2024 Radar Vapor Review - first rides

[Horton]

I mounted up the pretty new Radar this week & I took my first real rides on it today. This review is going to be fun. The ski is unique. I think I am going to like it a lot.

The darn thing is FAST and when I say fast I mean low effort everywhere. It is not overly fast at apex but it is super fast through centerline or at least that is my first impression. 

With the settings I am starting with, OnSide turns are ridiculous.   

It is hard not to get super excited when a ski feels great for the first few rides.  

Say tuned.

[tjm]

What settings did you start with 

[Horton]

67

2.480

6.945

.750

9

29 7/8th

[jjackkrash]

So you are running more fin surface area than either stock setting.  Is that normal for you or did you get a tip on setup?  

[Horton]

@jjackkrash I got these numbers from somebody who already had some experience on the ski. I not saying those numbers are ideal but I did like them better than the stock long shallow. You never know after some time on the ski I might migrate back to the stock long shallow. I'm just getting started.

[KRoundy]

Not to get too personal here, but about what do you weigh these days? Thinking about the 67" ski length.

[Horton]

@KRoundy

182 this morning 

[KRoundy]

@Horton OK. Thx.

[whitem71]

@Horton be good to get your thoughts on how it compares to the outgoing model. When I got the 22 it instantly felt a little slower/ smoother /longer than my previous Vapor, a 2017, which was a rocket ship so was slightly disappointed.

If it’s a mega upgrade I’m going to have an expensive dilemma 🙄

[UWSkier]

1 hour ago, whitem71 said:

@Horton be good to get your thoughts on how it compares to the outgoing model. When I got the 22 it instantly felt a little slower/ smoother /longer than my previous Vapor, a 2017, which was a rocket ship so was slightly disappointed.

If it’s a mega upgrade I’m going to have an expensive dilemma 🙄

friend of mine is riding the 2024 and finding it noticeably faster side to side than the 22/23 shape.

[Mastercrafter]

I also feel that the 2024 ski builds width and space before the buoy easier than my 2022. Not sure if it’s really faster, or just more efficient and easier to get there. Vapors feel super fast already compared to everything else I’ve tried. 

[Horton]

Last few weeks have been a blur of tournaments and travel. Not the best way to get dialed on a new ski.

Anyway, I have 3 rides so far this week at home behind my normal boat and things are clicking. I am nowhere near knowing the exact details of the final review but the ski is really good. Everything is easy. I have dropped the extra 32 I normally before shortening the line because 32 and 35 are so darn effortless. ( Instead of starting at 28, I almost always run two 32s and then shorten ) 

 

[Jaypro]

that looked pretty effortless, @Horton, nice skiing

 

[Bdecker]

Looks great, are you still at the same fin setting?  I’ve been taking out tip and seem to be somewhere between long/shallow and short/deep.   Curious if you’ve made changes 

[Horton]

I am a version of Short Deep now. I know some skiers that LOVE the long shallow but it just does not work with my Off Side.

[C5Quest]

Just got mine,  first ride tomorrow 

starting with stock long/shallow

Edited September 1, 2023 by C5Quest

[C5Quest]

Wow this thing wants to turn!  Got a quick set in today.  Stock L/S shallow settings.   May try S/D but started where recommended.   More reports later but right up to my average of mid -32 .  Less effort in turns and fast across course.  

Edited September 1, 2023 by C5Quest

[Horton]

try for 67

2.500

6.860

.755

29 7/8

[Mastercrafter]

I switched to S/D and really like it so far. Definitely worth a try, whether going with factory numbers or Hortons. 

[C5Quest]

@Horton I have a 66.  Can I use those numbers except go .750 DFT?

[Horton]

yeppers 

[C5Quest]

 Looking at the numbers for a 67 you moved Bf 1/8.   Going to try 29 3/8

Edited September 2, 2023 by C5Quest

[Mateo_Vargas]

@Horton Short & Deep? I always thought you were a Short & Cheap kinda guy. I liked those numbers today.

[teammalibu]

Mine showed up yesterday hope to ride it soon! If I get a good score first round today I may boot it up for round 2.

[Horton]

it seems like the ski is sensitive to boot placement. I've been exploring, forwards and backwards a 10th of an inch at a time. I'm not very far from stock but a little bit makes a big difference.

[Ali]

@Horton what are you feeling different with the boot movement front and back?

[Horton]

@Ali i was tweaking the amount of tail slide before apex. Binding forward means less slide and slightly less angle.

[C5Quest]

I moved back to Bf 29 3/8s on my 66.  still experimenting.  Was on L/S settings,  just switched to S/Dish. Haven't ridden it yet but will give it a go tomorrow.  Are you still split in the middle @Horton? I'll try the S/D with 29 1/4 next.  It's an interesting ride for sure.  

[Horton]

There are some issues with the skiing but darn the ski makes space

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