Jmoski

Just a few thoughts: on using it as a “work wetsuit”, I never owned the stokes model you have, but have had multiple camaro’s - and if they are as fragile as the camaro, I wouldn’t use it for installing docks, lifts etc given how easy it will be to snag it on the end of a bolt or a corner and tear it. I use worn out 4/3 traditional wet suit for “work” as they handle the abuse better and if it tears it not the end of the world. I get about 4-5 seasons of use out of a high end 4/3 suit, after that the taped/sealed seams go and then I retire it to work mode and get a new one for skiing. Proper fitting suits can be a workout/tricky to get in and out of, of interest with the chest zip - which is my preference and what I have now, they are easier to get on but harder to get off. I often have to have a buddy hold one shoulder from the top to peel the initial arm out.

Sky high stock market, low interest rates, and extra demand due to Covid. I looked at a new SN over the winter and the dealer was advertising monthly payments of $735! - Read the fine print: 5.35% interest for 15 years! That boat is now sold and the dealer says only way to get one is to order a 2022! Notice on graph, really cool to see BTW, the drops are market recessions/crashes, the only question is when does the next correction/recession hit, then we will see the reverse...

By putting the gas can on the ground you allow the static from pouring the gas into the can to dissipate into the ground. It’s the plastic bed liner that acts as a insulator when the can is in the bed of a truck (or carpet in the back of an SUV) that’s the real culprit.

We had a cold winter in Maine, the ice was 24” thick in Feb, ice out might happen by next weekend. Skiing in MA will require my ski buddy to get his boat in, hope to ski in MA next week!

Good thing you weren’t smoking a cigar while installing the PP upgrade!

+1 some gas being squeezed out the vent - most gas tanks are plastic, which contract when stored in cold temps - hence it comes out the vent as if you had overfilled it at the gas station... Do you see or smell gas in the bilge? That’s where it would end up if you had a leak in a fuel line or the tank.

@wish - is there any part of the lower half accessible to try and grab it with an oil filter strap wrench to spin it out? Maybe even shave down the width of the strap to get it in there, a cheap filter wrench is like $10... The other idea I would throw out is if you can safely get the top half off again, maybe you can crazy glue it back on to the lower so it doesn’t spin?

What is the recommended change interval for the cap & rotor?

My ski partner that has a 2018 used the width of the widest spaced bunks on the trailer, the ones on the back as a guide. He initially had them more narrow due to just leaving the spacing from his previous, narrower boat and ended doing hundreds of dollars in gelcoat damage where one skid ended up with one of the 90 degree transitions in the hull just barely on it and slipped off sideways from movement, damaging the gelcoat on the edge of the 90 degree turn. I can get measurements off it for you in a few weeks when I help him put it back in the water if that helps.

Many trailer manufacturers will still have the plans to build your friend a new one. I got a new trailer made in 2010 for a 2006 SN 196 I bought used that didn’t have one. We’re you specifically looking for used trailers?

Try the vapor out and see how you feel on it, but keep your union until your sure about the change. I agree with the comments about the speed your running matters. I think pro’s just assume your running 34/36mph... I switched off from a vapor to the senate as I ski 30/32mph in the course, and at those speeds the senate is more stable and a lot less work to turn it. Technique and body position are far more important than having a high end ski. Due to my own limitations, I figure currently I am only getting 40% out of the senate in terms of what it’s capable of, the vapor I bet that number is even lower for me!

Not sure I would use whips with a floating dock. All whip usage I have seen is on docks that use steel pipe driven into the lakebed to secure it.

SN 200 Mapple Icon Edition

I use the neutral button to rev up the engine while warming it up in the driveway off a fake-a-lake setup as part of Spring launch prep and Fall winterization. Can’t rev it too long though as it pulls the water from the bucket faster than the hose can fill it.

Tesla makes an amazing car, but their profitability to date is dependent on Tesla selling their EV credits to other car manufacturers whose car fleets don’t meet the fuel efficiency standards overall. Once Ford, GM and other are producing their own EV’s they don’t need to buy the credits and hence Tesla’s bottom line will be truly tested. I would guess that is probably 5 years out, but competition will make things really interesting - I personally am excited to get the Rivian R1T next year when the extended battery pack (400 mile range, 200 if towing) comes out. That competition will pave the way to eventually find its way into the boat market.

I put an Interstate MTZ AGM starter Battery in my ski Nautique 5 years ago, still running strong. They are designed for modern cars with high auxiliary draw. 4 year warranty, made in the US.

If you try and make the switch, ease into it. One of my ski buddies tried switching mid season right in the course and instantly induced a bad case of golfer’s elbow on one side that has been haunting him for two years now with no sign of abating despite doing PT...

@lpskier - where is that picture/house? Looks like the Adirondacks in upstate NY? I think I even saw that lake house listed for sale maybe 5 years ago?

Jenny LaBaw will put together a customized remote personal training curriculum for waterskiing based on your needs, if you are looking to train 4-5 days a week - this is the way to go IMHO. I have been training with Jenny for the past year and she is awesome. As a former college wrestler and then coach, I always prided myself on not needing a trainer, but I am so glad I signed up for her program as I wasn’t focused on mobility or the areas I was weak that are critical for skiing. DM me if you have questions. www.JennyLabaw.com

If your turn islands have palm trees on them you are not allowed to comment on this thread :-)

One other criteria to consider is the strength of the dealership and their service department. I have experienced dealers for both brands that run the gamut - some are awesome, some are terrible.

Are you running it again to pull AF through the system? On my 2006 SN I just drain the water out and manually pour a gallon of AF into the block via the hose that goes to the starboard exhaust manifold and then pour AF into the heater lines and push it through via compressed air until I see it out the return side.

Rip curl 4/3 flashbomb zipperless chest entry - tight as a drum. I’ve had the O’Neill psycho 3 and it leaked a bit at the neckline on take off or crashes.

@The_MS had I known I would have recovered it for you!

Taken on my street last week...