tjs1295

 

I only cross country ski (mostly skate technique), but I would take a day of cross country skiing every time over a day of water skiing. I love water skiing, but the cost, need of other people, daylight hours only, and constant threat of someone else ruining your water makes it a no brainer for me.

Thank you!!! I'll give it a shot.

I have a mityvac already that I use for draining the transmission fluid. I'd like to use it to drain my oil, especially when it's on the lift. Does anyone know what size parts to buy to get what Horton has on the previous page made by Richard Doane? The engine is a 2007 Excalibur.

Very nice!!! Now I want to read an article about retiring at 53. That's even more impressive to me. Congrats on that accomplishment as well.

Wow. I'm surprised to see a few comments about not having interest unless there is a course. I feel incredibly fortunate every single time I get to glide across water behind a boat that was only a dream as a kid. I have to pinch myself some days.

Awesome picture!!! With the rain we're going to get the next few days we might be able to ski on top of the ice.

Jboss, you can add me to your northern Wisconsin list if you like. Depending on the week I'm either in Merrill or Eagle River. Boat is only in Eagle River. I'm in Eagle River right now. Here's the tables on the deck from yesterday. Probably won't be skiing this week.

 

No doubt it's a fun sport. I ride/rent one every once in a while when friends come up to visit, and they want to go. We stick to daytime hours as well. It's crazy how fast even the basic rental sled will go! I can see how they outrun their headlights at night.

Here are a few numbers about snowmobiling deaths in WI. 19 for the 2017/2018 season. 5 in ONE weekend back in February 2019 (11 as of 2/21/19). My sibling is an ER physician in the Minocqua, Eagle River, St Germain area. He says the water sports injuries are nowhere close to the snowmobile injuries/deaths. Maybe that activity is the one that needs a spotter, or speed controls on the machines? I'm not trying to rip on snowmobiles, just trying to show that one activity (sometimes literally on the same lakes) results in much more physical injuries/deaths than the other.

I followed this law closely, and took full advantage of it last Summer. I agree with some people about the possible risks, but what sport doesn't have risks involved? It seems like having a spotter is what we do because we always did it. I see others brought up another northern WI activity, snowmobiling. I bet more people die in WI snowmobile accidents in one year than die from towed water sports in all states combined.

 

Maybe the question should be "what other activities should we require a spotter/buddy to be present for?" Downhill skiing, snowboarding, hunting, fishing, skateboarding, hiking, snowmobiling, etc. All pretty risky activities (yes, even fishing when the weather goes bad). We ski early, and then cruise (or sit on the pier) when everyone else is tubing.

 

Also, the WI definition of a spotter was very vague. My 4-6 year old nieces and nephews were legal spotters, but I don't think they would have been able to drag my unconscious body out of the water. So, do we beef up the spotter requirement as well? I'd also understand it being a problem more if WI was the first state to do it. We're far from it.

Thanks for the info Dacon62. I was hoping for something like that.

My only concern with the width of the new boats is whether or not they will fit in my garage for winter storage. I think the width is 104 inches. My 196 fits OK, but it's a little tight. Not sure the newer boats would. That would ne a huge deal for me.

Ted is probably one of these. CRNA = Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. My wife is the same. Good people to have around.

Thanks MS. I'd be happy as well.

Thanks for the info Roger. I do have power at the dock, but will look at the Damp-rid as well.

Thanks for the saddlebag info. I'm sure there's plenty of room especially compared to my old boat. MS, do you still have the 2013 closed bow 200? Will be looking to upgrade in a few years, but not sure I can swing one year old promo boats (no matter which company I go with). Plus, you're not very far from me.

 

 

I agree with the open bow being overrated. I certainly don't want one, but since I won't be buying new, most used boats that can have either, seem to have the open bow. Perfect scenario for me would be closed bow 200, without ski lockers. Obviously not an option.

Quick question for you Nautique 200 owners. How easy is it to keep those storage lockers dry, and mold free? My boat (1994 Ski Nautique) is on a covered lift all summer, but it never really dries out. I never store any ski gear under the bow or in the small storage compartments. It comes out as soon as I get back to the dock to dry. Family member stored a rope in a small compartment once, and a few days later I was cleaning mold off the carpet. I LOVE Natutiques, but the ski racks, extra walk around room, and hard top of the Prostar seem like huge advantages based on the way we use our boat. We always ski from the house, and when it's cruising time all the extra stuff stays on the dock.

Yes LeonL, the length was accurate. I almost always ski at 15' off, so it's no big deal for me.

I must have gotten the only Masterline that wasn't perfect. Free skiing one day, and wanted to try 32' off. Shortened the rope, and it said 41' off. Thought that was odd. Shortened the rope a little more, and it said 35' off. Finally got the tape measure out to see what was going on. 32' off was labeled as 41' off. Even funnier because the rope I bought doesn't have a loop for 41'off. Shortest is 39.5. Must have been a Friday rope.

Hi Woody, I see you mention the HO Freeride in your first post. I was out of skiing for years, and bought one when I got back into it. I only free ski on public water. It was great for getting the feel for skiing again, but it is not good for aggressive free skiing. After a couple years I bought the HO TX, and now I only use the Freeride the first ski of the year or so. Doesn't sound like you're going towards the Freeride anyway, but just wanted to give you a perspective from someone who was in a situation like yours.

My friend can only drop a ski, and he does it before he's even completely out of the water. No where near being planned off. It usually happens so soon that I don't even see him drop because the water is still spraying everywhere.

I fully winterize my boat, and even pour antifreeze in. I always wondered if I really have to since my boat is stored in the heated garage at my house, and never sees less than 50 degrees. It sees colder temps during the summer on the lift. I'd still do the oil and tranny fluid, but what do some of you guys do who don't use your boat for a while, and don't winterize? Is it still a good idea to avoid rust/corrosion?

I watched the youtube videos of vonman with his boat. Pretty sure he was putting his double boot on the back platform of his boat. Obviously not as nice as an inboard, but it doesn't look all that hard.