hemlock

One aspect I take from the 4 skiers (and Parrish too) is how close the handle is to their bodies.

@MS I kinda agree. To me, why not have a tournament skier only have one choice... the handle they hold on to. The boat speed control has one setting for every skier.

Upgraded my Stargazer to version 9.12 today (from 8.005, no zbox) on a 2003 Sunsetter LXI. Only $50 US, plus shipping and tax. Huge difference. Didn't have to mess with any background settings. Just did the autocal setup for baselines, and now it engages so nicely and quickly before entering the course. No surges anywhere in the course either. Well done PP!

What's worked for me, is staying in a "ball" as others haven mentioned. Knee tucked tight to chest. Arms straight always. And stay in that ball forever. Both feet in give you better water dynamics and you can cut through it better. One leg out gives you better balance. I prefer both feet in. And maybe you could practice it? Next time you are up on one and having fun skiing, have the driver at the end of your set just slow down the boat back to idle. Get in a ball and hang on as long as you can, of course without stressing yourself.

Sorry if this been discussed before. I've searched but couldn't find any info. Since I first started skiing, it's always been 15' off as the rope length. And you started at a certain speed. But was there ever a time, where tournaments used the full 75' foot length in the course? And when/why did they decide to chop off the last 15' feet? Just curious. :smile:

Wow, yes a douche bag for not helping. Oh, and I gotta ask... what ended up being wrong with your boat, and you don't have paddles in your boat?

I think there is some mind set too. And what I mean by that if you do extend your legs out and get in a stacked position it will feel very scary. Because... you will be fast. And that takes some getting used to. But trust it, and you'll see how early you end up coming up to the next buoy. :)

If you are willing to spend a $1000+ on a plank, buy one that looks cool to you. :smile:

I don't have zbox, but I do have PP with version 9 on my 2003 LXI. What has made a huge difference is the PP tweak that Ed posted awhile back and was also just posted recently here: https://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/19624/when-perfect-pass-isnt-perfecter The key point is #4 where you can adjust pre-gate times, also 1 and 3 ball settings. (If I recall correctly, you press the On/Off and UP key at the same time to get to the settings) This will make a difference on Malibu boats and fixes the surge at 2-3 ball. I forget the actual tweaks without hoping into the boat to check, but a search on the forum might give some adjustment options. Not sure if zbox or your current version has this option, but at least something to try if it's there. :smile:

@ScottScott , There is no handicap in pro golf, and like golf, water skiers compete against a "course", but my point was to look at possibly adopting a "playoff" format in waterskiing... pro waterskiing. There is something special about a playoff atmosphere that inspires not only the athletes, but the fans watching it. And the season leading up to the playoff is exciting. I would watch more online tournaments in waterskiing if there was a season and a playoff run to the cup. :smile:

@aupatking, so does that make the Moomba and Masters the "Majors" of waterskiing? I'm thinking Golf has 4 majors as does Tennis. Are there other tournaments in waterskiing that are considered "Majors"? And speaking of tournaments, it would be cool to see something like the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup in waterskiing where there is a playoff (or a playoff of tournaments near the end) to win the cup. Gain points through the season's tournaments...gain more points for winning a major. :) Earn the ultimate trophy, prestige, and (money? hehe) for winning the cup.

I only run premium fuel (93) because it's the only marked gas I can get in my town. About 1 cent cheaper than regular (87) gas. :smiley:

I've searched, but can't find out what happened to Brooke Baldwin's run. What happened? Edit: I see now she must have missed the gates?

Can someone help with the rules for scoring? I was watching the cast and noticed that Jason McClintock scored 1.5 buoys on one of his passes. I believe the announcer confirmed his score with the judges at the time. To me it looked like only a 1.25 buoy count, but I'm just not clear on how the rule book judges scoring on how the skier rounds the ball. Thanks.

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To @rylons124, forget about the wake. :smile: All 3 event tow boats built in the last 20 years have good wakes. Look for a boat that appeals to you in the driver position, seating all around, color, options, storage, trailering, all that stuff.

FWIW, I have a 2017 Radar Vapor Graphite, with the Radar Vapor front boot and RTP. I've only skied one season on it so far and haven't had a bad wipeout but feel way more confident (and safe) in the boot than I have on any other rubber boots in the past.

It all started when the guy went on the boom with a dangling handle. Get up on the handle, or take it off. grrr. And it's not even a real barefoot handle. :)

A socket wrench doesn't wear out. :wink: The OP has a good question. But I am interested if there's been any experiments on the matter. Has anyone bought two of the exact same ski... skied one for 500 sets, and then pulled the other one out of the plastic bag and skied it? Is there a difference? (I would assume ski manufacturer engineers/designers have done this in some way or another already) I'm guessing the ability for a ski to flex and rebound makes a difference to the performance of the ski. And since a ski isn't made of metal like a socket wrench, it may lose it's ability to flex and rebound over time, or over use. Perhaps it's not just about the shape of the ski that makes a good ski. How important is it for a ski to have that flex and rebound when you make turn after turn? This might be the mind set for the average amateur skier. Let's say you have a $1000 and looking to purchase a new ski. You are a long to middle short line skier... what do you buy? An older pro (best shape and materials) ski with many sets on it? Or a brand new ski, but not with the best design or material?

I'm still trying to figure out the boot placements. :smiley:

+1 for the early 2000 Sunsetter LXI. It was tow boat of the year back then. And, there is a reason you don't see too many for sale. Guys like em'. :smiley:

I lace my Carbitex snug on the bottom and snug on the top. Nothing is tight. Haven't had a bad fall yet either, but feel comfortable/confident that the inner shell will pop out with my foot if I do have a bad crash. Most comfortable boot I've ever had.

Who's ever been to TPC Scottsdale? The famous 16th hole. Wouldn't this be awesome for a waterski event? Yes, it would. How about putting a site right next to a University, provide beer and let the crowds come in?

I've always been in favor of not giving advice, unless it's asked for. :)

Thanks for the info. I admit, I'm surprised a Response doesn't come with Zero Off standard. I assume it's an option if you were to order a new one.