ghutch

@buechsr yes he did buy it used. A former pro skier had it then a ski school so it had some use on it. However even with all of that... the bottom line was the total lack of craftsmanship and simple problems that should not have happened. Again I understand normal and even above average wear and tear but the problems found after finding one which lead to another is just unacceptable from that level of boat company. Or any of them for that matter.

@Gloersen not half way through the course... at each turn as it suits him.

Having these problems with boats costing as much as they do is bull crap! There is NO pride in workmanship anymore. One of my ski buddies bought a used Malibu (2014 LXI) and had nothing but extremely bad luck with it. Driver seat broke, pylon broke, screen went out (which he replaced @ $1600 and told by local dealer if it went out again tough shit, no warranties on them), a leak due to a hose being too long and wrapping around the transmission shaft, leak at the platform brackets due to no silicone, vent fan hose never connected, a hole where the drain is supposed to be in the ski locker, etc. The boat went to Malibu factory to have the floor done due to it sinking in. When it returned it was soaking wet with shrink wrap on it, oil foot prints on the floor, carpet wrinkled, access panel unable to be lifted out, 2 burned spots in the carpet, ski locker full of water, and several more problems. NO satisfaction from local dealer as he only seems to care about wakeboarders. He has sent emails to Malibu with no response in over a month. A month with this much crap going on! This is the most frustrating part! I get things happen and parts break but alot of these issues have been because of bad workmanship, end of story. He has had other Malibus in the past with nothing but great success which helped me decide on buying an 04 Malibu. The purpose of me telling this is not to bash a specific boat company. Knock on wood mine is running great and I absolutely love it, but no way would I buy a newer Malibu especially with no response from Malibu and a bad experience/relationship with the dealer. My next boat will be either Nautique or MasterCraft. Hope you can get your problems worked out. I just can't imagine buying a new 2019 at the insane prices they are and having those issues with it then having to fight to get anything done. Do they not have a quality control team who checks the boats out before they leave the factory after being made?

+1 for the Pro Gears and Stealth. Very suprised by the Pro Gears. Thin with a great grip and lasting very well.

So I'm curious. I have turned 3 @ 38 this spring. Never tried it before this early and my PB is turning 4 ball. Who else has been skiing better since getting on a Denali? Without a doubt by watching video, getting instruction from #adamcaldwell and reading threads in this forum regarding the GUT theory my skiing has greatly improved and I can still see improvements most times out. The skiing just feels...easier, stronger, more efficient. Anyone else?

Anyone have any cool ideas on how to make some neat storage for ski gear? I have a 20x30 shop and am putting in my old kitchen cabinets. Would love to make it more "ski" specific. Pics?

@scoke I will video next time out if possible. Really wish I had that last 35 pass on video. Just felt incredible. Our weather is taking a turn for cooler here so not sure when I will ski again. Hoping soon

This gem from another thread "What seperates the men from the boys" by Adam Cord really hit home as well: Holding that cross course angle any longer than that is detrimental to short line skiing. In the 1st quote from Mapple above, "start your turn at the 1st wake", we're talking about the start of a process that doesn't end until after the next buoy. It's subtle, hard to see when watching skiers, and easily missed. But this is truly where the ski needs to start coming out of angle. Some skiers are able to start even earlier (Smith and Caldwell come to mind). This is what Caldwell is talking about when he talks about standing up out of angle into the wakes. Different terminology, same concept. Now about the second quote, "your strongest pull should be at the 2nd wake". This one really stumped me for a long time, but after asking a lot of questions, watching a lot of skiers, and experimenting on my own skiing, it became clear that this is in reference to pull on the ROPE, and not pressure on the ski. The second wake is where you have A) just crossed centerline, B ) started to move the ski out of angle, C) are at or near your max speed, D) the Zero Off is gassing you the most, and E) the point where your body's inertia is changing direction the most from cross course to down course. All of that culminates in massive rope loads at the 2nd wake, even if the ski is no longer rolled and loaded to the max, or even if there is no load on the ski. That rope load is not load for the sake of load. F=MA. That load is centripetal force that's SWINGING you up and around the pylon. If your max load was too soon, you most likely have already lost your connection and have missed the swing. You need to be swinging high on the boat to run shortline. How does this relate to this thread? This is all about getting the rotation of the ski to start much earlier than most people think (stivot...?). When done well the preturn is truly a pre-TURN, where the ski is rotated and pointing across the course before you reach the buoy. Finally starting to get it. Hope this helps you all as well.

@Ed_Johnson and @Skierx yes! That is a better way to explain it. Somehow it just clicked, I guess I decided to go for broke and really "pull" after crossing CL which helped me to "stand up" over the ski, arms bent, then it was literally just a ride around the buoy into a tight line and repeat again. It was probably the funnest pass I have ever skied.

Finally an a-ha moment skiing yesterday @ Swerve. Working on standing up more and moving forward coming into the turn while keeping the handle (thanks Bullock). Not sure if I can explain this right but those are the two main points that really stick out. Especially using the handle to "pull myself" up and forward coming into the turn. This was a 35 pass and felt totally unlike anything I've ever skied before. Very easy. Hope I can duplicate next time out. No doubt, without question, hands down it is the ski (L c-75) and the Adams who have taken my skiing to the next level. 28-32 easy. 35 starting to come more easily. Ran 2 35s and 2 and 2.5 @ 38. Never before this early in the season.

Awesome info everyone. This is the type answer I was looking for. I think there is a small margin of skiers who truly, really want to go to that next line length and are willing to do whatever it takes. Thats the main reason I started this thread. I am into 35, run it occasionally and give 38 a shot. I'm at that hump now trying to cross over into the 38 realm. Wholeheartedly agree about the ski being setup for the harder passes. Some settings my 28 will feel like tee total hell but then 32 and 35 you can literally feel the ski come to life. What an awesome sport. So much to learn and fun while doing it (and a little frustrating sometimes). @MarcusBrown can you explain the stivot a little more? In my mind it looks like a slam turn. @adamhcaldwell thank you for the confidence to tweak fin and boot settings with confidence. I am definitley a better skier because of your help and equipment. Also thanks to all the ballers who share their knowledge.

@scoke I'm going to go with hips dragging and shoulders probably tilted. Still struggle with getting them up but they are improving. Thx

None because I don't live in a bubble or listen to the news media and panic over everything. Going to FL Monday thru Wednesday to ski. I'll just keep washing my hands like always.

@Kimbymon keeping the kids alive would be a great reason to go. Plus you're going skiing. Have fun!

I know the old INT League used a mulligan for your 1st passes. If you fell you got a reride. Fall on 2nd pass-done. Run it- go on to next line length. It took some pressure off of the one and done knowing you could get a another shot at your opener. Maybe use something like this in F tournaments only. Keep R L and E the same? Just another thought.

All great suggestions guys. Thanks so much for your answers. I will definitely give these suggestions a shot. I was really wondering what has gotten you through that barrier and also if thats where most everyone experiences that "hump" of running shortline. What about 38? I have turned 4 ball before and it felt like a perfect unison of being in time with the boat and really easy. Excitement got the best of me sadly.

What separates those skiers getting into and through 38 vs those stuck at 35? For the last couple of years I have run 35 more and more but still only maybe 10-20 % of the time. 32 is a pretty easy pass and I rarely miss it but 35 just isn't going down like I want it to. I will say I received a c-75 this winter and actually feel 35 is going to be more attainable this summer the few times I have ridden it over the winter actually running 3 @ 35 right out of the box on it and the pass once. Denali ROCKS!!! Thoughts?

And also as the load is coming on after the turn and just prior to hooking back up to the handle.... correct?

@AdamCord @adamhcaldwell please explain this part- "By putting yourself into a position that lets you hold the line tension, you can actually take more angle and create more speed, putting you further up course." How do I get to this position? What am I looking for here? I believe this is where more confusion is how to get to that position to hold that line tension.

I'm starting to think alot of other skiers are going to be left behind this year!

AND....... what about ZO's response in different boats? 6.0 vs 6.2. vs etc, etc

@adamhcaldwell we are making a trip to FL Feb 7-9. I will test these numbers out and get back with you. Stay @ 7deg. wing and boots @ 28.5 to 28.75?

One thing you can 100% be sure of back then... they were coming out of their bindings!

I think too many skiers get too caught up in having the right conditions, driver, boat path, blah blah blah. In my experience I seem to run pretty much up to my capability most anywhere and with any driver. I can usually run 28-32- and into 35. That's with my regular drivers or my buddy's son just learning to drive, home site or brand new lake. I think ultimately its up to the skier to decide whether they are going to have a good set and accept what they're given or worry about it and let it ruin a potentially good set. I do believe boat path and driving becomes more critical at short line. Just my 2 cents

Woo hoo!! And I'm a proud owner of a L, limited edition.