gt2003

I believe this is the knock sensor. I was able to disconnect the wires/connector that go to it. Is there anything special about removing it? It looks like its just a simple deep well socket or box wrench. It's the 1st time to winterize an inboard so thought I'd check before I start. My plan is to warm the engine, drain the block, blow out the heater, unhook the water intake hose from the block, replace with a shorter piece of hose which will run to a large bucket of antifreeze, start the motor and let antifreeze run into the system. Similar to what I did for my I/O but insteah of using muffs I'll use the bucket/antifreeze. Will be fogging the motor, changing oil and transmission fluid during the process. Thanks folks

My wife tells me frequently, you want to make everything work or a challenge, I just want to ski for fun...

I currently like to couple a few short bumps with large steering adjustments which apparently is the wrong combo! This helps!

Thanks @Chef23 , it's definitely an interesting experience. My boat seems easy to under and oversteer!

Thanks @keithh2oskier. That's helpful. I very well could be overthinking it. @Than_Bogan , my biggest issue is bumping the throttle and getting the boat fairly in line with the course and not dragging the skier all around before pull up. I could just be overly concerned because I'm new. There may be more time than I think once they are up.

private lake @BraceMaker . I can see the buoys easily, it's just getting the boat pointed in the right direction without under or over steering that's the chore! Thanks @Andre , that's kinda what I thought. Guess I need to get the wife to switch places with me more often!

Just got my first inboard this year. I've driven it a little but not much as my wife who mostly drives while I ski. I had the chance to pull a fellow skier this last weekend. I didn't find it difficult to keep the boat straight through the course but dang, it was HORRIBLE trying to get the boat farily well lined up for the course before the pull up. Any tips to make this easier? Is it just time in the seat? You folks that do this regularly sure make it look easy!

I got a tip a few years back to hold handle at the base of my fingers to prevent the ripping of flesh caused by trying to hold the handle in my palms on the pull up. It's worked well so no plans on changing.

Not as much fun as videos...but if you're needing a new one I guess it's important, From SIA: 1996 Mastercraft Prostate 190 (5.7 Lt-1-335hp)

Review @Horton ?

My wife is learning now. The course doesn't scare her a bit so that's good. With a little more work at the ends of the course she'll be a top notch driver. Well, maybe a little improvement on the docking/slow speed stuff as well. BUT, she is in the boat and wants to learn to drive so I count myself VERY lucky!

NEAT!

No, it's not a boat but damn, Macallan 15! If you're not a single malt scotch drinker, you won't get it. If you are...You'll understand 100%. THANK YOU WIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

88 F yesterday, Bixby, Oklahoma.

Best of luck! Heal up soon!

I'd strongly suggest that you allow the wife to buy you a newer boat since the night ride was her idea... Let me know how that goes...

I'm definitely no expert but same thing, set boots and fin to stock, first few passes are just very slight swerving to get used to it then I progress as I get more used to it.

@6balls , I’m not seeing many 08’s-10’s on SIA, Onlyinboards or elsewhwere. Do you have a secret source we don't know about?

New, I'd think about $70K MSRP, maybe $60K'ish out the door nicely equipped. My upper price would be around 40K, obviously used. That would be a pretty affordable payment on a boat that I'd keep for the life of the loan and most likely longer

Throttling up may be an issue that will take work on the wifes part. But, she wants to be a dang good driver so she will be glad to adjust if needed. She may have to learn to throttle back a bit once I'm up. Return spring already done. Will see what these adjustments do and report back. I've got all the time in the world. Just wanna get this thing dialed in. Thanks for the input!

Looks like the ball 1 settings are the same for XL and normal @34.2 and below. So, since the boats come by in hot, I left it on XL and decreased the Ball 1 setting from 8 to 5. Ball 3 baseline is 50 for normal and 64 for XL so I split it down the middle and changed it to 57. We’ll see how that works. I’m keeping track of the changes to see what effect the adjustments make. Should have it dialed in soon.

The wife’s suggestion is ‘Titanium’. And since she recently perused the site looking for Hortons suggestions on a boat camera, I think she deserves a shot!

Just got an email from PP. 1st part of their remedy...use a lower skier weight. The rationale is skier weight affects the initial throttle after PP kicks in so decreasing skier weight will help us not come into the course quite as hot. The next suggestion, adjust ball 3 time down 3-4 and see where this gets us. I'm not real happy that I need to use a different skier weight than what I truly am. But, if it settles things down and gets the times correct, I need to just go with it and not overthink it. At the end of the day, I just need a consistent, steady ride through the course!

Uncle Drew

@ecno, I'm in the same boat as you so I feel your pain. A lot of these guys make it look SO EASY! The 2 things in my head when I'm headed to the buoy are "finish the turn" and "hips up". It seems a lot of times I am only able to do one of them. However, keep the thought in your head going to the buoy. Pick your phrase, hips up, straighten legs etc. and just keep after it. This sport comes easier to some than others. Just don't give up!