DaveinPa Posted June 24, 2018 Share Posted June 24, 2018 So the last few years I have been struggling getting up on one ski, just bought a new Radar Butterknife hoping that will help at age 69; rec skiing only. Current Four Winns boat is an outboard so tow rope is hooked to a harness that is hooked to the rear lifting eyes on boat. No pylon options for this boat other than custom except for a "Turboswing" that will cost me $700 plus install. My question to all the pros on this forum is; will getting the tow rope roughly 24 inches higher that it already is make that big a difference "getting me up"? Don't want to have one installed if it won't. Have not been skiing yet this year, maybe next week so hopefully the new ski will make the difference but still curious about the rope height. Thanks for any advice, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveinPa Posted June 24, 2018 Author Share Posted June 24, 2018 Thanks! Appreciate your input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted June 24, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2018 Trim down all the way - put as many riders including the spotter in the bow as possible for the pull up. Spotter can move back once you get up. Make sure your binding is in the right spot front to back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted June 24, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2018 Main thing is to make sure you are propped for torque. When we had our previous boat, a 3.0l i/o it made a world of difference in the pull up switching to a 4 blade alpha prop. Lost a little top speed, but we didnt nedd to be going 50 anyways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveinPa Posted June 24, 2018 Author Share Posted June 24, 2018 #oldjeep Yes 4 bladed prop is being looked at, Thanks! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eleeski Posted June 24, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2018 Having skied behind a tower a fair amount, it does actually help unload the starts. Get a nice wakeboarding tower, shorten up to 28 off and you will get some lift on the start. However, I've never had a newbie get up because of the tower. It's not magic. An easy up handle is more effective - even for good skiers that struggle with starts. Slaloming from a tower is a challenge to drive. But for recreational skiing behind an outboard it will probably be fine. Easier rope handling. Your wakeboarding friends and family will enjoy a tower. Go for it regardless! Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ScottScott Posted June 24, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2018 I agree that a tower height will help, not sure you will see much difference from just 24" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller TEL Posted June 25, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 25, 2018 Shorten up the rope it will help with the start. look at your wakes at speed and shorten to there 50' or so of rope should help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ScottScott Posted June 25, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 25, 2018 He never really said the boat didn't have enough power to get him up. Just because it's an outboard doesn't mean it doesnt have enough power to get on plane. It could be, but I ski behind a friend's 18' bowrider with a Yamaha 115 outboard that will pull the handle out of my hands if given full throttle. I had a heavier bow rider with a 3L I/O and it would drag me for quite a while, but I learned to get up no problem. If a slow pull up is the issue, then the higher attachment could slow the boat from planing. If you have enough power, then the higher attachment could help pull you up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eleeski Posted June 25, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 25, 2018 The start from the blimp was awesome. I was worried that I would be pulled off into the sky. But the start was easy. A blimp might be overkill... Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GregHind Posted June 25, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 25, 2018 I often use a short rope about 40ft on the tower to teach people slalom it makes starts a LOT easier. My boat is an outboard and holds the lake record for the number of skiers deep start behind one boat. At the limit, the tower does lift the nose up and reduce pulling power, But the question is are you near the limit? I don’t think a ski pole will help much but it should be a lot nicer to ski behind once you are up. Have you ever tried dropping a ski? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller OldboyII Posted June 25, 2018 Baller Share Posted June 25, 2018 I know few skiers who learned water start behind a jetski from zero level . So probably height of attachment is not an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveinPa Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share Posted June 25, 2018 All super info, confirming may of my thoughts. Power is not a problem (150 hp. 2 stroke) I did used to drop a ski, learned that way in my teens. New ski (more surface) shortened rope to 60 foot, bought gloves and we shall see what happens in the next week or so. Also bought a Oneil USCG jacket that should float me higher, and last 8 weeks at a fitness gym working on 68 year old core!! Thanks everyone, love this site and knowledge! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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