oldmanskier

The main water pump (engine water pump) that bolts to the engine main bearing went bad. I was not at the lake for a week due to work on call and when I came back the guys said the boat is making a loud noise around the pulleys. They had been skiing it anyway for a couple of days with the boat making the noise. I loosened the belt and could wiggle the main pulley on the water pump. I could not believe the guys skied with the pulley having that much wobble. Surprised the belt did not come off or the pulley. The bearing in the Water pump was major worn out. I had them to quit using the boat until we can get a new water pump installed. Question: The guys want to go to an Auto Parts store and try to find a Water Pump that will fit our boat. I want to order a Water pump that is for the our Mastercraft either from mastercraft dealer or a Boat parts place that has a Water pump for our boat. Is a water pump from an auto parts store quality enough for a Ski Boat? Thanks for any comments or suggestions. oldmanskier.

Ditto to what aupatking said. I have requested to purchase another MAD Fin clamp when they are ready. I want to put it on my backup Goode WR. oldmanskier

On our forth year with the same set of Wally Buoys. They are not cheap but last and do not fade. Also if you hit one they are more forgiving on the ankles than other buoys. Oldmanskier

When in Florida at Chet's I hear the people refer to short line as 38 off and shorter due to 38 off is the first line length in which the handle is inside the ski buoy when skier goes around the ski buoy. Only skied into 38 off straight up one time in practice many years ago at 34mph. I got 2 at 38. Being an old man with many injuries now just happy to do my deep water start and run an occasional 28 off at 32 mph. oldmanskier

I would love to have one of these Stokes vests but I am too fat at this time. I tried my best to get a size 2x (cannot remember which style) zipped up at Performance back in May but to much stomach and it was not going to happen. Performance said they did not think Stokes made a 3x at that time. I hope to be down a few pounds in September when I travel back thru Orlando on my way to Chet's. If performance still has a 2x I hope to be able to get in one this time. oldmanskier

Horton: Your site is great. You moderate and facilitate it very well. Some people do facebook I do ballofspray. I look at it every day because it is the only site for three event skiing I have found that gives great information and insight into the waterskiing world that I love. You also keep the gossip crap in control and I love that you do not tolerate people being disrespectful to each other when they disagree on sensitive topics. I for one am very thankful you started and maintain ballofspary and hope it continues for years to come. Thanks for all you do for the sport. oldmanskier

My wife has been my primary drive since 1974 and slalom course driver since I got my first ski boat (A brand new 1978 Mastercraft) in 1978. She is the primary driver for me and my main ski partner Dr. Bob Drake who is a former nationals winner and record holder. The other guys in the club are envious due to they cannot even get their wife’s to come to the lake. I am very thankful for a wife that likes to ski and does not mind driving for me and others in the club. She even drove me one time with Chet setting in the boat. She was very nervous but Chet said she did an ok job of driving. oldmanskier

2015 Obrien 68" Conquer Slalom ski. 15 sets on ski. Includes two new extra fin blocks, one new extra fin and two wings. Reason for extra hardware I always order an extra fin block and fin for my skies. For some reason they sent me two fin blocks and one fin when I ordered extra hardware. The fin on the ski has been drilled for Raley ventral fin so extra holes on original fin. Ski is in very good condition and only has 15 sets on it. Price $375 includes shipping to US lower 48 states. Reason for selling This was my spare ski in case my 2009 Goode Wide Ride broke. I ended up buying a new Goode Nano 1XT wide ride so I no longer need the Obrien as a spare. You can also view this ski on skiitagain oldmanskier

I stopped by Performance on my way to South Florida to ski at Chet's place. That store is fantastic. First time I have been there in many years, So nice to go into a ski store and they have water ski stuff. Skies, vests, ropes, gloves, handles and so much more. I had increased my girth (momma says I am not fat just husky) over the winter and could not get my current vest zipped up. I wanted to be able to breath, float and ski at the same time while at Chet's so new vest time it was. The people at Performance were great in helping me find a slalom vest that would fit and also float me properly. I really wanted a Stoke's vest and they had a 2 XX large. But to my disappointment and as hard as I tried to get it zipped up I could not. When you are shaped like a pair the belly size not the chest size is the critical point. I needed more XX's to use a Stokes and I do not believe they make a 3 or 4 xx size. My goal this summer is to loose enough weight to at least get into the Stokes 2xx vest. After trying on many vests I ended up buying 2 vests. O'Neal Slasher Comp vest XX large and a Liquid Force AXIS CGA vest. I used the O'Neal vest all week at Chet's and it was great to be able to breath, float and ski comfortably. Also bought a Radar Bar lock handle (Which is my favorite handle) and Radar inside out gloves. So far I have loved the inside out gloves. If they do not stretch to much they will be perfect. Thanks to the staff at performance for all their help and making the store visit a lot of fun. oldmanskier

Skied my first sets of the year at Chet's place starting on Monday last week. I was so sore on Wednesday (and being 20 pounds overweight) that I could barely do a deep water start. I managed to ski for 5 days and had a great time even though I was not in good ski shape. Water was around 85 degrees and air about the same. A bit windy but not un skiable. I picked up a new GOODE Wide Ride while at Chet's to replace my 2009 Goode Wide Ride that had 1600 plus sets on it. I did not have time to set it up while at Chet's due to I use interlock on my special boot set up and it takes a lot of time for me to do the set up. But looking forward to skiing on a new ski that will be somewhat more alive than my 2009 ski. I also went to the Big Dawg qualifier on Saturday. Those guys are incredible. They make 38 off look so easy at times. Some of the 39's that were run looked very smooth also. I have had two days rest and going skiing at my place today. I hope most of the soreness is gone. Thanks to Chet, Noah and George Levien (PBT Mascot, official greeter and all around great guy) for a great week at Chet’s place. oldmanskier

It appears mine will start on Monday April 30 when I arrive at Chet's place for a week of skiing. I have not skied since last October. Our spring has been bad. Usually I get to ski some in March and a lot in April. But between the cold and rain I have not got to ski any. I am on call at work this week and it is rainy and cold most of this week so I doubt I will get to ski this week either. I have kicked my workouts up a notch in hopes this will keep me from getting to sore next week at Chet's. I have gone to Chet's for years but this is the first time I have gone without being able to ski before I go. I am just hoping I will be able to do my deep water starts. Oh well it will still be fun just getting to hang out and watch other skiers ski at Chet's place. I am also going to watch the Big Dawg's ski at Okeeheelee on May 4th and 5th. I always enjoy watching the Big Dawg's ski. oldmanskier

I hope some of my comments not considered off topic but this post seemed to be a good way for information about Skiing a private lake in Chattanooga TN area if anyone is interested. The reason I joined No Wake Ski Club (No Wake Lake designed for three event skiing) in Fort Oglethorpe Georgia (10 miles from down town Chattanooga TN) back in 1996 was to have access to a Private Ski lake. I lived on Chickamauga Lake (Part of Tennessee River Dam system) and we had a course set up. This was public water and course skiing could be very challenging at times due to Fisherman and Jet skis. I joined No wake as a club member in 1996 for a yearly member ship of $2000. This included use of the club boat. You just had to bring your own gas. My progress in the slalom course increased quickly due to great conditions, no fisherman/Jet ski distractions, great group of people to ski with and get coaching feedback from. After being a member for a year I bought in as one of the owners of the lake. Just something I wanted to do to have a part in decisions at lake. Currently 10 people own the lake. 7 of who still ski regularly. We also have members in the club that are not owners. They pay a membership fee currently $2400 a year. This gives them access to the lake 7 days a week and use of the club boat (2012 Master Craft Zero Off). We use to get a new boat every year or two but todays boat prices have caused us to have to keep a boat as long as feasible. The lake is for three event skiing and occasional wake boarder. No pulling of inflatables due to insurance restrictions. No Wake Board boats allowed due to they destroy our banks and our lake is an average of 5 foot deep. No homes on the property. It is in a flood plain bordering a large creek so no homes can be built there. We have membership spots available for 2018 ski season. We have not had our annual meeting to discuss 2018 member ship fees but it will be between $2400 and $3000 depending on how many members we have apply. More members to cover lake expenses less individual fees. Membership includes use of the lake 7 days a week daylight till dark and use of the club boat. If anyone close to the Chattanooga area is interested in becoming a Member of No Wake contact me at tomjsmothers@aol.com Thanks oldmanskier

Skies, boats, Speed control, ropes, Handles, etc have all changed much since Mike's videos with Bob Lapoint and West Cost with Marcus and Terry. I am just a bit younger than Mike (not much). Those videos by Mike were about all we had at the time and I want to thank Mike for being willing to share his thoughts and ideas on slalom skiing in a video format. oldmanskier

I have a 2014 Carbon Pro and love it. I purchased mine from a Promo guy in Kentucky, is a 5.7, plenty of power and used in the 2014 southern Regionals. I would assume that the 2016 Carbon Pro is as good and being a newer model even better than the 2014. I have skied all the major boats (except 2014 and later Mastercrafts). The Carbon Pro is the only boat at 22 off that does not hurt my bone on bone arthritic ankle. I have heard Jay takes great care of his boats. As far as driving and tracking if Chad says the boat drives and skies great then the boat drives and skies great. If I did not already have a Carbon Pro I love, I would try to buy this boat. From all I have heard someone needs to buy this boat ASAP. oldmanskier.

Horton: Thanks for keeping ballofspray going. It makes the winter time go faster and gives great information about my only and favorite sport of waterskiing. oldmanskier

I am currently on a 2009 66" 9900 Wide Ride that Chet suggested for me back in 2009. I have about 600 sets on it. Being as I am 5' 7" tall and 210 pounds it is a great ski for me. I can run 32 off at 32 MPH on a good day on this ski. I run 28 off consistently on this ski. The thing it does for me is it appears to turn no matter what kind of shape I am in coming into the buoy and is very stable. I really like this ski and dread the day it breaks down. I hope GOODE is still making some type of Wide Ride when I have to get a new ski. I skied with Chet back in October (gave me the usual your to fat talk) and he said if I stayed the same size the GOODE WR is what he would recommend for me if they still make them. Just glad various ski company's are making skies for us guys that still want to ski but we are a bit on the heavy (fat) side. I like to refer to myself as Southern mom's describe there overweight boys. Oh he is not fat he is just HUSKEY boy. oldmanskier

I am almost 64 and been skiing since 1974 and skiing the course since 1977. My main ski partner is 74 and is in much better shape than me and is the best technical skier in the club. He Runs 35 off at 32 mph on good days. Very seldom misses 28 or 32 off at 32 mph. I plan on skiing as long as possible. Looking forward to 2018 ski season. Oldmanskier.

138 sets since April. Oldmanskier

We are starting our fourth year with same the Wally buoys in the course. They are still a bright color. I avoid hitting a ski buoy at all costs but I have hit these hard on rare occasions with no injury. We run as little air pressure as possible and they work great. Most of the guys in our club do not want to pay the $17 dollars a buoy. So one other member and I supply them due to we have the worst ankles and these buoys are (in my opinion) one of the safest you can use if they are aired up correctly. The cost has not been an issue due to the buoys last so long. I highly recommend them. Oldmanskier.

jhughes: Thanks for the tip on hose removal. I will have one before next year filter change. Oldmanskier

I changed mine yesterday on my 2014 Carbon pro PCM 5.7. It took me about 2 hours due to I did not know what I was doing and following instructions from PCM manual. The hardest part was disconnecting rubber fuel line from the pump. I loosened clamp but the rubber hose was really stuck. I finally had to take a razor and make a small split and it came right off. I had enough hose to cut the split section off and put back on. The filter had never been changed according to first owner and I changed at 375 hours. It was dirty but not clogged. If it had not been for the stuck hose I could have done the job in an hour. oldmanskier.

Razorskierone: I will be telling my small group at church this morning of your health Situation. You will have 25 people praying for you daily for a healing of your cancer. If you want to please keep me updated by a PM or e-mail to tomjsmothers@aol.com of your progress. I will update the group weekly. Oldmanskier (Tom Smothers)

lpskier: It is Your hands should be hooks, your arms should be chains and your legs should be reinforced steel in concrete when going from buoy to buoy. I have to have a Eagle jacket (no joke) with extra floatation now to keep my nose above water. At 5' 7" 210 lbs. I Iook like a Rubits cube skiing behind the boat. Rockdog: Highly recommend Chet. If I could ski with him and more often I would have many keys for what did you learn this year. oldmanskier

I got to ski one set with Chet at the first of October. I usually ski at least a week with him every year but this year I could not. We only had one set together and after my second pass he said. This is our only set together. These are the two keys I want you to do the rest of the ski season. Key 1: You are left foot forward. For the gate, get high on the boat keeping left hand pressure until you are ready to turn in for the gates. Key 2: Your hands should be hooks, your arms should be chains and your legs should be reinforced steel in concrete when going from buoy to buoy. Basically I was giving into the boat in different ways and moving around too much. I had been running 32 mph 28 off passes but they were not easy. I started just concentrating on these two keys and ran some of the easiest passes of the year. Wish I had been able to ski with Chet at the first of the ski season. I am sure the summer skiing would have been more productive. Oldmanskier

Just an Old Man’s opinion that has had 3 event ski boats since 1978. I love my 2014 Carbon Pro with the 5.7 engine. I was told it was used in the 2014 or 2015 Southern regionals (not for sure which). The rudder was tuned by the Kentucky promo guy that had it and it drives very well for me. As others have stated you can feel the boat move a little more than the heaver boats. But I found when I first got the boat I tended to over steer it. Once I drove with a softer touch it tracks very well. Also best built and designed trailer I have ever had. Boat drives on very easy and fits the trailer perfect. Most skiers I pull only get to 38 off. I would love to pull some 39's but talent is limited at our club. Best gas mileage boat I have ever had. Plenty of power with the 5.7 engine. A 6.0 engine must feel like a rocket. All I wanted was a basic slalom tug to use at our private ski lake. I did not want fancy screens or gadgets. My boat does have a heater, radio and special lighting which I did not want but it came with the boat. My Zero off is the most current version with the standard Zero Off display. As for quality, not for sure about the Stripped down comments. I looked at all the 2014 model boats before buying my carbon Pro. It's quality was no less than any of the other big three and better than some of the big three. I was so sad to see this boat will no longer be sold as a Centurion Carbon pro any longer. Centurion has always built high quality products. If my CP got destroyed for example in a wreak and I had to buy another boat today, I would be looking for a 2014 model or later Carbon Pro. The wake does not hurt my old man bad ankle at any line length and it is a high quality well designed Slalom boat. My only con is that I wish the ski platform was 3 inches wider. Being a fat old guy I barley fit on that narrow ski platform. If you are looking for good basic Slalom boat used mainly for slalom course skiing I highly recommend the 2014 CP and later models. If I got another one I would try to get the 6.0 engine just because I am a horsepower junkie. The 5.7 has more than enough power for slalom. Oldmanskier