp for me. The story I heard was that the older gentleman who hand made the original Stilletto did not want to relocate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Cool pic skibrain. I'd say you're dead on with the value. It's only worth what I paid for it. No matter. I couldn't just leave it at the Salvation Army Store. Again, thanks for all the replies. They've been informative and entertaining. Good stuff. We might have to get into some Taperflex talk. I've only got one (confirmed). It was however my grandfather's. I might have another but, it has no markings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller estrom Posted March 31, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 31, 2015 I believe the "2001" became the "38 off" which became the "Stiff". I still have the Stiff which I used for 25 years. Also have a "360" which might be the best ski made for teaching beginners how to slalom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 From August 1985 Water Ski magazine ad: From 1980 Maha brochure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted April 1, 2015 Author Share Posted April 1, 2015 You found it! So '85 for the EP. Awesome. Thanks dchristman! Are we still on '75 for the Maha or '78? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jordan Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 That Maha advert is great....one size for 100-200 pounds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller estrom Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 The '38 Off' became the 'Stiff' around '83-84ish I'm guessing. I got mine in '85. Bob changed his focus to speed skiing after the Stiff. I'm surprised no one has come up with his ad containing Suzanne Somers, although it would have to be a link, this being a family site and all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 @NoProblem I found that Maha actually has the brochure that I scanned on their website. My postmark says they mailed it to me spring of '78 but the brochure is actually from '77: mahaskis.com/pdf/Maherajah_1977_Catalog.pdf Since the text says "since it's introduction three years ago" the puts it between '74 and '77. I guess that's the final word on the Maha unless it has a serial number that can tell us the actual year... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dchristman Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 @estrom the Stiff ski is alongside the 66/38 on the '82 brochure: mahaskis.com/pdf/Maherajah_1982_Mailer.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller estrom Posted April 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 1, 2015 Thanks @dchristman. I knew it was sometime in the early '80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 I can't find a serial number on the Maha. I haven't pulled the rubber of the fin yet though. I'm worried I won't be able to get it back on or worse yet, tear it. I assume they are removable. Any idea what the proper fin removal sequence is for a '74-'77 Maha 2001 with the aluminum fin? Question on the 66 38. What is the little yellow button looking thing right in front of the front binding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted April 2, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted April 2, 2015 This item caught my eye in that ad: "Shown with Optional Special High Heel". Perhaps the little yellow button is the first GoPro mount. :) The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jordan Posted April 2, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 2, 2015 The yellow button was for a different binding that Maheraja had in the 80's. They made an adjustable binding that was quite clever, in that the front half of the binding moved forward, while the heel stayed fixed in place. The idea was that the ankle and thus the weight of the skier would be in the same place on the ski regardless of foot size. The yellow "button" was a stop for the sliding forefoot piece. They probably grabbed a production ski with that adjustable binding and switched it for the better binding for the photo shoot, leaving the stop on the ski. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller estrom Posted April 2, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 2, 2015 @NoProblem if the rubber piece is not dry or brittle, it can be removed. Each end of the rubber cover has a groove underneath and is made to be pulled/stretched and then lifted up. It might be easier to explain in reverse...to put it on, slide one end into place and then pull/stretch the other end over the fin block and the rubber than "shrinks" back into place. Clear as mud? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted April 2, 2015 Author Share Posted April 2, 2015 Ahhh. Thanks Jordan. That makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil2360 Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 I can add a little more about the Comp-X2. Got mine back in 1979 and a few years back found this.... (From Powerboat magazine, April 1978). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil2360 Posted April 9, 2015 Share Posted April 9, 2015 Interesting test specs @Horton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted April 9, 2015 Author Share Posted April 9, 2015 @estrom Sorry, I missed your post. The rubber feels factory fresh. It seems like it's been hermetically sealed in some vault. Actually both skis are that way. Really strange for being in the desert. Would the serial number be under the fin assembly on this ski? I'd hate to even risk pulling the rubber off without knowing if it's there or not. Again, thanks to everyone contributing to this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller estrom Posted April 20, 2015 Baller Share Posted April 20, 2015 @NoProblem Good question about the serial number. I don't know the answer to that. If I think about it, I'll pull the rubber off mine next time I'm at the boat and see if that's where the serial number is located. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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