oldmanskier

GCMA4: I have the same type of issue with my right hip. X-ray shows moderate age related arthritics and impingement (CAM). I have had also had the dull aching pain off and on for years. I had an MRI last week and waiting for results. You detailed you had surgery. What type of surgery (repair) did you have? Thanks oldmanskier Tom

Done

I do not drink. I have a hard time controlling my fried chicken cravings. Drinking for me would not be good.

The Flow Point with Wade and this one with Bob are my favorite flow points yet. Sorry for all the detail below but, we have been cooped up due to everything shutting down for chrono virus issue and just got carried away thinking about the bygone era of slalom. Brought back a lot of fun memories that took my mind off the Chrono virus issue going on now. I started skiing the slalom course in 1978 at a young 24 years of age. No internet back then but I started researching the best I could everything about Tournament Waterskiing. I joined what today is called USA Waterski (I think it was called something else back then) just to get the magazine they put out. This was about all the ski information I could find back in the mid 70’s on Slalom technique. This is when I learned about Bob and Kris Lapoint. Those guys were the in my opinion Slalom gods at that time. Then a magazine called Spray came about and more information about Slalom was available. My first Slalom video was Advanced Slalom Clinic by Mike Suyderhound with Bob Lapoint. That video helped me go from running 15 and sometimes 22 off at 36 mph to running 28 off consistently. I know that does not sound like much but to me it was a big stepping stone. I know technique has changed a lot since that video but I still watch that video occasionally while doing cardio workouts. Bob makes Slalom look so easy, fluid and it is fun to watch. I met Bob one time (I think in the late 80’s) when the Pro Tour came to Chattanooga TN on the Tennessee River. Horrible site with all the boat rollers and river current but all the pro’s gave it their best shot and put on a good show. Bob talked to a group of us for a few minutes and was very patient with a bunch of slalom wallies that were in awe of his slalom skiing abilities. I have also met Kris a few times at Big Dawg tournaments and listened to him talk to others about skies and technique. The knowledge these two brothers have about all aspects of slalom is amazing. Marcus you have done Flowpoints with Wade and Bob. Not for sure if possible or the people would be willing but would Love to see more Flowpoints with other greats from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Example: Kris Lapoint, Mike Suyderhound, Carl Roberge and the Roberg sisters, Sammy and Camel Duval, Cindy Todd, Lucky Lowe, Denna Mapple, etc. Thanks to Bob and Kris for all they have done for the sport over the years. Thanks to Marcus for doing these very, very well produced Flow Points. Oldmanskier (Tom Smothers).

I agree with lpskier. We switched to SPORTSINSURANCE.COM three years ago. Wayne saved us close to 4 grand a year on what we were paying another company for a three event private ski lake insurance. oldmanskier(Tom Smothers No Wake Ski Club)

John, prayers are with you and your family during this time. Tom Smothers (oldmanskier)

I have always wanted a stokes vest but was too fat to fit in one. While at Nationals Mike Mapple with Performance showed me a Stokes Nitro 2.0 in 2Xl. It fit me well and very comfortable. I skied last week at Chet’s place and was glad I had the Stokes vest for the deep lake. The best floating competition vest I have ever had. I did not have to tread water at all while getting coaching from Chet. Thanks to performance for having a Stokes that fit a fat guy and Thomas for having such a great product. Tom Smothers (oldmanskier)

Nationals, America Cup and Big Dawg championship all at the same place and same week. It is going to be great. I am headed to Okeeheelee early, early Wednesday Morning. Hope to get there in time to see American Cup finals. Hopefully I will meet some of the ballofspray people who are at Okeeheelee this coming week. All you ballofspray people that are skiing in any of those three tournaments good luck and hope you ski well. oldmanskier (Tom Smothers)

I have a 2014 CP with PMC 5.7 Excalibur engine. It is a great Slalom boat and the only boat that the 22 off wake does not hurt my bone on bone arthritic ankle ankle

Talked to Skip the other day and he explained how the two puck system works. We are going to give switching the pucks a try as he suggested. If that does not work Skip gave me some other options. Thanks to Skip and all who offered advise. Tom Smothers aka oldmanskier.

The Wally's have saved my bad ankle many times. The guys in our club did not believe the marketing hype and did not want to pay the price. So another person and I in the club purchased them due to we have the bad ankles. Some of ours are four years old and still look pretty good. oldmanskier

We are considering doing a single puck conversion on our 2012 Mastercraft. We were considering getting a complete new Zero system due to ours has 1620 hours and is starting to do weird things not all the time but occasionally. Surging, not giving times, ETC. Tried remapping but issues still occur from time to time. Not for sure what kind of questions to ask Zero Off for getting a New Complete single puck system for our 2012 Mastercraft 5.7 ilmor engine club boat. Can anyone tell me what all information I need to give Zero Off for getting a new system? Thanks Oldmanskier

Anyone know anything about a Trek Roscoe. I looked at one today at the Trek Bike store in town and it appeared to be a good quality. The tires were (27.5 tall x 2.8 wide) and Hydraulic brakes. I am 5' 7" (squatty body), the bike was a size 15.5 and felt pretty good to me when I rode it. It had a seat that you pulled a lever on the handle bar and it could be raised up and down while riding. I have been out of the bike world for so many years the new technology is very impressive. Thanks for all the input form my bike post. oldmanskier

Jodi Seal: You detailed you bought new 29er that was $1011.00 with tax. Can you tell me the brand and model bike you purchased. Thanks oldmanskier

skidawg I sent you a PM. To everyone else thanks for all your comments and suggestions. oldmanskier

My ankle (bone on bone) has got to the point I cannot hike like I want to. After 3 to 4 miles the hiking is not fun. I use to ride bikes some. I am interested in purchasing a Fat Tire Bike. If I bike it would be manly light trail riding or when in South Florida ride along the beach or in small town bike trails. Any one have any recommendations or suggestions for a good quality brand Fat Tire Bike for under $700? Thanks oldmanskier

Thanks for all the comments. I do not trick or jump so I cannot comment on those behind the CP. As for the Big 3, I like all of them and if I could afford a new boat every year I would be honored to own any of them. But as an old man with bad ankles, still trying to ski as much as possible and have a normal size garage for storing my boat in the winter, the CP is perfect for me. I would love to have a 6.0 engine in my CP just for the adrenaline rush driving the boat. But for slalom the 5.7 in my CP is plenty strong. Good to hear comments on the CP again even if it is no longer being produced. Once again thanks for all the comments. oldmanskier

I hit the Post key too soon. CP owners do you have anything to comment about your boat. Thanks oldmanskierpPleas

I see tons of information on the current Big 3 Slalom rigs as should be. I even love all the Big 3 boats and like the way they all look. If I could afford a new boat every year I would not have an issue with purchasing any of the current Big 3. I have no issues with any of the Big 3 and did not start this post to down any of the Big 3 or compare against the Carbon Pro. I wanted to start this post for those of us that still have Centurion CP's and see what CP owners have to say about their boats. My take on the Centurion CP: I have a 2014 Centurion CP that I purchased in 2016. It was used in Southern Regional's as one of the tow boats. I love my CP. I 65 years old and at this time 2 to 3 years from retirement. Unless I win the lottery (my early retirement plan) or something goes terribly wrong with my CP, this will most likely be the last ski boat I will own. Construction: I think the CP is one of the best thought out and quality Slalom boats there is. I have been all thru my CP including taking some of the floors out (I get bored in the winter) just to see quality of construction. In my opinion the CP is a well-made Slalom boat. Maintenance: Oil changes, impeller changes and fuel filter changes are easy on the PCM 5.7 Excalibur engine. The Transmission fluid filter change was a challenge, due to having to remove rubber exhaust manifold hose from engine to shift over to get to the transmission filter location for removal and install of filter. It has a brass (not plastic) drain plug and I do not have to raise the engine cover to remove or install the drain plug. Just untwist a cover and remove or install. Skiing: The Slalom wake is great for my very arthritic ankle even at 22 off. I love the ballast system for leveling the boat. Simple Zero off system (no Massive $3000 computer screen). Simple key start ignition. Boat tracks well (in my opinion) once you learn not to over steer it. Bimini top is very easy for one person to put on and take off and give maximum sun protection. Great gas mileage. Great drive on trailer with spare tire and very easy to drive boat on trailer. Size and weight of boat and trailer make it easy to tow and fits in a normal size garage. My main ski partner who is now 75, in fantastic shape, one time National 32 mph record holder (not for sure which division) and currently spending 12 weeks in Colorado snow skiing (some guys have it made) has this to say about the CP. He calls it a "Gentlemans" ski boat. Small slalom wakes, boat is not too big or two small, Bimini is large and gives lots of protection from the sun and tracks well. Great for us old guys. My only con with the CP is the ski plate form seems a bit small. I am used to it now but almost fell of the platform a couple of times when I first got the boat.

I went to Jack Travers in the early 1980's and saw Eddie Detedler (not for sure how to spell) from (I think Belgium) run 38 off from the boat. First time I had seen someone run 38 off at 36 mph from the boat. I think he held the world Slalom record at one time but not for sure. oldmanskier

Not for sure how far you would be from Chattanooga Tenn. I am one of the owners at No Wake Lake (private ski site) in Fort Oglethorpe Georgia about 16 miles south from Down Town Chattanooga. If you wanted to come down on Saturday's or Sunday's while you are working in Oak Ridge I could give you a pull depending on my work on call schedule. In case you want to do a Map Quest to see how far away the lake is from where you are staying in Oak Ridge the Lake address is: NO Wake Lake 3023 Battlefield Pkwy Fort Oglethorpe GA, 30742 If you decide you are interested you can e-mail me at tomjsmothers@aol.com oldmanskier

Headed to lake not to ski (40 degrees in Chattanooga TN this morning) but to bush hog our property around the lake. Be riding the Massey Ferguson tractor for a few hours. Much rather be riding in the club ski boat but I think we are done skiing for the season. oldmanskier

I am still laughing about this thread title. Good to start the day out with a laugh. oldmanskier

Thanks for all the comments. They installed a New circulating pump but not for sure if it is a Marine pump or not. I will find out this weekend. oldmanskier

I had the same problem first of the year with my eagle. I could get it zipped but breathing was optional. I got a new 2x Radar at performance and it fits great. I told my wife I guess I need to lose weight. She said I love you fat due to you are warm in the winter to snuggle up to and shady in the summer. oldmanskier