jepski

McGinnis Ski School in Ft. Lauderdale is very chill, you can buy blocks of time and use as you want.

@vic I think @savaiusini is about as "HO Direct" as it gets:) I've been on a Carbon Omni for a year, really love the ski. Mine's traveled by air to FL a few times and skied a lot in season at home. Other than a scratch I put on it...looks like new.

Sounds like it's all good news and you found a new boat mechanic. Heal quickly!

These massive Bro-ship wake boats have made me love to see a pontoon pulling a tube zig-zagging across the cove I want to ski LOL. Is the water now crappy, yes. But can I ski through it to better water...yes. Could I do the same thing with 4' rollers...nope! It's a challenge to get my PS 205 through w/o swamping. Not to mention, I've never seen a Bro-ship alter course or kill the throttle as a sign of courtesy or safety. Instead the driver plows ahead, standing at the helm with "salt life" cap on backwards.........

Just read all of the posts. I didn’t realize you had fuel in the bilge and tore your ACL. really sorry to hear about the injury. And fuel in the bilge is a HUGE danger as everyone said. I’m sure Russell Marine will get you sorted out. Paying more (or going rate) for quality work on a boat is well worth it where safety is big concern. Update when you know more, nothing worse than a thread that fades out with no idea what fixed your problem:)

That’s not a carb engine, it’s throttle body injection (TBI). Confusing b/c it does resemble a carb, but was first generation fuel injection for this era boat. Injectors supply fuel into the intake manifold similar to a carb...but more precise b/c it’s computer controlled by an engine management system. MasterCraft was an early adaptor of EFI, while others continued to offer carbed engine options into the early 2000s I think. That’s a solid, durable engine. If your mechanic can’t or doesn’t want to work on that engine, somethings wrong with him:)

I've been wrong once or twice, LOL......but I'm pretty sure MasterCraft moved to 100% fuel injected GM engines in late '94 or '95 for all boats they produced and Ford dropped it's relationship with Indmar. Really odd that yours has a carb. Here is more detail: "SportStar 19 (1998-2000) MasterCraft introduced the SportStar 19 midway through the 1998 production year as a closed bow model. MasterCraft developed this model as an entry level boat that set new standards for both quality and performance.The load capacity for the 2,400-pound SportStar 19 is eight people or 1,095 pounds with a fuel capacity of 31 gallons. In 1998, the SportStar 19 came with the EFI 260 (5.0 L) horsepower engine as standard with a 13x 13 three blade OJ propeller. The engine option of 330 horsepower (LT-1) was offered in 1998.The 1998 model included a black wrap-around windshield frame, unpadded Driver’s armrest,bare fibreglass engine cover, one-colour interior accent, non-removable swim platform brackets,and did not have a trunk. A boat cover was offered as an option in 1998. In 1998 exteriorgraphics for the SportStar were similar to those of the 1995-1997 ProStar" OK, history lesson over...I would drain the oil, leave the filter and refill with 4 qts of 15w-40. Then run it and watch the oil pressure. Then check oil level. As long as the oil pressure doesn't continue to climb and the oil is within the "safe" zone on the dipstick, I wouldn't worry about it. It could have easily been overfilled, and with 20w/50 could cause a slightly higher reading.

I would pay more for USA-made gloves. I chose the tower (New Dimension) for my boat because it is made in USA, and paid a LOT more than an import tower. I expected a high level of quality and craftsmanship and that is what I received. I’m a former small business owner and in retail most of my life - the internet and big box retail has provided consumers with a race to the bottom in terms of price (and quality).

It's tough to make an assessment after a winter layoff and then skiing 5 sets in FL. I know b/c I do it too. I picked up an expensive handle on my last trip, a handle that everyone raves about. I struggled with it, finally switched back to my old handle and all was good. Lesson learned: I count my FL trips as "just thankful to be on the water" and see that my (limited) winter conditioning is paying off. My recommendation is take the ski that you've had your best sets on to FL. Evaluate skis this summer once you're back in "form".

@vic I agree. I ski my buddies Outlaw sometimes. It’s a great ski for all the reasons you described. Very affordable too.

@jpattigr - my wife skis a Butterknife, pretty sure it is not the same ski as a Katana.

91-94 MC Prostar 205 is “everything” better than Tristar. Bow seating in a TS is really tight, platform integrated into hull design made the rear seat mostly useless due to proximity to doghouse. Tracking/driving/wake of the 205 is as good as it gets for that era and a low cost entry into direct drive boats. Other good choices exist, I’m just mostly familiar with MC and own a 92 205.

I think my additional handle made it easier for TSA to get things back together. On both legs of a flight to FL this week, the tube arrived with the pin inserted properly. It just makes handling the lower portion of the tube much easier for me too. I remove it at home and store the tube as usual. Had a great time at McGinnis in Fort Lauderdale. 82 degree air and 76 degree water:)

Lots of Dixie boats (of all versions) still on Lake Gaston in NC and there are a couple DD's near me on Smith Mountain Lake, one was for sale locally; a bowrider (similar to a 205) with some innovative interior designs. Pretty sure wooden stringers, etc. There is a Dixie owners forum somewhere on the interwebs....

McGinnis is a great place. If you need anything while you are in the area, Miami Nautique has an awesome shop

I travel to MIA for work, this FlowPoint episode describes why I decided to purchased a Sportube a couple months ago, and bring my ski with me. And @MarcusBrown is the reason I purchased a Carbon Omni.

@george - I’m not familiar with the HO vMax but I have a “like new” HO xMax front and ART on SIA for a good deal: http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Bindings&postid=53777 I moved to the HO Carbon this summer, like @savaiusini said it’s a very easy-on-your-body ski and good deals out there on ‘19 models.

From the title I thought your gift was a trip to FL or Costa Rica to ski - but hey good for you! Impressive and any birthday skiing is a happy birthday.

Glad I added the safety carabiner as TSA did not pass the retainer pin through the inner hole, so the tether was all that held the tube together on the trip in to FL. @mfjaegersr I used mesh bags bungeed to the ski inside the tube, if I see a sweet deal on a soft bag that would be even better. Skiing was good and worth navigating the tube through the airport and rental car. Stopped by Miami Nautique and added a couple of things to pack in the tube for the trip home:) I ordered a handle to add to the bottom half of the tube that can be easily removed for storage and might make it easier for TSA to repack the tube - and - line up the inner channel to get the pin through. It definitely make handling the lower end of the tube easier! Only $4.99 + shipping and $3 worth of hardware.

@BraceMaker - it took me longer to unbox my new 4160 than to install it.

The EFI/zo boats I've skied behind are pretty amazing, and out of my budget.......for both purchase and maintenance. As a shade tree mechanic, skiing with an older 285hp Indmar MC with mechanical PP...the simplicity of a carbed engine - combined with PP is a sweet, low maintenance, low cost solution to enjoyable skiing. My current no-start diagnosis is fuel, spark, or air. My fear is the 2014 Prostar I can afford in couple years,I try to fire up but have a no-start and dead screen...leading to time consuming diagnostics, dealer involvement and costly parts.

I will echo all the positive comments regarding the Omni. I have the carbon Omni, I’m a couple years older than you and agree it is less effort than some other skis. Meaning you can ski more, learn more and have more fun. You didn’t mention what bindings you are using - assume you will move them over to your new ski?

Sportube 3 arrived yesterday! And set up a meeting in Pensacola over to Tallahassee area 11/4 so I might have to check out Pickos on that trip. I’ve read of TSAs struggle with Tube closure and have tethered the pin plus a carabiner through the handle as a backup.

To @BraceMaker 's point, I'm always concerned the t-stat might close or be closed using the bucket method. So, I just drain the block, manifolds, remove lower water hoses and drain them. Then reconnect them and remove top water pump hose and fill with AF and reconnect. Remove manifold hoses and fill with AF (or until AF drips from exhaust), then reconnect. I leave the AF in for the winter.

@BraceMaker - although I read the lube helps with the release, I also try and have it gone so that my foot isn't moving around. I guess as far as bindings/systems go...at the most basic level (debates on "safeness" of a particular binding or system aside).....if you've found something that fits and works for you - stick with it?