JBB

Though, I will say that once you are getting up consistently, they can get in the way. For example, adjusting your hands or dropping a hand for a cut, they can be a real PITA. They were a good short term fix for me.

When I was getting back into it, these helped... https://www.radarskis.com/product/vice/

I was able to upgrade at the end of the season, at a great deal, so I am letting this ski go. It has a 2016 freemax on the front and a 2015 on the back. I bought the second boot after I bought the ski at the end of last year. It has been skied on ~30 times, then was hurt on a good crash. Upgraded to hard-shell bindings. I am asking $400 on Ski-it-again.com, but will sell to a baller for $350. PM me if you have any interest.

I am not sure this is much help, but I will be posting a 69' 2016 HO CX tomorrow. I has been skied on ~30 times, and will have double freemaxx bindings. My cousin skis on the Radar Senate Alloy, and they a similar. The CX is a bit more slippery and likes to turn a bit harder than the Senate. Just putting it out there.

Thanks for the heads up on the brittle parts. I confirmed that I would be receiving the updated base to the binding, and pulled the trigger!

Recently this forum convinced me that the best way to protect my bad ankle was to move to a releasable hardshell bindings. I have a line on the HO syndicate hardshells. Does anyone have experience with them?

@mmosley899 My HO CX uses the direct connect system, and isn't pre-drilled for a standard plate. Will your system connect properly?

I have the CX, and love it.

Thanks! So that looks like option 2; a hard shell system. How stiff is it?

I have referenced this site, as it seems to be the most comprehensive water ski forum out there... so thank you in advance. Long story short, I am looking of a new solution to my binding issue. This past weekend I was skiing in choppy water (I knew was too choppy), and bit it hard and sprained my ankle. My foot never released from the boot, and I crashed forward (and the ski went toward my chest). As a bit of back ground, I have had torn ligaments surgically repaired in my left (front) foot before, and have had several severe sprains. I am pretty nervous about another tear. I am skiing on a HO CX, and use a toe plate in the rear. I don't have access to a course, so I am mostly an open water skier. I believe my three options are: 1) Start double booting (but i tend to pick my heel up crossing the wake); 2) go with a binding system (like the syndicate hard shell system; $$$); 3) something smart and creative that you guys would come up with. Any input, direction or advice would be greatly appreciated!