TustinTom

I am no hardcore slalom "course" skier (I am struggling to make 15 off). However, I have both the HO TX Superlite and the Senate Graphite. One of my ski partners had the HO Coex. At those speeds AND in the right hands, those skis are all exceptional in and out of the course. It is truly the Warrior and not the weapon. @Horton has reviews on the Senate, Senate Lithium and Coex/CX. You can watch manufacturer videos of guys (pros) ripping it up on those skis. My impressions, couched with me being 6'4, 255lbs, 50 yrs old TX Superlite: Very forgiving/stable and doesn't sink at 28mph. Plenty of room for me to grow. Trying to learn the course at slower speeds, truly a fast ski when in good body position. Not a ski you can "hook". Not a damp ski (it's a Superlite core). Widest of three. Senate Graphite: Forgiving/stable, Turns great. Fast pretty much everywhere and I will never see it's potential. Fun out of the course at 34-36. A little damper than the Superlite series. HO CX Superlite: From watching my partner ski, and having its wider big brother. This ski is fast, a little harder to get up on (narrower than other two), but turns faster. Again a very competent ski that would never see its potential in our boat. I would say you could easily embrace any of the skis you mentioned, as they all have plenty to offer and are pretty tried and true winners.

Just shot you an email on SIA Thanks, Tom

@Karlbach The Senate C is now called the Senate Graphite. The "C" was for "Carbon" Graphite and ran until 13'. In 14" the Senate was offered in/as Graphite or Alloy. In 15' the Senate was offered in Lithium, Graphite and Alloy. The manufacturers are releasing their new skis now. Expect the entire line up and websites to be updated around December. I have the Profiles on my Senate Graphite and am very happy. The Vapor bindings would be overkill for my ability/needs.

Hi: My 89' 190 runs great. 1 carb rebuild since new. Outside of that, normal maintenance stuff like spark plugs, impellers etc. We have owned since new and when amortized, have basically zero running costs in the boat. My brother in laws 90' 190, with over 1,000 hours (90% salt) runs great. He has 2 carb rebuilds and has replaced the manifolds and risers. Other than that, normal stuff as above. You might try some searches on Carb vs. Fuel Injected, as I remember a couple of nice discussions centered around performance/maint $, etc. If you don't load down the boat, it will pull you out fine. Newer EFI boats (think mid 90's and newer) typically have over 300hp as standard. I'm 250lbs and get up behind a carb'd boat fine. For $5K-$7k, you should get a nice boat with a trailer. Don't expect it to be perfect, but realize upholstery is cheap to replace. Get a boat with some service history or get a PPI done.

Welcome @condorpilot I am a 6'4" and go 250, and ski the course 10-20% of the time. I am on a 69 Senate Graphite. I would think you would 1) want to get the Graphite version and 2) go with the 67". With that much course skiing, you should easily progress to 30-34mph and shorter line lengths. See @Horton 's review.

Great Video & better message. BTW - minute 9:30 DOES PROVE that a pro skier on the proverbial 2x4 can out ski me on the latest and greatest.

+1 @andjules Nothing better than early morning ski/barefoot runs with my brothers/boys, then getting the girls out around 11am for wakeboarding/lunch/drifting/family time all with the boat loaded down - blasphemy. As a 15 offer, 100 lbs doesn't matter (unless it's an ice chest full of bad beer)

@jnicol other considerations in order of distance from Disneyland are: Knott's Berry Farm (15 minutes), Universal Studios (40 minutes) & Magic Mountain (about 1 1/2 hours away). I would not do Magic Mountain on Fri/Sat/Sun especially if you are going to stay through the evening as the crowd can be a little rough. 2nd Tier ideas: The OC Fair, rides/events etc (15 mins away). The Marconi car museum (10 mins). Wild Rivers water park in Irvine (15 mins) The beach is always a good option. If the wife mentions South Coast Plaza or Fashion Island for a quick shopping trip, this is not a good option. However, retain this as bargaining chips for your next ski trip. LOL.

As long as you remember that you "may" get out of it what you put in to it, up to roughly a $5,000 ceiling w/it running/newer interior and trailer. If you spend less than $2,500.....that IS the boat you lend to friends without reservation (driving/docking/drink spills etc). We have a 89' that runs like a cat. 2 carb rebuilds, a couple of batteries & tune up kits along the way. Still on the original steering cable. Very dependable, low/little maintenance for a DIY guy. I ski behind a different/newer boat 90% of the time. But the MC 190 is still great for the times on lake/river with non-ski and ski friends alike. If it get you out on the water a few more times, isn't that worth it?

@MattCL I am pretty sure if you go to www.perfski.com, they have a Radar Rear Universal Plate. I bought my Graphite Senate/with Vectors from them. I too was not a fan of the Vectors (seemed a bit loose on such a high performance ski). The guys/gals at Performance Ski swapped out my Vectors for the Profiles, no problem.

For clarification, my Senate is NOT for sale. Just wanted to let the OP know where my thoughts/recommendation is coming from. Sorry if there was any confusion.

I have a 14' Radar Senate Graphite. I would think given your level/intensity, you will never reach the max performance of the Senate Graphite. I really like the ski (beginner course skier) but love the ski in open water at 34mph. See @Horton 's review under Ski Tests. Another alternative would be the Connelly Carbon V (also a bit wider than their top end ski). The guy I ski with has one and it is a great ski as well.

Pros: At 6'4" and 250 lbs./50 yrs old (not in shape) they are a near must have. I am not sure how much more weight/load they allow me to carry, but I would be DOA without them. This is a view of a struggling 15 offer, who doesn't work out and skis 3x a month. Cons: None for me. I can see @kfennell 's point. If you are in shape and skiing shortline, your speeds/handle/grip loads behind the boat a worlds apart from mine. The "over" load/grip ability of these gloves could bring problems. I am looking forward to that day.

Deer Valley was excellent this past Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues. Snowed most of the time there. They are still low on a annual basis, but skiing was awesome!!

Hi: Do NOT use UAT Lines out of Miami. Damaged my car in delivery from Daytona Beach MB. Also, if it is a new to you purchase, make sure it is Insured before it is picked-up. You may want to ask if it will be "dropped off at a depot/switching station" and picked up by another driver. I think this is where my damage occurred. Regards, Tom

Hi: I skied with Scott about 10 yrs ago. Met him at his ski site. He was on time, and was very patient with the beginner kids and other adult. I was and still am a "beginner" course skier. He had great instruction for everyone. He was also ready from a "first aid" standpoint. One of the kids while getting on a ski cut his calf across a sunken bouy marker (most are marked/known). He was on it with a bacterial infection bottle and bandages. At that time he had a Barefoot Mastercraft for skiing and I think a Supra for Wakeboarders. A personal invitation from @pq2 sounds awesome. Hope this helps. Tom

@ozski‌ - I have been on the Profiles this whole summer. Next time out I will try it with the tongue outside the inner layers. I have been tucking it inside like my snow ski boots. Who knew? I will try it next time out. @scotchipman‌ - you are correct. I am not a big fan and I have the matching Senate Graphite. Some guys have commented on wanting to look more seriously at them if they changed the color. I ski mostly in salt water/leave em out a few hours after hosing off, and they are still VERY bright.

Nate looks like a Tom Cruise water ski stunt double -- doing the Impossible. Great Pic

I am 6'4" and 245 ish. I have a 13' Triumph and a 14 Senate Graphite. I am sure you find the Triumph very stable. I bought the Senate thinking I wanted a "faster" ski. I have quickly learned (coaching & this forum) that my technique needs quite a bit of improvement before I truly put the Triumph in the quiver for choppy water/end of the day runs. It is a lot of ski (size/capability/training/intro course). It becomes a "fast" 30-32mph ski when skied correctly. The Senate is a fractionally wider platform than the Vapor (pretty sure wider than the CoX). By definition, you are already on a Cross Over ski from HO, just not one designed to ski that fast. If you are nailing the course at 34 mph, either ski will be a lot more responsive than the Triumph (it likes to go slower). 2nd: I'd stick with the Carbon or Graphite set up. I am super happy with the Senate Graphite. It's way beyond my abilities. It is a 34MPH "course oriented" ski. @Horton has written recent reviews on both skis from a "course" perspective. I think you would be happy with either choice, but with your size, maybe an edge towards.... Radar?? The other "wider/course" ski to consider would be a Carbon V from Connelly.

Hi Joel: I wouldn't get to hung up on the speed. Again, I think that is for guys in a course, where they can definitely separate out the skis based on speed (which equates to ability). Check out what great skiing at 30mph on Radar P6 looks like (bigger than the Theory): While the above "big ski" is used for training/timing/winter skiing, the form and technique is something I try to emulate when I ski - at whatever speed. I am so happy that Richard posted this, as there is not enough good footage of what slow/deliberate technique looks like. I hear ya on wanting to ski faster.

I would agree with the above. I just bought the Senate Graphite, 69. I'm 6'4" and 240. It skis way beyond my capabilities. I also have a 71 Triumph for learning the course at slower speeds. Regarding the Alloy vs. the Graphite, I would bet a good bit of money that the Alloy is plenty of ski. I feel the dampening of the Graphite is way above par in the small chop. I felt like I need the Graphite due to my weight. The purchase was my incentive to lose 30 lbs (started at 270). Either way you won't go wrong. As you know, most of the guys here are hard core course skiers. They would do fine at 34 mph on either of these skis. For them, it's the warrior not the weapon. Want proof that I will NEVER see the ski's full ability: Check out Hortons review of the Graphite.

+1 for Hot Sauce, but you guys have me changing my mind. It is expensive. @Porkfight‌ I thought the inspection thing was a joke, until I got waived by too (clean boat) and my buddy behind me got pulled over. They checked to make sure his back boat straps on the trailer were secure and wanted to see his Anchor. Crazy ???

It's been in the top tennis racquets for years. I'm sure the Graphene people want it used in as many applications as possible. If I was there sales rep, I'd work the bizillion bottles vs. the one thousand ski order.

@Commuterfisher‌ I could make it. Call me at 949 293 6167 when you are free. Thanks, Tom Bennett

Great work @ctsmith‌ I felt the same on the ski. My body position is absolutely terrible and I am way out of shape. When I even came close to a "stacked" position say 2/10ths of @Horton‌'s pic, the ski did shoot off the wake. Thanks @BMG73‌ It's always open for visitors. Downside is I'm no where near a lake.