shansen345

1) MasterCraft 197 - easily

2) Later Nautique 200

3) 2008-2009 Nautique 196

4) 1995-1997 MC PS190

5) "Bubble-Back" Nautique (my favorite boat)

Mid 80's MC S&S gets an honorable mention too

Love my Eagle vest.

Nautique 206 is another great option.

I ski behind a buddy's 2005 Malibu Response LXI occasionally. Ton of space inside and I like the slalom wake. But oh boy, that low bow sure takes on water if you're not careful.

2018 Vapor Pro Build 67"

D3 T-Factor front boot

Wiley RTP

Love my setup! Sorry the pic is crummy..

 

Skied with a Stargazer boat for 4 years. Fine system overall, but sometimes it really did what it wanted to. Couldn't ever figure out why..

Set a PB on my 2018 Vapor Pro Build on Saturday. Love my ski.

My PB was set just last weekend behind my buddy's 2005 Malibu Response LXI.

Senate Lithium or Pro Build are great options. HO Omni Syndicate is also supposedly a killer ski for that speed.

Put your current bindings on your new ski and the adjustment period will likely be pretty short.

I really dig the T-Factor bindings (D3's front lace-up). I'm on a T-Factor front with a standard rubber RTP. I have a few friends on double T-Factors and a few others on double Leverages (which, until recently, were rear lace). They're both good bindings.

No personal experience with them, but all my other ski friends that aren't in hard-shells are in Radar bindings of some sort.

That's a great spot. I free-skied in Kirkland a lot last summer and a little earlier this summer too. Lake has been super warm this summer - love it.

Glad to see another skier on the water. Most of my friends want to wakeboard..

My humble opinion:

1997 and newer Ski Nautique has got to be my #1 pick to fit your requirements. 1997s-2001s in particular have a special place in my heart, though.

Close second has got to be 1995-1997 MasterCraft ProStar 190. 1998-2000 "SportStar" is the same hull as this. Don't get a 1998-2000 ProStar..

Then there's the 1999 Malibu Response. Oh boy, that is an underrated boat. I'm not as big of a fan of the mid-2000s Responses as many are. I can't put my finger on what it is, but there's something weird about driving them.

Awesome! Is that Lake Washington?

Mix white vinegar with water 50/50 in a spray bottle. If that doesn't work, then try something more... inorganic. With boat or car care, I always like to start with the least aggressive method possible and then work my way up if it doesn't work.

@Stevie Boy If it's a Connelly team member, she probably gets a new one every year. 2019 gear is almost out for many companies.

Spent Saturday and Sunday at Ski Park Lake (Orting, WA)!

https://www.wileyski.com/product/ho-syndicate-a3-waterski-2014-66/

Okay so I know that this goes against what I commented above, but here's a good deal on (from what I understand) a good course ski. Will be less forgiving than a Senate/Omni and require a little more work across the wakes because of the smaller width, but it's the right price and I've seen people learn the course on various levels of skis. If you would rather get the Senate/Omni, wait until the end of the summer when people are buying new stuff and hit up Ski It Again.

Also, now that I think about it, D3 Quest or X7 are also good skis to learn on. Or an ARC if you can find one for the right price. D3 is a forgiving ski brand in general.

66"-67" is going to be your fit.

Sorry for rambling lol

I would also recommend a Radar Senate. 2015 and newer are supposedly the best years. Any of the 3 versions will do, but I usually recommend the middle (Graphite) version for someone learning (cost vs. performance). If you're at 150 and gaining some pounds, then maybe the 67" would be best for you. You might outgrow the 65", and the Senate only comes in even-number lengths. HO Omni is another good ski, I just don't have as much experience with them. Start at 28MPH and work your way up. Good luck!

@UWSkier and MC made the SportStar for a few years! With that being said, though, I doubt CC will continue to make the 200.

Use a D3 hardware kit. It will come with the shorter screws for the middle holes. That should keep it in place. Most new ski inserts take the same screw thread.

I personally prefer the 196. I like how it drives a bit better. Both have good wakes, but the 196's seems softer to me.

D3 Quest or X7 (kinda the same ski) might also be a good place to start if you find one for a good price. Very stable ski.

Check out Ski-It-Again for a used Radar Senate. Any flavor will do, but the Graphite is a nice balance of performance and affordability IMO. Wiley's also has some close-out deals sometimes.

Sorry, might be tough to beat this one. Sunset at Roche Harbor, WA.

 

1997 or newer Ski Nautiques are all fantastic. 1994-1997 MasterCraft PS190 is another great option. The 1994 and 95-97 are different hulls, but 1994 was the first year that EFI was standard. Most prefer the 1991-1994 hull, but I am partial to the 1995-1997 for a few reasons. 1999 or newer Response would also do well by you.