Kellen417

This was incredibly insightful. Particularly the aspects of maintaining connection via loading line vs ski and properly riding the handle to outbound trajectory. I am specifically trying to better this aspect of my skiing to consistently run more 32's and finally make it all the way thru 35. The way you described it, maintaining connection finally makes sense in physical form from start to finish. Just awesome

cool, thanks guys. Bummer on the stolen ski!

I picked this ski up for a project. It came blank except the Connelly logo on the tip. Can anyone tell me the year/model? I originally assumed it was a Hook but it has a pointed tip & no Hook logo. Perhaps it's an even earlier model? Its in pretty awesome shape, just curious... Thanks!

As mentioned, there is definitely give and take with either choice. I have a lot of experience with that mastercraft & it's a fantastic tow boat. Primarily if you are interested in ease of use considering the motor with regard to fuel consumption, winterization or if your primary use is open water slalom/barefoot with small all around wake. The take is no platform so you either get in the ski in the water or balance on the back deck while mounting up and then roll into the water. Won't fit a ton of people tho That Inboard is a pretty large hull like my buddies old MC. I'd suppose a nice stout slalom pull compared to the outboard but a wake that's pretty gnarly until 28 and surely 32 & in would be nice & flat. You can fit more people in it and it has the platform. In my opinion, either one is a HUGE step up from an I/O so win either way but if you are still new to slalom skiing and not running a course... I'd prob go with that MC outboard until you want to jump to the next level of commitment in your skiing& financially in a boat. That's what we did over the past 7/8 yrs... Glastron Carlson with 140 OB Mastercraft barefoot yami 200 2003 response PP Newer response with ZO Each boat cost more to buy and needs more attention to maintain.... But skis that much better I'm going to try to copy a Dropbox video link of us skiing behind my buddies '90 MC barefoot with a newer engine. Same boat you're looking at But 175 4 stroke merc So You can see the small wake/pull - should be -32 off. Wake just a bit firm, but narrow and flat. More so as you get further in. Strong pull for an Outboard but you can budge it a bit especially if the driver isn't on point. Tracks pretty well too, considering.we ski this boat when on vacation in the Northwoods on a portable course. Keeps us from jonesin'!!! LOL Hope it helps https://www.dropbox.com/s/rbyt5w5zjvwx9io/Video%20Sep%2024%2C%206%2016%2047%20PM.mov?dl=0

Thanks! This was kind of a special circumstance and was approved by Nate. Unfortunately I don't have shots of CP

@wskier just Send me a message and I'll let you know how to proceed

@SkiJay I tried the numbers Horton listed above for a 66: 2.445 6.950 .740 Pretty awesome, but as you mentioned above it's possibly a little bit too aggressive on the smaller ski. If I'm super conscious not to give it too much input, it's great. I'm curious What changes you would suggest to smooth it out just a touch? Thanks

Yep, xl & l

I Still have 1 medium women's tank 1 XL & 2 Lg men's

Good call, i love slalom photography also, it's what led to creating those Nate T's...

Thanks guys! I feel very compelled to make this point to new skiers because it can alleviate a great deal of frustration And bad habits right off the bat. Go get 'em @JAG!

Haha, thanks Kim. I love the photo. Nate told me to sell them so I figured I needed modeling photos! Apparently the shades didn't conceal your identities

I was right where you are 4 yrs ago. All the advice here is excellent. However, I'd like to address something completely unrelated to technique, but rather physics. You even mentioned this at the end of your post. I learned the hard way when I knew no better and tried for 3 weeks to run the course on an F1 at -15 and 30mph after free skiing it at 34mph + and -22 & -28. I did make the course a few times on the f1 but the simple fact is there just isn't enough support underneath high performance skis designed specifically for short lines @ 34-36 mph to make skiing at 30mph any easy task. I feel as much as you can try to make positive changes and ride balanced etc etc you are fighting a losing battle until you get on a ski better suited to support you at 28-32 mph. A larger ski will allow for glide and balance , giving you confidence to get up over the front foot on your 2,4,6 with out dumping you over the front or skiddishly going like hell when you give it too much input. Essentially You are trying to walk a tight rope while trying to learn an already incredibly hard sport. You can learn to move properly on a larger ski and carve a turn much easier. The ease of width will blow your mind. On this vapor You want to stay back because this is a comfortable place on a high performance ski at those speeds. Yes, good skiers get it done when they are messing around but it's no easy task. I was accidentally pulled thru the course at 28 mph on my 66 in GT @ -22 last week. I ran it for the hell of it and damn, it was LOTS of work. I had to watch how much and when I moved to the front of the ski or it would just stop. I was always plowing water. Not an ideal situation. Back when I first learned I ditched the F1 & changed to a carbon V. I immediately ran most all of my attempts at 30 -15 and got thru 34mph quickly. Best decision I ever made. The coefficient x's are also awesome. spending $ on a new ski sucks but it won't when your are progressing within a few rides. Just my 2 cents but if I were you I'd go demo a ski designed for learning at long line and slow speeds. I think you'll be impressed

In case I didn't word that correctly, the 28$ includes shipping

Hi, I made these for friends and family from a killer photo we got of Nate. The initials on the bottom are my dads, he took the photo. As of now, I have 6 left. 3 L 2 XL 1 women's tank - medium I did not plan another run, but if I get a nice response I can have more made relatively quick. They are made from a lightweight blend for warmer weather and they are tough shirts, they will last. They are 28$ each including shipping to the lower 48. First come first serve, send me a message Thanks, Kellen

I struggle with the same issue. Holding the handle in my fingers, "hooking the handle" like I was rock climbing rather than holding it deep towards my palm giving me too much leverage with my biceps has helped a lot. It's actually only the underhand grip That gets me. Keeping it in my fingers helps my Arms stay longer , handle lower, transition earlier/more natural and use the boat better. I can do a tremendous amount of pull-ups, this DOES NOT work at speed thru the slalom course. The more I just hang on for the ride the better the ski works & the earlier/smoother the pass