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@Bill22‌ I actually do have double boots. I hadn't thought about that but it makes perfect sense. I'm buying a "guest slalom ski" for the boat with a RTP. I'll run that a couple of times and see what difference it makes. Interesting @oldjeep , that's an excellent idea. I've got the adjustable rope now so I can "play" until I find the flattest area in the wake to work. Dang @MS , -28??? Honestly, that freaks me out right now. Is @OTF skiing behind and inboard or an I/O? Wow, that's really thinking out of the box!

I'm running an mercury alpha 4, 4 blade, 18 pitch. It hits WOT at about 45ish mph with RPM's about 4850 I believe. It's enough to pull me out of the water.

@Horton , Thanks. I'll start there as soon as it warms up enough to hit the water. I've got so much to work on but I'll start at that length so I'll at least be familiar with it. That's part of the problem @DmaxJC_ski‌ . I bought my first boat ever this year. It's a 2007 Tahoe Q6 with the 220 HP 4.3L MPI engine. It will pull me up but at 220 lbs I eat a decent amount of water. I'm in the process of losing about 20 lbs so that should help a little. I know the dedicated ski boats will yank me outta the water MUCH quicker.

Great. I'll start at 15 off and get video. It's been just the girlfriend and I in the boat so that's been difficult. But, I've got a while, I'll figure it out. So, if the rope is shorter, will the boat pull me out of the water more quickly??

Going to start running the course this coming summer. I've got a sectioned rope but have no idea where to start. Seems to be differing thoughts on long line or 15 off. Doesn't matter to me but what do you think is best? I'll be 46 yrs old by slalom season, last year was my first year of slaloming since...1991 or so... I did a lot of free skiing and am 100% confident crossing wakes and cutting, from what I feel is a "pretty hard" cut. But, I know from my time spent here that I am way far behind where I thought I might be. I also realize I have a LOT of work to do on technique. I've never had any coaching but plan to head to the DFW water ski school this summer. So, just getting thoughts on what rope length to start with. Also, will I get up quicker with a shorter rope? I'm a big boy and have to fight my "recreational boat" to get up.

My shirt was in my PO Box when I checked it yesterday!

But, but, we're a community, right...lol. Hey, if someone needs a 7 year old ski that badly then they need it worse than me. I knew that was a possibility @Wish , but taking the chance to find out what year it is was worth it. I'll go back and erase the link now... Thanks for the info folks

Thanks. Just needing something to throw in the boat. I appreciate it.

I'm looking for a "visitors ski" for my boat. Any idea what year this one might be? Looks like a good deal for a guests ski. Thanks

As a complete, never run the course newbie, my biggest challenge is going to be finding a local course to try out. In Oklahoma anyway, there just aren't that many courses but there are a handful. I like the idea of trying to bring in the outsiders for "fun nights" in the course. I'd pay $50-75/day or night just to have the chance to run the course or maybe $15-20/set. That would be a blast, it would feed the A.D.D. and leave me wanting more! I'd drive an hour or so every few weeks to give the course a shot. Somehow advertising of what is available would be beneficial. But, how do you do that? What's the best advertising avenue?? Also, Slalom is HARD, especially when compared to getting up on a wakeboard. I've got a co-worker and their family is a true LAKE FAMILY. However, there are no ski's in their boats, wakeboards only. This may be our true battle. How do you get the true newbies to put down the wakeboard and pic up the REAL stick? If we can figure out this question, maybe we can see the resurgence in the sport that we would like to see.

...Moving to Texas...

@Horton 's attempt to make @Wish 's prediction for 2015 come true...

I'd say between 40-45,000. That seems affordable and realistic with the financing options available now days. If you want to enter the wake/surf arena, maybe 10-15,000 more? Seeing new boats over $100,000 just seems WAY outta reach for most. On a similar note, I've passed by some of the new bass rigs and can't figure how they can charge $50,000 or more for them either.

LOVE my boxer! He didn't make it on the boat last summer but guaranteed he will be on the boat this year! @rok , thanks for posting

@fu_man , Here's the link to the Obrien site. It's under support>slalom ski settings http://www.obrien.com/slalom-ski-settings/

Driving me insane! The "who's still skiing" thread doesn't help much either...ENVIOUS. Focusing on diet and learning more about what this whole "running the course" thing is about all that is keeping me sane.

I've never been a big "team" sport person. I prefer to do things when I want and to the extent that I want. I did some bodybuilding in HS and college with some local success. Throughout college and until now I've continued to stay fit. I just like being active: snow skiing, water skiing, ran a 1/2 marathon, rode a metric century bike ride etc. I tend to be a jack of all trades, master of none. Tell me I can't do something and IT'S ON. Challenge drives me. The exact reason running the course is my next project. I feel with some good coaching and learning right at first that I can make some progress. Progress and accomplishment feed the inner beast. I'm pretty sure I'll be this way until the good Lord decides I'm done!

I have to admit I was a little concerned playing the first video entitled "Pull out drills". Hmmm

Thanks @Wish ! WInter time stack training will officially begin tonight.

If someone has the link to Seth's video, could you please post it? Thanks

@AdamCord , does the ski have a standard hole pattern on the fin as well? Interesting that no matter how far things advance, new ideas are pretty much always out there.

An option is needed for "I workout regularly but don't do crossfit". I train 4 days per week, a combination of weights and cardio. I choose not to do crossfit as I've seen many friends injure themselves either due to improper form or pushing it too far. But hey, if it works for you, do it! Being fit by any means beats the hell outta not being fit at all!

I was looking for a bimini that went OVER my wakeboard tower so I wouldn't sacrifice any standing room in the boat. I went with the super shadow bimini from Big Air. Love it so far. www.wakeessentials.com/product-p/bab005.htm

Thanks for sharing your first pass @jhughes‌ ! I only hope I perform half that well during my first try!

I didn't even see the wakeboard racks on the tower until I looked at it a few times. I'm jealous!