hemlock

@mopowpow Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear hubby likes it. I've skied in the course for 25 years. I'm in my early 40's now, and I've only ever owned two skis. My first was a Connelly HP that I had as a teenager and rode that forever. Finally upgraded that to an HO NOS in 2009. I'm ever so close to getting to the blue monster, so thought a new ski would help. Grateful of the all information from ballers giving feedback on the gear over the last few years. Lots to read through, and fun!

Looking for a review of the 2017 Radar Vapor Graphite. This is a ski that I'm considering to get this year. I'm far away from a dealer to demo it, so it will be a buy and try. In fact as of today, after googling, and checking Radar's 2017 brochure (hard to tell what the graphite ski is in the photo), there isn't one single picture of anyone skiing this ski any where. :smile: Or is the 2017 Vapor graphite exactly the same as the 2016 but with new graphics? I could check reviews on the 2016 in that case. Thanks!

My sunglasses would have been lost before the gates. :smile:

My favorite was this one.. "Suck my wake". :smile:

How does the vMax boot release a skier's foot after a bad fall?

I preferred to remove the rpm gauge (for the PP gauge) on my boat for two reasons: 1. My speedo is in mph yet I run my PP in kph, so I have access to both speed readouts. 2. It's nice to see a needle for speed when just cruising and not pulling a skier. Since the PP shows a digital rpm, you don't lose the engine readout but you can also tell by the sound of the engine of what your rpm's are close to. Just my preference. :smile: Oh, and I almost forgot... I think the mini Malibu LCD screen was on the speedo so I was probably forced to remove the rpm gauge regardless. :wink:

I'm jealous of all of you. To put it in perspective, I've owned a 2003 Malibu Sunsetter lxi since new, and I finished this season with 410 hours on the boat. :)

We usually say "OK" followed by the drivers name.

I asked perfski for a ship quote, and Bill responded promptly. Great service. They seem to have the best prices I can find online thus far. I've bought my vest via Shuswap and they have great service too. I'm currently riding an HO NOS from about 5 years ago. I have an animal front boot, with RTP, but recently had a crazy crash across the wakes which is unusual. (I'm 41 and have skied competitively since I was a teenager, although I haven't been to a tournament in the last while) I felt I had good position and was clear to pass the wakes without issue, but something caught edge, took a header, and I had the wind knocked out of me while I slammed across the water. So now, I'm 2nd guessing my ski. I'm 5'11 and 180 and my NOS is a 67". I like it, but would like something more in control. I'm skiing better than I ever have, and am wondering if it's time to upgrade my gear. The HO direct connect system is of interest. I feel comfortable running 28' off, but feel 32 and 35 are within reach. Anyway, I'm shopping, not necessary buying, but shopping. Damn, the new skis are expensive. But it seems at the end of the summer there might be some good sales. Thanks again for everyone's feedback!

Yes, the exchange rate will bite into the savings for sure. But as far as I can tell, there is no duty on waterskis since it is made in the US. Can anyone confirm this? I would just have to pay exchange, pay shipping, and my local tax. Pricing out the HO ski looks to be around $1456 US. Add exchange, moves it to $1892 CAD, plus local tax moves it to $2119 CAD final price. The same gear with free shipping from shushwap is $2345. So, it's not too far off. :smiley: If you add 10% for warranty costs (Shipping back to US in case of warranty claim) then the pricing is practically on par.

Perfski has the HO VtypeR on for $1087 US. Shuswap has it for $1779 CAD. That's almost $700 difference. Just need to figure out what shipping costs are, plus any other fees(duty?) and taxes.

I'm looking at getting new ski gear, (slalom ski and bindings) and am wondering what extra costs might be on top of shipping? Any Canadians order from a US site to get gear shipped up? US prices seem quite lower than local store pricing. Thanks!

Forget 5 or 6 buoys. Keep your arms tight to your chest and run 2 buoys. Arms to chest, on both sides of your pull. Arms to chest! Practice this, and 6 will be a breeze.

Personally, I wouldn't tow anything unless it's on the main pylon. Heard stories of gelcoat cracking when towing from the center rear hook.

Yes, sorry. Not sure if I got the order correct, and I can't exactly remember what the factory settings were. Don't forget you can modify these for each skier weight category, and each speed, IIRC.

Just to add some info... I'm running SG with version 8.0.5. Here are my settings for Gate, Ball 1 and Ball 3 at 55kph.(34mph) 25, 18, 20 Made a big difference. (The key setting I think was reducing the Ball 1 setting from factory at about 80 down to 18) As before, there was a huge surge mid course. Try that to see if it helps.

Check the StarGazer tuning info here. I had to modify the ball times from the factory settings on my Malibu. Once dialed in, the passes are more smooth.

I haven't ordered yet. I'm wondering if I should try one on before I buy, but there probably won't be sales by the time I get down to a place that sells them. (7 hour drive) Some conflicting sizing on the Radar Vapor... @Waternut (42") find the Small size (spec'd at 31-34" chest) too big, and @gregy (39") finds the Medium (spec'd at 34-37") too small. Now what? :smiley: I would prefer a tighter fit to a looser one for sure, and I've heard others say always get one size smaller than a normal fit as it will loosen up somewhat when it's wet. Should I look at an Eagle? They have some cool graphics and maybe their sizing charts are more accurate?

Thinking about ordering a new vest online for the weekend specials. Was looking at the Radar Vapor comp vest. Is it still recommended to get one size smaller as it will stretch a bit when in the water? I'm about 40-41" chest, so thinking Medium size.

Tough to say. How steep is the incline? Think about getting your boat out. If that looks do-able, I'm sure you're good to go.

Mike Kjellander was my hero when I first starting water skiing at a young age. At that time, it seemed Mike and Andy were the guys to beat at any world class tournament. I had(and still have) so much respect for both guys. Fast forward 30 years or so... youtube is invented.... and there is Andy still kicking slalom ass, giving back to the world his knowledge about waterskiing. I raise my Johnny Walker glass to you Andy.

Yes, practice. I see 2 PB's, practice and tourney.

Just wondering how others consider runs for a personal best? Let me give an example: I start my set and run 6 balls at 15 off. I drop the line to 22 off and run 3 balls, but miss 4. I then attempt 22 off again, and make all 6 balls. I drop the line to 28 off and make 2 balls. I quit and go drink beer. My PB is 2 at 28off. Is my personal best decided by my set? or by a simulated tournament score? I've always done it by the set, so as long as I manage to make 6 balls during a run for one set, then anything after that is considered to be a PB. Of course, I could go and get 1 at 39.5 off and call that my PB, but because I never ran 6 at 38 during that set, it will never count. How to others measure their PB?

Anyone have a chart size for slalom ski vests? It seems easier to order online these days as our local shops don't carry much inventory. I'm looking for the comp vests that are pull over. I'm about a 43" chest and 34" waist. What size do you wear?