tjs1295

I’m speaking as someone who has dealt with multiple bilateral shoulder dislocations, and labrum repairs in my 20’s and 30’s. Coming back from your injury in approximately eight weeks seems extremely ambitious. Then again, everyone is different.

@EM_ Thank you for the insight. I knew the prize money wasn’t enough. Just thought there was a lot more behind the scenes sponsorship money to allow you to train, travel, and compete without too many financial concerns. It’s a tough passion to participate in.

Wow!!! Is the money at the highest level of professional water skiing that bad? I know absolutely nothing about it, but I always assumed the top 10 skiers were able to make a living while competing in the sport. If they aren't able to make a living at it now, were they able to back in the 80's and 90's?

PTM.

@Wish I just saw that today, and was thinking the same thing you are. I was expecting 900 hours, not 90. Maybe it's cheaper because it has a tower??? Just kidding!!

@BraceMaker Great points. I've noticed a lot of new stuff around me as well. That's why I thought things were still going full steam ahead. I knew harder times were coming, but was surprised by the MasterCraft news, and Horton mentioning the entire industry is down 30%. I guess it's already happening.

Interesting. I watched a couple news clips from that area. I’ve been out of touch with the industry as of late. Didn’t realize it was down. Makes sense though. Those interest rates probably make a big difference if you’re financing.

Sorry if I'm asking a dumb question, but why is the prop not safe?

Well done. Really enjoyed it.

Thank you for sharing. Puts so many things in perspective.

I think the ACME 422 is the best prop for that boat. I'm not an expert, so hopefully others confirm or deny. I had one on my 1994 Ski Nautique. Previous owner put it on. I don't know what the 3 blade prop was like.

@Drago I don't remember all the details, but I don't think Bryant put the boats together the same way Nautique did. There were some posts in the past from owners complaining about how hard it was to access certain areas that were accessible on previous models. I think quality control was down a little bit as well. And at the end of the day, Nautique took the boat back, and kept doing it themselves. Others can provide much better info than I. Just remember a few complaints coming up here and there.

@dave2ball Got it. Thank you. Did Bryant start around 2018 -2019?

What years did Bryant make them, and is it best to avoid those if possible?

@bananaron Gotcha. Definitely it’s twin then.

@bananaron was this boat towed through northern Wisconsin around May 10th?? I saw the exact twin if this wasn’t the same boat. Absolutely stunning. I haven’t seen those colors before, but the one we have is very close to it.

I can't comment on course or competitive skiing, but I have thoughts about recreational skiing at least in my small part of the world. I do think the sport is very expensive, but for arguments sake, let's say money is not a barrier. My wife and I both work part time, and live on a lake with our boat on a lift in northern Wisconsin where it's hard not to live on a lake. It doesn't get any easier for us to water ski. There are basically zero course skiing opportunities up here, but that's an entirely different issue. However, the biggest thing preventing me from skiing as much as I want is that this goofy sport always needs at least one other person to do it. No matter what, there has to be a driver. We're lucky in Wisconsin to no longer need a spotter, but in how many other states is that a requirement? So now you need one, if not two other people to go along with you. I participate in a lot of different activities year round. Water skiing is the only one I can't do by myself. I no longer participate in team sports, but even a lot of those can be worked on by yourself (at least technique/fundamentals). I think slalom skiing is very difficult, and needs a lot of time spent doing it even to be a good free skier. I only get better when I'm behind the boat. It's very hard to do drills or work on fundamentals without being behind the boat. That's not the case with many other sports/activities. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it comes down to access in a certain way. Even if you are the most driven skier alive, have a brand new tournament ski boat on a private lake with a course, 24 hours of daylight with 85 degree temps, you can't do anything without a driver. And the weather/wind is another variable that really impacts this sport especially when dealing with public water. I won't even try to address the topic of other boats sharing the water. Lots of things need to align in this sport. Not so with many others.

There are at lest two of the newest Ski Nautiques sitting on lifts on the public chain of lakes I'm on. Both from last summer. Only one modern ProStar that I'm aware of, and it's at least 4-5 years old.

Wow, looks nice. I don't remember all my years of PCM engines, but would this one have been converted to carburetor, or from the factory like that?

Eagle River, Wisconsin today. The lake is out there somewhere. The good thing is that the lakes never formed very thick ice. So hopefully once it does warm up, it will open up fast.

In a ski boat, no. In a pontoon or fishing boat, sure. I'd miss out on a lot of fishing and cruising if I didn't go out in whitecaps. Anyway, I might have misread the original question. The 196 is fine in waves if you need to get from point A to B. If out for a leisurely afternoon cruise with friends/family in rougher water, I don't think it'd be much fun.

@footnote22I have a 2007 196, and it is used on a chain of public lakes. I personally think it stinks for cruising, especially in whitecaps. I'd rather not go out, than take the 196 out in whitecaps We bought a pontoon boat for cruising a few years ago, and haven't used the 196 since for that purpose. I like to cruise at 8-12 mph. Not too fast, not too slow. With the 196 it's either at 4-5 mph or 18-20. Anything in between is just plowing through the water, and very loud if you want to talk to anyone. Then again, if it's your only option, it will work just fine. It'll work. Just don't want you to think it's "decent" in whitecaps like the guy told you.

@skibrainNow THAT really is perfection!!! Nothing better than perfect corduroy or tracks. Glass water is up there, but I don't need a driver and other skiers don't ruin my outing.

I hear you @Shell I should clarify a little bit. I do understand the car stuff, just not enough to justify the expense for me. I've driven the nice cars at one of those places in Las Vegas, and we have a Lexus IS 300 F sport. I know that's not much, but it's exciting enough for me. If I could drive a fast/nice sports car once or twice a year, that would satisfy my cravings.

@6balls A Porsche would definitely fit there!!! I give thanks all the time that I'm not a car guy. This has been my setup for 17 years. Not enough room in the house for all the gym equipment. I was living the covid life before covid. I'm not very close to a gym, and I don't want any built in excuse for not working out. I'm also antisocial, and a massive home body. And no one will care if I use the rower for 2 hours while listening to hair band music.