ChadW

@OB I set my practice PB of 1.5@38 last year skiing with Rini. To some extent, I do have the mentality "if I can consistently get into 38off, then I would have a respectable enough score to ski in a tournament." The other major factor is the time commitment. Right now I don't golf because it takes 4 hours. I can walk out the back door and take a slalom set with my ski buddies and be done in an hour. My wife would kill me if I left the house every other Saturday to ski in a tournament that requires 6-8 hours of my time.

I love slalom skiing. I've never skied a tournament. I ski because it's fun, it's an amazing workout and it satisfies my competitive nature (chasing buoys and achieving practice PBs). I grew up free skiing...slalom, trick and jumping wakes on old wooden combos (pretending I was jump skiing). Skiing was a big part of my childhood and our family. We always had a nautique, always skied on public water, but didn't have access to a course or jump. I don't feel like I'm missing much by not skiing in tournaments. My slalom buddies have become great friends and my family ( wife and 2 young kids) enjoy getting out on the lake together. When I think about tournament skiing, it feels too time consuming. I can't see leaving my wife and kids all day to ski in a tournament, and the last thing my wife wants to do is drag the family to a lake and sit around waiting for daddy to ski. Part of me wants to ski tournaments, but they seem overwhelming. FWIW, I thought it may be helpful to hear the perspective of someone who doesn't tournament ski, but takes 3-4 sets/week and spend enormous amounts of money on this sport.

@dtm8119 FYI - The spacers allow the plate to float so the ski flexes more. For me that translated into too much bite at the finish of the turn. They are something you can play with. If you decide to use them, they go under the sequence plate and you are supposed to use them in the front and rear, not the middle. I've also heard of people using them in the front only. Have fun, it's a great setup!

Use the bigger black screws for the front and middle. Matt Rini does not recommend using the spacers (the 4 silver things). The small plate and 4 small screws are for the back of the sequence plate. Not sure about the clearish washers, I didn't get those.

I tried to switch to an RTP last spring, but I didn't like it. To me, the ski felt different every pass because of the free feel of the RTP. Buy it and try it, if it doesn't work I'm sure you can return it. That's what Performance did for me.

@thager I'm not a promo guy and I agree with @skierjp. I owned a 2000 196 from 06-14, and I loved it. I've had a 200 for 6 months and there is no way I'd go back to the 196.

2 weeks ago I tore my MCL. It happened on my opening pass, I got out of position going to 2 ball (lean-locked). I thought I could manage it, but I went OTF instead. Back foot released, front foot didn't. Fortunately, I didn't damage the meniscus and the MCL heals itself, therefore I don't need surgery. Doc says I'll be able to ski in 2 weeks.

The finals are on lake Ivanhoe with a 4 buoy course. The prelims are at lake grew where the water ski hall of fame is...6 buoy course.

@Bill22 If you haven't do so, heat mold the liners; that should eliminate the slip.

I'm a 34mph skier and weigh 175. I ride the 66.

I think @SkiJay skied his first 35 right before I skied my first 35 yesterday. Matt said it was cool to pull 2 people through their first 35s in one day. @SkiJay, you were right, that lake was magic yesterday...or Matt is magic.

I've often read on this site, spend money on professional coaching instead of buying a new ski. I was somewhat skeptical of that advise until now. With my hacker ski buddies, I've been able to run 32off this season after being stuck at 4@32off for a year and a half. After running 32off, I set a practice PB of 3@35off. Then I started getting coaching from Matt Rini. I had my 3rd set with him this morning and set a new practice PB of 1.5@38off, 34mph. thanks Matt!

@nski I just upgraded from a 196 to a 200. I would say the wake is different, but not necessarily smaller than my old 196. The 200 wake feels softer and the trough is less. The biggest difference I've noticed is how nice the 200 drives. I justified the upgrade by telling myself and my wife that we needed an open bow.

I've been skiing with Matt Rini as of late. He describes exactly what Horton just said. When I do it right, the line stays tight, excess body movement is eliminated, and I can just hold on and let the boat swing me back and forth.

Thomas Moore is still skiing in the central Florida area. He skis on a lake I used to keep my boat on.

Contact Matt Rini to find out for sure. I personally ski year round and I'd assume he does as well.

@jdk99‌ I bought a 14 promo and my throttle works fine. I was worried about it due to this thread, but after driving it, my worries were gone. I've had close to 10 people drive it and no one has had an issue. Test drive the boat first and then make your decision. PM me if you want my number, I'd be happy to talk more.

@JWebSki‌ The liners are thicker in the vapor boots and the later model stradas. The black liners are in the newer boots, the gray liners are thinner and were used in the earlier model stradas. That's what accounts for the sizing difference. I've used both models.

The vapors have a thick liner, go with the 12. I wear a 9 running shoe and I found the vapor 10 fit better, especially after heat molding.

@GaryWilkinson‌ It's his own site. 2 courses and 1 ramp. Good protection from east and west winds. A north wind will chop up the lake.

@GaryWilkinson‌ Rini's place is south of the airport 13500 Orange Ave. It's basically at the intersection of the 417 and the Turnpike. I would definitely try and get there.

@Stevie Boy I'm not sure if the lake has a name. It's a triangular shaped, small body of water that was made during the construction of nearby roads. It's in south orlando at the intersection of the 417 toll road and The Turnpike.

I skied at Matt Rini's place today and it was awesome! Great site, great boat and amazing coaching. This was my second time receiving professional coaching. The first time was 3 years ago. I wasn't expecting much today, but I was blown away with Matt's approach. His observations were spot-on and his coaching tips were easy to understand and implement. The result was the best set of my life. I ran 5 of 6 passes, including back to back 32off passes (a first for me), one of which was so easy I couldn't believe it. If you are visiting central Florida, a set at Rini's place is a must!

I want to take down 35off next year in practice and also enter my 1st tournament.

My ski partner just sent his Goode N1 back due to a catastrophic break after less than 1 year of use. To Goode's credit, they are sending him a new one. I've skied Radar products for the past 4 years and have never had a problem.