keithh2oskier

@ski6jones I can check when I get home if mine has the large loop. I had bought a black Masterline rope earlier this year and it had it but I bought this one for a spare.

Bottom left looks like a phantom.

@Jody_Seal I think he said its a 94 PS 190 so it would be an EFI Chevy 350.

I almost never ski more than 2 sets but we also don't spend all day at the lake so the time between rides might be an hour or two at the most. Early in the season I might stop after 4 passes. I would rather have 4 good passes than just run scrappy passes when I am out of gas.

Started the first weekend of April. Its been windy/rainy during the weekends so I only have 5 sets in so far.

12 oz curls year round. I also sit in an ergonomic chair in front of a computer 8-10hrs/day so I am in a shape. Round is a shape right?

I think your probably fine for a private lake launch ramp. Just take it slow and make sure the ramp is dry. For what its worth, I have basically slid down a wet ramp in a fullsize bronco before launching a MC 190.

Its been years since I traveled, but there was a several year period where I took at least one flight a year and I don't think I ever had any damage. The first year or two was back when KD had the fin blocks that bolted in from the bottom. I took the entire fin out back then. Then I got a single event travel bag and would basically wrap my ski in towels, vest, rashguards, etc. Pretty sure I also wrapped fragile all over my bag as well.

This would be pretty cool. Whats the mount look like?

does it come with a trailer?

If closed bow is an option then @wish is right on with the nautique 196. having a open bow on public water is probably worth it so the response LX or 197 are both good options. I think in 98 Malibu came out with the diamond hull so that would be ideal over a 97.

Cool tool. Do you make billet wing gauges also? Are you just not making them anymore?

Berryessa has a course on it I believe.

E-Z Up Handle?

We have a Speedo neoprene vest for our 2.5 year old. I think we picked it up at Target. We ski on a private lake so enforcement is not an issue. She LOVES the boat but isn't wild about the vest. We usually don't zip it up all the way which gives her a little bit of breathing room especially when she is sitting. Now that she associates the vest with being on the boat she is getting pretty good about wanting to put it on right when we get to the lake. We also leave the buckles a little loose to give her breathing room. Here she is probably a month or two old wearing it... http://i641.photobucket.com/albums/uu136/keithncollins/Claire%20Collins/photo-12_zpse48838b8.jpg

Bummer. My only spare front is a small RFF specific. I would have given it away for just the shipping. Check ski-it-again.com for used deals. Performance ski has good reviews for customer service. I bought my hardshell through Miami Nautique and the guy I spoke with was super helpful and they had good prices from where I shopped around. Not sure where in the U.S. You are but you might have some local pro shops that could let you try on a set of boots before you buy which would be the best possible outcome to ensure comfort.

I think bindings are really a matter of preference on how they feel. I was a long time user of the HO animal boots. My original front was great. When it gave out I went With their new front boot. It was extremely uncomfortable and cramped my foot after a few passes. Just moved to a hard shell and it's so comfortable. I still have my "original" animal rear that has to be pushing 15 years old. Are you right foot forward? What size?

@rpg is right. This is where my Ram struggles with the smaller motor. Peak torque is almost at 4k RPMs where cruising at 65 if closer to 2k.

I have a Dodge Ram with a 4.7 and it tows my Nautique 196 no problem. I mostly tow all flat but the onramp after leaving the lake is fairly steep and blind so I do have to get on it pretty good but no real issue. I do notice my transmission will search for gears more than I like. I do have a tow/haul button but I really dont use it that often. But I do watch my tranny temp and its never been an issue even on hot (100+) summer days.

I think so @andjules He looked like the only one who held his form. Amazing in those conditions. I wonder what the high score was?

No need to go to Nautique. You can check online and see if you can order them from a trailer supply shop or maybe call Ramlin directly. I would be hesitant to go to the local Autozone because they wont know what to do when you tell them you have a boat trailer. Not sure if you can cut the bearing off the spindle without damaging it. I think I tried that when I ruined the spindle on my old truck by over torquing the bearings. Spindles are pretty cheap I think. You may want to call California Trailer Works - (916) 381-7619 after you get everything torn apart and survey the damage. They are a local (to me) and have good reviews. I have never used them personally but they can probably help you out.

That's awesome. They need to do this again. Its only about 2 hours away. Much more entertaining than perfect conditions.

I would be more worried that you froze the bearings to the spindle with all the heat that built up. I don't think you have to replace the entire axle but I would be surprised it a new spindle, hub and bearings are needed. But you wont really know until everything is apart. My guess is you probably blew out the inner seal that holds the grease causing them to burn up. I would replace your other side seal and maybe do the bearings on that one as well. Pretty cheap insurance since its like a $5 part.

any video @wskier ?

I actually think private lake course skiing "might" be harder on the engine/driveline than the recreational Joe who is cruising lakes and pulling kids around. It depends whats harder on the motor, lots of idle time with relatively short periods of 3500+ RPMs (think cop cars) or long periods of cruising at 2500-3000 rpms (your highway commuter). Just to try and put the hours in perspective. My 2010 Ram has ~1800 hours. I have almost 70k miles which is an average of 12-15k/year. My truck probably averages below 2000 rpms which is barely doing any work on the engine/tranny and despite what my Ford and Chevy friends say, the engine/drivetrain should go 4-5k hours without too much trouble. My parents first MC, we put ~1600 hours in 8 years (Almost as much running time as my truck that I drive daily) but it was LOTS of pulling me and friends around a big lake on beginner skis, kneeboards, cruising, etc. And that boat was super reliable up until we got a newer one (and had solid even compression when we sold it). Now lets take a look at a boat that primarily pulls 34-36 mph skiers. The boat is started up and doesn't really get a chance to warm-up before your into the course and pushing 4k rpms. I wouldn't hammer my truck engine like that on my way to work in the AM but I don't think twice about it on my boat... Yes its harder to put 1800 hours on a boat doing this unless your running a ski school or its a communal boat but those 1800 hours are pretty hard. Moral of the story is high hours don't scare me, but its all relative to how the boat was used as 1800 hours of 36 mph slalom is not the same as 1800 hours of towing tubes even if identical boats were maintained exactly the same.