tjs1295

 

This part of the wake crossing was the hardest part for me when I shortened the rope. It doesn't look like much (especially when done by Terry Winter), but it feels like your ski is slamming into a curb if you're first trying and a novice skier.

Definitely agree with everyone. Just keep in mind that increasing boat speed, and shortening line length doesn't completely eliminate the troughs and bumps you will have to navigate crossing the wakes. I was always under the impression that doing so would make it feel like nothing is in your way when crossing the wakes. My first time trying it I was wondering what the heck everyone is talking about. There's still plenty to deal with, especially if you're new to slalom skiing and don't have great technique. It's a very different feeling than being at 15 off. Let us know how it goes.

@Andrew11 Very interesting. I used to drive hwy 29 east for work most days, and would always look out at Lake Wausau. I knew people skied out there, never knew there was a course though. Thanks for the info.

@andrew11 Where do you ski around Wausau? I live in Merrill. My boat and skis are in Eagle River, but I'm always curious about what's available around Wausau.

Looks like an Excaliber with the plastic cover off.

@gsmith795 Great insight!! I did more playing around at 28 off yesterday. It does feel better each time. Any major differences between 28 and 32 off? I was going to practice more at 28. But should I just go to 32 off?

@skimtb summed it up perfectly. That's exactly how I feel. Heading out soon for a lot of fun 15 off, and maybe a little more experimenting at 28 off. And no, I'm not a cartel employee, but my employer does make me work a lot of weekends and holidays ?, so weekdays are off.

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I need the give it a few more attempts. I'm definitely flattening out, and slamming into the second wake. The trough feels odd to me. Probably just need to try it more. I just thought there was something magical at 32 off, and that with no effort it would be a sweet ride.

CR1, 32 mph. I will cut through the first wake, rise at the prop wash, enter the trough, then slam into the second wake. Ski is flat at that point. Honestly I'm a little scared to pull hard at 32 off. At 15 off I give it what I can. Seems like a much bigger impact than at 15 off. I guarantee my form isn't stellar.

 

Than, I don't see buoys at any point in my skiing. I might have an opportunity once a year, but I'd have to travel. House and boat are right on the lake. I'm too lazy to go somewhere else, and the opportunities are slim in northern Wisconsin. Real short season on top of that. I just like going out at 0700, and trying to turn. I bet the course in addicting though.

No video for right now. Might be able to get some tomorrow. Than, I think you're on the right path. I just keep thinking I'm missing out on the real fun. Especially when a lot of the advice is "shorten it up, and rip away." Definitely no plans for buoys. So should just keep on keeping on. I do have fun at 15 off.

The boat isn't loaded up. 1/2 tank at most, and my 130 pound wife driving. That's it. I'm on a carbon Omni. I'm definitely landing in the trough. Mostly because I'm still feeling it out. Stack can always be better. Just riding across the wake to see what they look and feel like, the 32 off size feels much bigger than 15 off. Is the goal to cut the second wake, or to generate enough speed off the prop wash to land on top of it? Maybe it's that I'm not used to having troughs instead of ramps for wakes? Either way, everyone makes it look so easy, and it feels a lot harder for me.

I free ski public water (although only in good to great conditions) behind a 2007 Ski Nautique 196 at 32 mph. Rope length is 15 off. I always hear I should shorten it to 28 or 32 off for it to be really fun. I have tried this multiple times over the years, and can never get over the size of the second wake. It seems absolutely enormous to me, and smacks me hard when crossing. I don't think at all when crossing at 15 off, and am able to cut pretty good. Am I just not cutting hard enough? Why does it seem so much harder than 15 off? Thanks for any advice.

Very nice!! Any close ups of the blue flake? Do you just have the bare fiberglass on the interior floor? If so, what is it like with bare feet? I was thinking of doing that if I ever get one.

@TEL, great Hemi insight. I don't have a good reason for doubting them, other than I read about the cams and oil lifters. I'm sure it's a small minority of people who experience problems, then they get amplified on the internet. Still haven't ruled them out for when I need a new truck in the next year or so.

@VONMAN, Is the Chevy V8 different than the Ford V8's (the 5.0 and 6.2)? Owned Chevy 5.3's for 20 years, but the dealer closed, and Ford is a lot closer than any Chevy dealer. Dodge is close as well, but I'm not convinced about the Hemi.

OK, thanks guys. Sounds like I'll have to get rid of it by then........ Just kidding.

Do they all stop at 999.9 hours, or only a few broken ones? I have a 2007, but have a way to go to hit that number.

Toby is right. Warm up those hamstrings!

Not sure how to share a video clip, but I always thought this video of Andy Mapple shows what I do, and what I try to tell others to do. Go to YouTube and search "Skier's Lifestyle: Andy Mapple". At the 5:15 minute mark is a good view of him getting up dragging a leg. Hands low, ski at a good angle, gets over the ski (not behind it), uses core/back to prevent getting pulled forward, then hinge at the hips. He bends his arms a little more than I do, but being the GOAT, he can do whatever he wants.

 

Full disclosure. I'm a hack recreational skier, and not even an average teacher, but this is what works for me. I never really do the rudder thing either. Don't do much with my back leg. There is a pretty good split between front and back. I focus on pressing my front leg, not getting pulled forward, and finally a good hinge like I'm finishing a deadlift.

WOW, beautiful!

Cornhole was on ESPN long before the shut down. It's hilarious. One morning I saw Death Diving on some ESPN channel. They even called it ESPN8 for that hour. Never heard of the competition until that day, but I watched the entire hour. Great stuff.

Except for the tournament part, 6balls completely summed it up for me. Let's hang out at the lake with ANY boat. If it's a direct drive inboard, even better! I have just as much fun skiing at 0600 as I do slowly cruising the lakes at 1500 with friends and family. I'll never be that good, but it's still an absolute thrill every time I get on the platform. I keep our boat in the attached garage, so I see it multiple times a day. I still pinch myself seeing a 2007 Ski Nautique in there. Hard to believe. It is a great lifestyle, and the actual skiing is less than half of the thrill I get from owning a boat, and having access to lakes.

 

I do agree that you can get into the sport for a relatively small amount of money, but I also think younger families are really busy, and don't have a ton of money to throw around (at least in the area I live). I've invited many people from work to go skiing for the day. Just show up, and I'll provide everything else. They would have to drive about 60 miles one way. A few have taken me up on the offer. I also know for a fact that the gas money for them to drive back and forth for the day is not something they take lightly. So, even buying a $5,000 inboard is not something they would do anytime soon.

It's all relative DaveD. I feel pretty confident saying the amount I've spent on skis, clothing, trail passes, and trips since 2001 for my wife and I might equal about 3/4 of what I spent on my Ski Nautique 196. That refers to the sale price alone. Not the lift, insurance, gas, or anything else. It is cross country skiing, so that's much different than downhill.

My set up only works for a skate deck. But here's what I do. The main part is a 30 hp Kubota tractor. I put rear chains on the tires. The drag that I use is a couple layers of plywood. It's probably about 6 feet wide by 4 feet long. I have some screws drilled through the bottom edge to break up ice and provide the corduroy look. That piece of wood is attached to the three point hitch that I can raise and lower the front edge to get various angles. The tires create some troughs, but for the most part are completely filled in by the drag. The chains on the tires help to break up hard snow as well. It's not as good as what a real facility can do, but I do believe it's 80 to 90% as good. My heart, lungs, and muscles sure don't know the difference. I might have some pictures of the trail, and set up somewhere if you're really curious. I'm not quite set up to go so far this year though. I almost forgot, this is not through woods. It's mostly over grass. So that's a huge difference.

Good points BraceMaker. Yes, I definitely rely on groomed ski trails, and ski specific facilities. In fact, I ONLY ski on groomed trails. I took a little initiative though, and created my own triail, and do my own grooming. It's nothing special, just a short loop that takes about 15 minutes to groom. But, with my headlight on I can literally take three steps outside my garage at 0500 and ski plenty before I go to work. So yes, it can certainly be done while it's dark. Or, there are other facilities close by that have trails lit up way past my bedtime.

 

I agree with Cent as well. My boat is kept at a multi-generational house where all I do is push a button to lower the lift. There are a lot of memories, etc. It feels incredible whether I'm gliding on snow or water. Although, I can't remember the last time another person, or group of people ruined my cross country skiing. I need at least 6-7 fingers to count the times it happened just last summer while water skiing. I also get much colder water skiing than I do XC skiing. Sometimes I'm even wearing more gear in the water than on snow.