Jetsetr

On 11/7/2023 at 7:11 PM, ForrestGump said:

One huge thing that Chad Scott taught me is that the mistake most new and even average drivers make is fixating on the next set of boat guides.  The good drivers are looking down course.  As a skier, ever heard "look down, fall down"? It's the same for drivers.  As soon as you start looking at the next boat guide, you get behind the skier.  Plus, As soon as you start staring down the next boat guide, you tend to drive towards whichever side buoy you're looking at.  

Some drift but....

This is how pilots (the good ones at least!) land aircraft...look all the way down the runway. If you look right in front of you, it’s not going to pretty.

Slow the boat down some more...try 28...

Faster speeds means EVERYTHING happens faster including crashing. Slower boat speed means you have more time to work on fundamentals and you need to get that right FIRST...you also may be able to catch/correct an issue before you crash. 

X2 for Terry Winters coaching, the on line content is great...

He’s my take on helmets in general being a professional race car driver...

Helmets (other than for competition that require approval) for snow skiing, waterskiing, biking, boarding etc etc have no standard for quality or conformity...

I think they’re a good idea anytime and head impact is a possibility, but the lack of a rating standard REALLY bothers me.

For example my helmet is SFI, FIA and Snell rated. It must meet a standard and has gone thru a battery of testing to achieve those coveted ratings...they’re also really expensive.

As of now, anyone can make a helmet for the above mentioned sports (and many more) that’s doesn't meet any standard other than looking cool...and that gives the wearer a false sense of security.

As for the on topic of waterskiing I could see more harm than good in certain scenarios, but also a better level of protection in the “freak” incident, such as being bonked in the head by the ski after falling (been there done it).

Just my humble opinion...

Had an issue with a new ski, made a few texts, new ski shows up at the front door!

Can’t beat that for customer service...

Thank you Radar...

Radar Vapor...

Lake test of the Reactor...

Very comfortable,, didn’t notice any hinderance in  movement. Much more flotation...

Didn’t crash test it (fortunately haven’t done that in a while!).

I really like it...

Have a XL Radar Drifter available if anyone is interested. It’s in good condition...

I have a 69 Senate I will part with if your interested...

I think the 67 is going to be difficult on the pull out and ride, it’s going to ride deeper than normal. It’s going to be physically demanding, but if that’s what your after it will be ok.

If you come up on two and drop that would probably be ok, at least for a pullout.

Went with an O’Neill Reactor...will be here tomorrow.

Lake test Friday...

6 hours ago, TomH said:

You have to have a USCG vest for every person on board and accessible, but I don't believe you're required to wear it while skiing (haven't seen that requirement when searching). 

I wouldn't expect any USCG vest that you use for skiing to roll you over in a face down condition (they won't).  The only ones that may roll a person face up are Type I or Type II.  

For your use case though, it's not a bad idea to run a USCG, as you'll have a specific minimum amount of floatation.   If you do choose to stick with comp vests, it's always a good idea to check that they'll float you enough (blow all your air out and see if you're still on the surface).  The amount of floatation in comp vest varies wildly between brands and models.

Good friend of mine is in law enforcement and deals with this pretty often. She’s pretty sure it’s Wisconsin State Statue 30.69, might be a DNR Statue.

In Wisconsin the skier MUST have a USCG approved vest.

However, the reality is if they see a vest of some sort you’re probably not going to get stopped unless there’s other issues that caused the stop.

8 hours ago, Taynton said:

I liked the Hyperlight vest not exactly sure the model, it was ok for skiing as far as the bulky vests go. Why the change?

Two reasons:

1 In Wisconsin on public waters you must have a USCG approved vest for skiing, wake boarding etc etc...Haven’t been checked.

2 The bigger concern is the Drifter won’t roll you over if you’re face down. 90% of my skiing is open water on a public lake. I do ski aggressively, and I’ve had some wicked falls (fortunately in the past). In a “uncontrolled “ setting like a public lake the extra margin of safety is worth the extra bulk (at least it is to me). Unconscious but breathing doesn’t do you any good if your face down...

I looked at the O’ Neil Reactor...

Thanks for the input! DM

Not positive this is in the  best category...feel free to move.

Currently using a Radar Drifter vest, non USCG approved. 

Looking to replace it with an approved  vest.

What does the brain trust think is a good, quality vest that meets the demands of slalom skiers? Feel free to list pros/cons.

Thanks in advance...

For me the Vapor give me a more “solid” feeling with wake crossings, and it turns better. It’s more stable at higher speeds. It does what ever I ask of it with very little effort other than the physicality of skiing it(which I like). I can tell the difference between the Alloy Senate and the Vapor, the Vapor just gives me more confidence when I ski it, I know I have a LONG LONG way to go to begin to even reach the potential of the Vapor, but that’s half the journey, right?

I have skied the Union/Session  and it’s too “soft”. It’s close to my Butterknife but they won’t turn nearly as aggressively and they get a little spooky at 30+.

I planned on skiing the Butterknife for the 1st ride of the year and for the week to get back in ski shape after a long Wisconsin winter, but switched back to the Vapor the second day, it just felt better.

A poor analogy would be like riding my RC51 and getting on the Goldwing...they’re both motorcycles but one is a WSB with turn signals and the other is a Volkswagen without a roof or doors-apples and oranges.

For just goof off free skiing the Butterknife/Union is great, easy to ski and  super easy starts. The Vapor is a much more physically demanding ski and I like that part of it. And, I couldn’t pass up the new in the box never used demo ski price.

I wouldn’t call 190 “heavy”, I’m 6ft tall as well, and in very good physical condition for being 60.  Maybe that was just a generalization😉.

@S1Pitts will move the boots up 1 or 2 positions and see if that makes a difference. Worth a try...all it can do is not work!

All good information for sure...

I like the tightening the core thoughts...will have give that a try as well, I can see how that would help...

Unfortunately my driver inconsistency is a huge factor.

i actually have a ski glove that the fingers were ripped off of by a slightly over enthusiastic driver... (I did let go that time and the handle almost made it back to the boat).

The Butterknife is SOOOO forgiving I can ski that behind  anything, never have any issues with deep water starts with that ski, however the shape is much different than my Senate or Vapor.

My boat is a small part of the problem as well...

It came from the Denver area and has a 4 blade SS prop that’s pitched for that altitude,(5500MSL) and I’m running it at 750’ MSL now...I’m going to have it re cupped to drop the RPM down a bit (motor is at 3000RPM @ 30mph) so it has  LOT of pull, especially with an over enthusiastic application of power during pull out. Recupping the prop will soften that up a bit.

These pointers and suggestions are all very good, and I will try them tomorrow. Will have to spend time with my drivers to help them with their consistency as well...

THANKS!

JP that’s what I have been doing as well, but I don’t feel it’s the most efficient way to do it...

I have no issue being towed behind the boat at idle, could go around the lake that way...

I like  Bracemakers ideas, and will incorporate them all.

I THINK I’m delaying the “push” too long. I do make it a point to try and have the ski as flat as possible and the rear foot up against my butt...

That’s the problem with skis like the Butterknife, they’re SOOOOO easy to ski. 

Thanks for all of the comments! 

I will make sure knees are up to/keep at my chest...

I have gone from a baseball bat grip on pullouts back to a palms flat grip, that seemed to help a bit. Right side dominant so I had a tendency to use right arm predominantly on pullouts bat style. Ski RFF so I have the rope on the left side of the ski...

Morning all...

Progressed thru Butterknife, Senate and now riding a Vapor...

Really like the ski, except I’m having having a little difficulty with deep water starts. Had a back injury last season (waaaay too hard of a pullout too proud to let go and got doubled over the ski). I’m not really getting a “pocket” and I stay tucked for much longer on the pullouts now.

Its not really an issue other than its REALLY hard to see where I’m going (actually not that important, I can keep my eyes closed until I feel the ski start to plane), but I feel my technique is seriously flawed...

Im 190# and ski a double boot 69” Vapor.  I skied a RTP & HRTP and really don’t care for them.  Usually ski 3x per week. Wondering if more pressure on the rear leg would help, but I would think that it would actually cause more drag...

Open to suggestions, but a smoother “softer” more consistent pull seems a bit better...working with my drivers to be more consistent but they’re really not. Can’t complain since I can’t drive myself.

What say you? (other than take up gardening!)

Like NEW EZ Slalom...

Used twice since new. Stored indoors, have extra guide/course balls.

$1,700 or offer...

Pick up in SE Wisconsin, or will ship on your dime (going to be pricy, big AND heavy).

PM/DM or what ever its called this week for more information...

Slow the speed down to 28 or so, thing will happen a lot slower and you will be able to learn some proper form and technique...going 34 at this point isn’t really helping you.

For what you’re doing condition wise see if you can find a 69” Radar Butterknife...

Easy to get up on, easy to ski, very forgiving. You’re not going to ski a course (yet) so I would avoid course skis for now. The Butterknife won’t wear you out (a bit wider and has a more forgiving shape), a great beginner ski. The Butterknife has been discontinued but they are still available new or used.

If you’re getting slack you’re pulling too long, or you don’t have enough angle outbound towards the ball.

Slow the boat down to 26. Timing is SO important in course skiing, and the only way to get it right it is to ski a course (unfortunately).

And this is why we can’t have nice stuff...

Product liability at some point will cause us to all be bubble wrapped....

Attempted the double boot to HRTP this spring...

For me, didn’t care for it. Still had too much lateral heel movement, and general sloppiness. Back back to the double boot.

YMMV....

I have an old pair of HO combos I use for teaching...there’s nothing special about them, but I’ve discovered the BEST tool for new skiers is a barefoot boom. It eliminates the rope variable, let’s them find their balance much easier and are close to the boat for verbal instruction...seems like there is just that split seconds where they just can’t find their balance quickly enough and results in a fall (and frustration).

Probably not what you’re looking for but suggest trying it...

I run my Echelon with a max of 1/2 tank of fuel. It holds 38 gallons. Also took the rear seat out (50# less). With the rear seat out you can see the tank and the fuel level (because we all know how accurate fuel gauges are, right???) Makes a BIG difference.

X2 on slicing thru wakes vs bouncing over the tops, too much weight on the ski aft.