Jetsetr

Gonna throw something out here (get it...throw! Will be here all week...try the veal) I’ve worked on a LOT of injected/supercharged alcohol and nitromethane burning drag race engines. Just because a rod (or several) decides to depart the engine block usually does not/will not cause the engine to seize violently. It’s VERY common for a top fuel motor to drop a cylinder(s) and due to the huge amount of unburned liquid fuel being put into the cylinders to hydraulic the engine and toss the rods out. I’ve seen engines still running at the finish line with 4 rods out of the block. The other cylinders are still trying to make power at least for a little while, it will lock up (sometimes) at some point but not instantly (or the big end of the rod just bashes out enough clearance in the block webbing to continue rotating after the rod breaks) stock cast or forged steel rods usually won’t break so the engine speed drops faster but USUALLY won’t instantly seize. Mr. Moss has not actually seen the damage first hand (other than photos Im guessing) and he’s on his way to look at it now and is relying on second hand information per @Horton. I’m kinda thinking he might find a broken crank but that was caused by an external force(reverse, transmission catastrophic failure or hitting/snagging something), and the uncontained crank caused the rod to come out. Even with a broken crank and rods hanging out it shouldn’t cause a violent seizure... there was no smoke or fire and with a wet sump oil system there’s the possibility of 5/6 quarts (or more) of oil being tossed thru a hole in the block and plenty of really hot stuff to at least cause it to smoke, not to mention steam from the water jacket around the block being compromised. Not sure if that boat has a cast iron block or aluminum but if its cast they have a tendency to shatter and fail along casting lines or other weak areas of the block. Forged aluminum blocks usually just have nice holes where the rods come thru. In all honesty (and as much as I like 18+ year old Scotch) it’s WAAAAY to early to pin a cause on exactly what happened at this point...however time will tell and they should have a better idea AFTER the engine is pulled and torn down, if they even bother. I’m really interested to see what they discover. Glad no one was hurt...that’s the important thing. ***Just watched the video again several times...if that engine cover has an external air intake (like in the front of the cover) when the boat subs the engine probably swallowed a ton of water...THAT will absolutely hydraulic the motor and toss the rod(s) out...my ex wife did the same thing driving her Mustang thru a flooded road and it tossed the rods as well...

@Dacon62 what’s the idea behind the notch???

Have 6 here...let it go back to prairie/wild land with trees (and a MX track out back too) only mow about 2 acres total if even that much...not on a ski lake or “real” Lake. Only 2 miles to the lake for skiing...

@BraceMaker Agree 100% Video of skiing (your own or others) is a tremendous learning tool.

I see your point about the shoulders back @LeonL if both arms are extended in the turn. But with elbows in and handle low in the turn, I don’t think it’s as much of a factor and the handle is closer to where it needs to be for the pull. Not sure it “develops” good form, but it’s one more thing to go wrong that he’s thinking about that’s not really needed @15 off. I probably should have not said it helps with form, although staying connected will never hurt. I’m still initially gliding around the ball with no load on the line so keeping my “up course” shoulder back isn’t an issue, and it helps keep my shoulders square to the boat for the pull. Good form and technique is the key at any speed and any length. Staying connected, elbows in and low, chest up, ankles flexed forward and all the rest is what’s important. More speed and a shorter line will come. But you must start with the fundamentals, and a slow speed will help with finding your balance on the ski and allows more time for the proper form in the course. As a new course skier who really sucked at it I found an outstanding coach who helped me a great deal. What I’m sharing is mostly his advice, and it worked very well for me. I still suck @ course skiing but it’s getting better. Went from 1.5 to a full course @ 15 off. Working at making every pass comfortably before bumping the speed up. Just my experience so far...back to lurking!

Do you really need to one hand a 15 off turn (I don’t anymore)? My coach suggests not. Sometimes that causes more issues, loss of connection, reaching, forward lean etc etc). I stopped doing it to keep proper form and it helped a great deal. It looks cool, but proper form and technique is much more important...if he’s having issues getting back into the swing @ 15, why would you shorten the rope to 22/28? Let’s make it harder and more frustrating! Slowing the boat down (24/26mph) getting the proper form and technique (slower speed buys time to get set correctly) has to come first. More speed and a shorter rope will come. Taking cover for the ensuing crap storm!!!

There’s no crying in slalom skiing”....

That’s a good price...there’s one that is clapped out/worn out near here for the same money...

Snapper? Ya did us a favor...those dudes have some attitude issues...

My decals came, and I had an issue with a lace stop on one boot...received the repair kit with enough parts to do both boots NC...thank you... Now if I could only get an invite to watch the Herb’s Cup @ Radar Lake....

Yup...standing too quickly...give it a bit more time...above is spot on...you’re there....

I requested some decals as well, they responded quickly and they’re on the way.... THANKS!!

Skied with Terry @ Liquid Zone yesterday...Terry and Kristin are great, got some great fundamentals to work on. Looking forward to skiing with him again at some point soon...

Thanks for all the responses...Thanks @Rich....clear and straightforward... I know it’s not a “one size fits all” type of question...but it gives me a place to start.

I will call Terry today and see what’s available.... It looked like on the web site he was pretty much booked up... Thanks @Dirt....

It’s going to feel soft...however everyone is skiing the same conditions so in my opinion the playing field is level...adapt and adjust...

That’s kinda the same as riding MX...look where you want to go early...don’t look where you’re going...

Thanks for the encouragement... Little short on time this trip, but will be back out there in September. I’ve watched the video with Allison and I see some of the things I need to work on... Going to ski later today and tomorrow and going to concentrate on some of the fundamentals... Didn’t realize it was only 62 miles from Napa to Sacramento... Will see if I can get in on short notice... Thanks again...

Ok, here’s a VERY basic question.... After making the turn after the ball, where should you be looking? Back of the boat, horizon ahead of the boat or the next ball? Obviously at some point you need to pick up the ball, so at what point do you do that? TIA!!!

Would love to train with Terry...only have two days (maybe only one depending on what the boss wants to do) so scooting over to SAC really isn’t an option...I’m planning on getting some water time in at Monticello-that looks like an awesome place to ski... Not sure I would want to waste Mr. Winters time being a extreme novice... I do plan on subscribing to his on line and video coaching... I kinda went into brain freeze when I skied @ Stillwater’s...first time on a course and having a big dawg waiting for me to finish up so he could get some sets in (self implied pressure, no external what so ever) has made me a little gun shy (the award quality OTF didn’t help either). That’s one of the reasons I purchased my own course and set my own boat up. I don’t consider failures as failures, just learning experiences...but as a type A-semi control freak (most pilots and pro race car drivers are, and I do both) I don’t like going into something totally unprepared and looking like I have absolutely not clue as to what I’m doing... Want to be better prepared if I decide to compete at some point, but in reality I do this for FUN first, the great exercise and personal satisfaction...

Got the scoop from @travtitle hopefully get some pulls in Wed or Thursday.... Looks like a great place to ski...

UPDATE: EZ Slalom and PP ordered yesterday...due to work (my ski is going to California!) won’t be able to drop the course for a few weeks...

And a new spare (or two), a jack that fits the trailer and the correct lug wrench...

We have a Learjet...

Thanks for the replies...looks like they’re closed/booked now. Boss might not like me “borrowing” the plane to go skiing...will only be there for 4 days total so only 2 full days for skiing. Will have to wait till fall/winter for our Florida trips to get some coaching...