Jetsetr

@The_MS Spot on... Permitting in WI is a nightmare. Portable course MUST be removed by sunset even on a small (85 acre) lake.

Boost...

The Graphite/Lithium/Pro Build are different, costlier skis just short of what a SERIOUS deep course skier would use... Are you THAT person? If NOT then go with the Alloy for $550... IF you decide to pursue course skiing the Alloy will get you deep enough to know if you want/need a upgraded ski. Kinda like buying a F1 car to learn to drive in...

It’s trial and error to get the trailer in the right depth. My Echelon likes just the tops of the fenders out of the water to have it float most of the way on with the right angle. Too deep and the bow eye is too low, too shallow it take a lot of power to get it on correctly. I put a piece of tape on left guide post I can see in the mirror so I know it’s in far enough. Gotta play with it.

Can’t go wrong with the Senate Alloy for type of skiing you do...pull the trigger...

Deleted...

So... You have a 50K boat (probably waaaay more) spend $1000’s on fuel for the season, several $1000+ skis, gloves, bindings, boots and top of the line tow ropes, fret over fin angle for a 2 degree water temp drop and you’re Mickey Mousing a repair on a old leaky drysuit. Really?? For $400 you could be warm, dry and out skiing...I’m frugal but there’s a 1 year old O’Neil drysuit in my closet.

There are a lot of GREAT older boats out there...don’t be afraid of a carb engine, they're much easier to fix and trouble shoot vs EFI (good luck when it just quits). They all can be fitted with PP. If you’re a good enough skier that you NEED Zero Off you’re probably going to upgrade to a better boat as you progress. SOLID boats are available for less than 10K... Don’t get sucked into the “it’s not good enough-new enough” vortex... Bought my Brendella with 800 hours on it for 3K, gave it some love, Stargazer PP, GPS Speedo and it was a bad ass boat that ALWAYS ran great and got the job done. Sold it in 1 day for $6500. ANY DD ski boat is better than just about anything else (still love outboard Hydrodyne’s !). Give it a good water test, have a good mechanic look it over, do your homework. Get a boat, ski, have FUN. Been there, doing it.

Knowledge is power... Find a good wrench who knows ski boats and bring him with to take a look at the mechanicals. The good thing is all the areas of concern are easily accessible on a ski boat. Wouldn’t run away for a high hour engine, just make sure it has good compression. Engines are easily replaceable. It’s pretty easy to tell if a boat was taken care of with normal wear vs being rode hard and abused... My Echelon had a blown engine (knew about it) at 304 hours, dropped a new long block in and have an awesome almost like new 1993 boat (THANKS Keith!)

A little off topic but just replaced both speedometers on my Echelon, left side GPS stand alone speedo, right side PP Stargazer head. Looks nice, easy to install the PP...

Was thinking doing the Givego coaching...$20 is well worth it... After they get done laughing I might get some solid advice... Haven’t had any OTF’s this season, but I’m chickening out at the wake (self preservation thing kicking in). Obviously can’t make any space in the course doing that.

After taking some NASTY OTF’s (all off side) crossing wakes need to get mentally and technically back in the game. Thinking of slowing the boat down to 26/28 and taking “baby steps” on getting the ski to carve thru the wake on edge. Start just outside of the wakes and work on edging thru... A lot of this is mental and I need to progress with confidence...I’m making decent turns, have a decent stack/position but letting the ski go flat once I get to the wakes... Thoughts?

@Than_Bogan SPOT ON...as a newbie in the course there’s NEVER enough time...those damn balls keep coming! HAVE to get the cross course speed to even get close to making the next ball...

@jerrychabot or for anyone else.... I have a source for ANY type of windshield/side window replacement with new. Pro Glass specializes in race car windows but can make anything...hooked up one of the ballers on here and to the best of my knowledge worked out well... company is based in northern IL.

@Than_Bogan ...yes and no....look at how MANY post topics there are on ski/fin/binding/boot/tow line/boat assessments/comparisons/adjustments in micro or nano amounts in this group that’s OCD off the scale for CHASING BALLS. This is to be EXPECTED for high skill level skiers who compete (who the majority of this sites membership include). And honestly, all the competition events I’ve been to no one is having fun...all business, super serious, no smiles or laughs, and THAT’S ok as well. They are there to compete, not there for an ice cream social. Nothing WRONG with that, but THIS person is looking for a beginner slalom ski and you guys are suggesting carbon fiber Uber skis to her. Suggesting a Senate to her is insane. I have one, it’s NOT a beginner slalom ski. I’m a strong, solid skier and this ski has more in it than I can get out of it at this point in time. It’s NOT easy to ski hard. I can ski my BK all day...I LIKE the challenge of the Senate, but If was a beginner struggling after coming off a combo set I would probably put it on the shelve or sell it. I course ski for personal satisfaction and to raise MY skill level. The OP may or may not pursue that, if she does the better ski and gear will come as she progresses.

Youre asking a question on a ski site that has excessive compulsive members about a basically beginner slalom ski....these people get wrapped around the axle on fin settings for a particular lunar cycle and fret about changing binding/fin position for a 1 degree water temp change... They will tell you to get a ski that’s waaaay too advanced for your skill level, much too short, it will suck, you will have spent a lot of money and you won’t be having fun... A longer ski will be MUCH easier to ski at slower speeds where you need to be to build solid fundamentals, will be MUCH easier get up on and basically be a LOT MORE FUN. As your skill level raises you can get a better ski... A beginner driver doesn’t buy a Formula 1 car to learn to drive... One of my ski friends is female, probably weights 135 and skis my 69” Butterknife and LOVES IT because IT’S SO EASY TO SKI. Get a ski that’s EASY to ski, won’t wear you out because it’s too short and have fun...the rest will come with time.

Snug (don’t go apeshit crazy on “snug”) and back off one slot on the castle nut, insert cotter pin. X2 on bearing buddy’s...they don’t allow water in.

The 67 is too short, and it’s not the ski causing you to break at the hips on the even side balls. Try a 69 and slow the boat down to get your technique/fundimentals back. The larger ski will be easier to start as well. Maybe try a Union or Katana. This is SUPPOSED to be fun. If it’s frustrating (been there myself) you won’t have fun. Katana is also a great platform, easy to deep water start and your 30mph won’t be an issue. I’m not sure what this obsession with high boat speeds and poor form/technique is (not the OP) but we see a lot of “Im skiing 15 off at 36 but I can’t turn or cross the wakes what am I doing wrong”. Slow the boat down to 26 and get fundamentals down prior to increasing the speed.

I’m IN with Porters and Stouts...

IPA’s are just an excuse to make shitty beer...if you put so much hops in it that you cannot taste anything but hops you could use ditch water...just say’n...

Awesome beautiful boat....grab the Cypress Garden Combos and let her rip!

69 inch ski minimum for your weight, Radar Katana or Butterknife, The Butterknife is such a easy ski to deep water start, still cuts nice and won’t wear you out. Katana is the same shape but 1/10th of an inch narrower. The Radar Union also might be a good choice. Shorten the rope to 60 or where the wake is the smallest (within reason). Cool collection of skis, but they should be on a wall. New technology skis are so much better...have fun! Repeat...have FUN!

If you haven’t broke the ice at the ramp to get to the open water you wouldn’t understand...

Only need gentle throttle to 3000RPM to yank me out behind my Malibu with a 4 blade SS prop that’s pitched for Denver that now lives at 740ft above sea level.. I would look at re propping. They’re less than $200 in aluminum and will make a world of difference. DD boats are awesome but work your way into them if that’s they way you want to go. In the meantime have some fun with what you have.

69 for your weight.