LOTW

I've always had my '17 VAPOR ready for early and late season, I could never get my '18 to work in cold water. Hoping my '20 will do both, time will tell. Cold meaning ice out to ice in EH!

Good for you! You're NEVER too old! You'll have a blast and be signing up for more.

As a group we have 15 thru 32 off, 28 - 34 mph skiers, so all over the place but it's all relevant. I'm 28-32 off and usually 32-34mph but because of "the summer of wind" we're having, I've been 28-30 mph trying not to get hurt and work on technique. The main problem here right now is the weather and we're getting out once a week and conditions then are not Florida glass either. It's looking a bit better for this week so fingers crossed!

We ski on an open lake course that often has a lot of wind and boat rollers. I struggle with my gates, when to pull out, exactly when to go, head wind, tail wind, what to do with the handle and more. I've listened to Spraymakers podcast on this at least 6 or 7 times which has been hugely helpful but there's still gaps. At what point do we pull out at the 55's? Tip of the bow, windshield, motor box? How does it change with speed increase and rope length? Same with the turn in? I get that we should still have speed and not be slowing down and/or drifting in but can we have too much speed? Matching boat speed and gate timing always seems to be a gamble. Then throw the wind in there! I'm sorry, but when a head wind is so loud on your ears that you can't hear the boat, it makes a huge difference. Then the tail wind blows you way past one ball, CRAP! A skiers eye view video would be great! What to do with the handle at the turn in on a 2 handed gate? Some, most kinda push it up and out front of themselves, what should we do with it? Again, the podcast has helped a lot and really clarified a lot of things but not all, THANKS guys! Part 2? Another thing, if we hit or go over the right gate ball, is it still good or do we have to totally be inside it? We're not tournament skiers by no means but want to do things right. THANKS all!

On it!

Video would be great for most of these. I struggle with my gates, when to pull out, exactly when to go, head wind, tail wind, what to do with the handle and more.

X2, great to deal with!

Not United specific but in my experience, which is limited, it all depends on the ck. in person. I have a first bag free deal with West Jet and sometimes the Sportube rolls right through and the next I get dinged for oversize and have to fight for a refund later. Doesn't seem to matter if you know the rules or not, they have the power and travel is stressful enough without adding an argument in right at the start. Smile, be friendly and polite, it goes a long way! It helps if you use a travel agent and then they can deal with the hassle if it happens.

I'd have to ad that it's the whole experience not just the coaching or skiing, it's just so darn cool going to a ski school! Skiers are great people, ya never know who's going to be there, new boats and gear everywhere. And unlike Canada, it's warm and no wind, the whole scene is over the top! Bucket list stuff for sure!

ALWAYS poke a nail in through the hole, EVERY hole! Rust and crap can accumulate on the inside and plug the hole from the inside. The trapped water can/will crack your block. This has happened to me and was a complete bummer!

I am not a talented super short line skier but, I noticed the difference on the very first pull out. I also have had lower back problems prior to using the rope and nothing as bad since. It's a great rope and my spine gets nervous each time I'm attached to something else!

On our lake, the guys on the marine unit get it and if you call them, they will come and shut these guys down. Us skiers are generally an older and more respectful group with a good relationship with the police. Our course is in a small, undeveloped bay 10 minutes from town. Our lake does have a distance restriction from shore but since we're not bothering anyone, they look the other way. Most people like to watch us and would rather toss shit balls at the wakesurfers! They are creating they're own mess, they're not all bad either. We are lucky! So far.....

So what are the options if we wanted to purchase a guard for an existing handle? Price? I know this may be in a previous post but. Seems like one of the cheapest investments in this rediculously expensive and short seasoned sport that could prevent a major injury or worse.

Still using, works great! Noticeable difference on the first ride. Would not go back to stock. Have not tried the CG.

I've tried many but not all over the years, I think sizing is very important as well as break in. They feel and work differently once well broken in. Some gloves, usually the Kevlar are much harder on my hands especially in warm, Orlando, water. We usually have much cooler water in Canada and poor conditions so we don't get the consecutive days of skiing in, especially this year! One thing that does annoy me is when gloves get wet and start to slip off, they all seem to do this once you're skiing. Yes, Kevlar eats the handle, the amara feel good but don't seem to grip as well and harder on your hands. I'm 11 sets into a set of Stealth gloves, quite happy, taking some break in time and they are sliding down off my hands while skiing. What I really wish for is this cold, windy, rainy weather to leave and to be able to sit around and complain about my callouses and worn out gloves!

Not sure what you have in the US but we use covers made of Sunbrella, the stuff breaths and the carpet is dry the next day. Gear too, quite something! No mold etc. either.

An enviable position, congratulations! Let us know what you buy.

Sandpaper, various grits.

What's the deal with the C65 vs. C75 regarding sizing? I get that the 75 is the same length with different widths for S, M, L but is that different for the 65? Does the 65 use the same sizing as other manufactures like 66", 67" 68"?

I did try to contact the Canadian distributor this past winter, I can't remember now if I spoke with the guy in Washington or both and they were getting me a price. Still waiting for a response, business must be booming!

Our Acufloat stays in all year. We sink it in the fall and pull it up in the spring, stays up for about 5 months. Very little maintenance really.

Nice boat! Ontario?

I have a minty '95, first year of fuel injection, the thing is great! Installed Stargazer and away we go. I always look at other boats and seems that they are coming down in price but again, my '95 is just fine for us. Keep up on your yearly maintenance and have fun.

I unfortunately, cracked the block on my MOOMBA. I used JB to seal it up and it usually lasted for a couple of months at a time, cheap fix! Clean it really well and V out the crack with a grinder if possible or at least sand the paint off down to bare metal. The JB I used was a 2 part putty type and not the liquid. Again cheap and short term, might be the easiest route.

Thanks Mike, I knew there was some non conforming but again, I know little about them. An evolving process and not based on timelines I get that.