chrislandy

Yes and no, the difference between running the engine even on tickover with cover up, cover down (no insulation) and cover down (with insulation) was remarkable, even quieter when driving. I'm guessing it stops any low frequency standing waves and resonances from the engine, attenuates the higher frequencies (pulley noise, air intake, injectors etc) better seal on the intersection of the cover and deck, it all adds up. It was definitely worth doing, and being an engineer I had to measure things too 😉

That was me, and they work for slalom/trick/wakeboarding/kneeboarding/tubing i.e. where there aren't any obstacles, protect the ears and stop burst eardums from side slaps plus dissipate some of the energy on water impact..

Did mine a few years ago and it went from observer shouting to talking, ears ringing after 8hrs driving to hearing the water breaking off the bow. so 95db to 60db in the drivers seat.

I remember watching on TV Patrice Martins jump crash after he'd retired, he did a one off invitational comp and crashed big time. Can't find a video of it though 😞

It's really easy, I did it a few years ago in about 2hrs but had one extra pair of hands. , disconnected the propshaft, removed the exhaust hoses for ease of access and disconnected any cables etc, then just undid the bellhousing to engine bolts and separated the two. Swapped in a new R&D Marine damper plate and bolted everything back up again.

@Reider I had a 1996 205 MasterCraft for 20 years, personally I never had an issue family and kit in the boat (with a tower), the wakes were good for general skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, tricking etc. The bow was relatively deep, but I still would never let any kids in the bow whilst underway. The skegs were quite a way back so you could beach it if you wanted and if the beach slope isn't too shallow (which we did regularly as there was no other realistic option at one of the lakes we frequent) We'd still have it if the kids hadn't started tournament skiing, although I would possibly look at a 205V or one of the X series if I was looking for a good allrounder. Plus they won't break the budget and are easily maintained at home or on the lake.

My son (12) wants to start jumping this year, we had a pair of old Mastercraft jump skis last year (which he loved) but they were stolen off the jetty over the summer. In the UK they are rarer than a hen with teeth looking for rocking horse poo, so are there any alternatives or does someone have an old set or 68/70" knocking around (if only) that could be brought back by one of our UK skiers visiting the US? They were on loan from a ski club so I need to replace them one way or the other. The alternative is for me to build a pair (not outside of my skillset before anyone poo poo's the idea), so any guidance on width, stiffness & layup would be appreciated (via private message) TIA Chris

@JordanOz Thats what I had until I had an engine hydraulic when the EGR cooler cracked and dumped the engine coolant into the inlet manifold (at 70k miles / 110k km) I loved my Wildtrak 3.2

And yes, it can tow more than 2 miles...

me, 3. 2 private one publicmy son, 8/9 i think, mainly private lakes / ski schools

@LeonL I suppose though, the potential salary that kid could earn playing hockey is likely tens of multiples higher than that of a pro waterskier. Our kit just costs money for the sake of buying new kit / progressing / replacing broken bits; that kids kit was probably seen as an investment to get a scholarship and potential career his/her parents

I've had my 2015 act similarly this year, but it has always coincided with really bright & hot days, so presumed the screen overheats in the sun and gets some ghost touches (for mine it's usually the speed up and pull type areas that get the ghosting)

I'd be more worried about the binding release pressure changing and getting pre-release as the ski flexes

Having done a lot of kids development days over the last few years I can whole heartedly agree with @Horton The crap I've seen 8-14 yr old kids trying to ski on is ridiculous. In the UK we have a very club based mentality (due to lake access) so most kids are thrown a 1980's kidder out of the club locker once they can mono with an old stiff high-wrap, only once they get half decent do they invest in a ski. But again, due to access, we don't normally get to try before you buy. But thanks to a great group of people running "Friends of Tournament" here in the UK, they are trying to promote and develop youth skiing so loan out new and used good quality kit to kids to try first

@ProStah_Skiah I filled mine to the brim a few times over the summer at a different lake, similar fuel (98 E5 - super unleaded in UK/France) and gauge indicated full. After a 5hrs skiing it was reading empty. I must tell you now that I run 99% on LPG so the first 3-4hrs was using the 15gal of LPG and then it switches onto petrol. But it only took 5-10gal to fill the petrol tank again - but it wasn't a similar volume each time.

I'd say they nailed the graphics, my 11yr old took one look at it and wants it

Mine reads empty with 3/4 tank then other times 3/4 full on vapours, don't trust the fuel gauge!

wasn't it 60k at release?

check the plugs to see if it's one bank / injector / plug thats rich or if it's generally running rich. Could be the coolant temp sensor too.

I have one, great fun and can "fly" using an unballasted prostar at 10mph, can even use it without at boat and just pump around the lake and catch other peoples wakes. Infact we did it behind a 12ft zodiac with a 15hp yammy On Nicolas LeForestiers advice we bought a GONG mast and wing/stabiliser (350 Euros) and bolted it to an old wakeboard. I rode it for 5km before my back got tired I'm 180lb and use a 1900mm2 920mm wide front foil (but the same setup worked for my son below, he just had to stand a bit further forward than me)

The 4 buoy was perfect, if they'd had 6 then the spectators would have missed 1 or 6

2010 Nautique 200 with tower and back seats would be a good find, lots of storage, fair size internally, depending on budget I'd push for a 2014 ProStar (first of the newer shape) if you can find one at the right price - absolutely massive inside, is surfable (for a ski boat) and will see you though for 10 years or so

@ghutch there was a lot of banter on and off camera so I'd say they enjoyed it a lot, winding each other up at each end of the lake, spraying each other, then on the bank it was very relaxed with the pros mixing with the kids and generally having a good time (although I think some of our American friends found it a bit chilly!)

Having watched this yesterday in person, it was absolutely amazing.

The Duel is this weekend, haven't seen anyone else post the livestream so here it is https://theduelwaterski.com/live/ live from 14:15 BST (9.15am in Florida / 6.15am in California) Saturday and 13:00 BST Sunday