keithh2oskier

What ski is he on? Depending on his size, going 28 mph alone can be more physically demanding because of the extra drag. Adding a longer rope and now going over two wakes is just going to make it that much harder from free-skiing at a fast short rope. My suggestion if he has an interest in the slalom course would be to slowly get him out to a longer rope and then a slower speed. Maybe start by getting him to 15 off first and then start dropping the speed down to 28 mph. My thought is the wake will be smaller at 34 so getting him used to crossing the wakes (freeskiing) first might be easier and then getting him used to the speed. Might take several sets at each speed line length to get used to the way it skis. Of course if he just wants to do what he likes, he could always just ski the mini course at 34 and -28 or -32. Then everyone is happy.

So I am no longer a rated judge (haven't skied in a tournament since college). But Ed's comment intrigued me enough to look the rule up - posted above. My first thought is how someone could actually not get a full buoy if they cross the line of guide buoys before the next skier turn ball assumming they took the hit and skied away from the slack. My thought process was that it would be virtually impossible to cross the next buoy line without the slack being pulled up first. Then after reading @Than_Bogan comment and re-reading the rule with subpoint 1. it clarifies the point Ed was making. So theoretically the skier has to take the hit "outside" (red X below) of the boat guide line but still cross it before the next buoy, and ride away, to score a full point. Is that a correct understanding?

Interesting @skibrain. For as long as I have been skiing I never realized that those holes were made to essentially widen or narrow a boot. I always had issues cramping on my HO animal and never thought to play around with that. Good tip!

2010 Ram 1500 2002 SN 196

@Mark_Matis, your correct. I did realize that the B is way too long and re-ran the numbers with B being about 12" (estimating what the triangle portion of my handle is) and the increase was slightly bigger - a 10th of an inch or so. Maybe I can just stretch upside down for a few minutes before my ski ride.

@MattP @Mark_Matis; Woo-hoo, finally get to use the pythagorean theorum. Those middle school math teachers were right, this would be useful one day. :wink: Don't have the rule book but I thought the length of the handle was like 5' (60") from center to the rope. That's Measurement B. With a 12" handle your measurement C is 6" and 13" handle has a C measurement of 6.5". So solving for A with a 12" handle gets you 60.3". With a 13" you get 60.35. So while a 13" handle does give you a slight advantage in width at the buoy, that isn't going to help us mortals at probably anything below 43 off.

There have been worse ads to look at.

My dad JB-welded hair line cracks on the head(s) of their 94 MC 205. I think it had around 1400 hours when it first developed. Held for about 200 hrs when he replaced with probably re manufactured heads and then sold the boat.

Keep holding onto the handle and drop the inside arm to help slow the ski down and keep you from falling over.

@swc5150 I just did both on my 196. Swapping the cable is a PITA and takes an hour or two and you really need two people. Dropping the rudder is a 15 min job. The "grease" on mine was really old and dry. I lubed it up with marine grease after and it made a noticeable difference at idle when maneuvering at the dock, etc.

Which way is the adjustable rudder trim tab facing?

How about a geese hit me (had that happen)

haha that's perfect @ThePantsManCan

I think markers totally depend on the conditions, skier, speed, and rope length. What works for me might not work for you. For example I usually ski at 36 (22-32' off) and tend to pull out as the nose of the boat gets close to the 55s. However depending on the wind, I may move that point forward or aft 10'. As the rope gets shorter I feel I have to pull out harder to get the width from the boat. I tend to turn into the gates as the nose of the boat is going through the gate balls but I really need to work on that as I miss my gates pretty often.

Yeh I think the wakeboarders probably would win if it was going into a redbull or monster energy app.

who took the poll?

I think it was 2006 @Wish

I use Global Marine/ACE Recreational Marine for my personal insurance. We have to carry 1M liability for our private site. I dont think USAA (where I have everything else insured) does marine policies. Global Marine was suggested by club members and its what my dad uses for his policy that is similar.

I have skied at Swiss on that lake and I don't recall it being that close. Wow, that photo puts it into perspective.

Hashtags are getting out of control...

@savaiusini Thanks for the insight. This is what I did when I went to hardshell last summer (kept the same rear boot). Looking to upgrade to a newer ski this year probably so this is all good info.

@savaiusini or @Horton, can you provide the proper (or "standard") way to measure front boot placement? Would it be from the tail to the outside heel of the front boot or where your actual heel sits on the ski?

@ski6jones Yes it does have the large loop for removing handles easily.

I think it would have been helpful 15-20 years ago before Craigslist. Now most people that are getting into the sport can pickup "beginner" gear for pennies on the dollar. That gear really doesn't go bad other than the looks. Personally I am in the boat of wanting to teach some friends to waterski but the only gear I have is my competition stuff. My folks have some old doubles from the 90s that hasn't seen the light of day in years so I might just borrow that or scour CL for a deal. The issue I have is storing more gear that only gets used a handful of times a summer and kicking it around 51 weekends a year...