75Tique

There is an active show ski team there. https://carolinashowski.org/about Probably make some contacts through them. I'm sure Justin (704-572-9174) wouldnt mind hearing from you to give you a time (other than show times) that they might be gathering and you could swing by.

I realize this thread is about the demise of DD boats, not about slamming wake boats, but I had to respond to @Shell 's comments, since he described just about everything about our lake. It is a small (150 acre) quasi private lake. I say quasi private because it is in a neighborhood, inside a gate, limited access to the outside world, unlimited access to the 500 or 1000 residents, whatever it is. About 10 years ago surfing and wake boats were banned. Lake was too small for them. I was and am fully on board with the decision. The language was sloppy and had holes in it, but it has since been tuned up. No ballast (can be used) does not say no boats with ballast capacity), no wake enhancing devices (wedges, NSS.....) ropes must be longer than 30 feet and you must use a rope (I actually got an exemption for those for my BF boom since people whined about that based on the language) and finally, "no surfing" So we pretty much have the problem licked here (also, jet skis are not allowed, so its a win win) Meanwhile, in a sister neighborhood across the highway, with an 800 acre lake (or 1200 acre, not sure) They took no such action 10 years ago. Now they have a bunch of problems with surf boats, giant wakes, shoreline, bulkhead, tied up boats....you know the drill, and they are stuck. Cant take away an existing right. Cant say, you cant use your boat any more. They are grasping at the only straw they have and that is to grandfather existing but allow no more. But the existing is too much and too many, so they are pretty much screwed. Its one thing to say you have to stay 200, 400, 500 whatever feet from shore on a huge lake, but on lakes this size, it either yes or no. Fortunately for us, its a no. As far as the original topic, who knows the fate of DD boats. Grow the market, down to 2 or 1 manufacturers, a decent $40,000 ski boat that can be tricked up to pro level options? A world full of well preserved used boats? Hard to say.

Not on Friday but was out Thursday. Been out about 5 times this year so far. Like to mix it up a bit.

Similar to lpskier's first post, but not exactly, and mine doesnt even involve being out on the boat. My pet peeve is people (not so bad on here, but definitely other forums, like over on FB) who insist on critiquing someone's skiing when the poster of the photo or video did not ask for critiquing. Some people just like to post good photos or videos of themselves skiing, maybe a nice turn, maybe a new ski, maybe a nice sunset. And some expert always feels compelled to say, "you're bent at the waist" or "handle needs to be lower" or "you need to stay on edge more". Not everyone is looking for advice. If they dont ask, then keep it to yourself. I post videos all the time and most times I will ask for input. It's great when I or others ask for it, fire away. But if I or someone else doesnt ask, then dont offer. I've even seen people who have offered such unsolicited advice defend themselves after they've been called out for it by saying something like, Hey, I'm an expert (yeah, sure) and I just gave them free advice that would cost them money elsewhere and continue to defend, despite being told, even by the original poster, that its not asked for, appreciated, or welcome.

I neither learned that this was a problem, nor did I learn how to fix this problem in 2021, but I did continue to work on it. Working on straightening out the yellow line. In 2021 it got better but I got a ways to go. Suggestions welcome. (no need to remind me "hips to handle"... I'm trying/working on it)

Go over to, or have your friend go over to CorrectCraftFan. There is a member there "TRBenj" who is a prop whiz. Has access to a gazillion different boats and a gazillion different props and has done a million trial and errors with various boats and props and knows a lot about what subtle changes will have what results and what props are best for what boats based on desired performance. (with ski boats - no interest in wake barges)

A friend of mine.

The two OTFs are pretty tame but all the others were pretty good bell ringers, especially for this old man.

@Nickpep22 Too bad the water conditions were so crappy for your last outing.

Dec 26 - North Carolina

A few for me. 1- a new PB for me. (Hey, I'm old (66) and a course rookie, so -22/32 mph was a big milestone for me. Replicated it one more time. Looking forward to getting into -28 next year.) 2- the TWBC coverage, especially the worlds. 3- a barefoot outing with a few buds. 4-finally getting around to (it took a few years) fixing Jake Owen's video to Barefoot Blue Jean Night that had a bunch of wakeboarding shots in it. Clearly it needed corrected.ht (afterall, its barefoot blue jean night, not wakeboard blue jean night) https://vimeo.com/search?q=barefoot+blue+jean+night+corrected

I wasnt going to comment, since I was going to talk about areas of NC other than Asheville, but since Keith introduced the idea of other areas of NC, I will. The mountains of western NC are beautiful and it would be a lovely place to live, but if the general area of the country appeals to you but the Asheville area isnt quite right, there are these areas to think about. Again, mountains are beautiful, but for being this far south, they do get pretty wintery. I left the NE to get away from that. Central NC is about 3 hours from mountains, 3 hours from coast. Best of all worlds. Ski options in central NC. A club with course on Lake Norman, north of Charlotte. Not sure but there must be a course on Lake Wylie, south of Charlotte, but home to Carolinas Show Ski Team A club with a course on a private pool on High Rock Lake. Ideal set up. Separated from main lake by RR track ROW with no cross access. A club with a course on a small private pool N of Raleigh. Its kind of an industrial area, but not a bad set up. A club with a course S of Raleigh in Fuquay Varina. Nice venue but pricey, as you have to buy into their boat (I believe) Cobles Ski School south of Raleigh, ambassador of the sport that you are, you might be able to swing an arrangement with them.

December 2. (North Carolina) A nine month run (so far)

No doubt Nate is phenomenal and the conversation about assessing how he does it is warranted and interesting, but the comparisons to Andy Mapple kind of reminds me (for those of you old enough to remember) of the LLoyd Bentson-Dan Quayle vice presidential debate where Dan Quayle compared himself to John Kennedy and Lloyd Bentson replied "I knew John Kennedy, John Kennedy was a friend of mine, you are no John Kennedy"

@Horton Just being a wise guy. I am fully, 100% on board with your policy. Think about how silly those conversations get. "Well now that you put it that way, why of course your childish unending rants, insults, totally baseless assertions and name calling have convinced me I was politically wrong, so of course I will change my vote next time" said no one on the internet ever.

OK, I won't say anything about the fact that last year a ski outing cost me $10 and this year it costs me $16.

The reviews after this Worlds are a pretty stark contrast to the reviews after the last one.

Yeah, I was going to say, he didn’t look too terribly disappointed at the time.

What a great event. TWBC has done an amazing job of bringing skiing to us viewers. Kudos to them. The skiing was great. So motivating for us kind of rookie weekend warrior types. Inspired me to go out friday evening and tie my PB. Season is winding down here, but hoping to get out a couple more times this year. The water ski community can be very proud of this event. Congrats to all skiers, especially WMR who came back to make an appearance in the finals after that nasty crash.

Nate was correct. Barefoot stumble. Boat: Supra Launch Large rooster tail. I followed a wake boarder. Stern ballast tank had been filled but drain pump decided not to work, so I went with full ballast load. This photo preceded the one above. (I think we have some time before the really heavy stuff starts (Carl Spackler))

I am a rookie, an elderly (66) rookie, but a rookie, just learning the course. Looking for a training tip/advice. I am presently stuck at 4@-22/32 mph. To advance, should I keep working at -22/32 mph. (I did have a major (for me) break through yesterday, when I actually got to the outside of 5, so its a start) or should I back off to work on form and timing for a while, down to either 30 mph or stay at 32 mph and go back to 15 off. My preference is to keep working on -22/32, but if you think advantageous to back off, I will do that. Here are 2 passes from last week. The first is -22/30 and the second is -22/32. I think my form (as far as hips to handle) is much better at the slower speed. At 32, I pretty much am just muscling my way through it. It was a little choppy that day, so that affected form a little bit as well. Thoughts? TIA.

Too big of a wake? There is no such thing. I have a 6000 pound G 25 that I load with 3000 pounds worth of passengers, 3000 pounds of factory ballast, another 3000 pounds of fat sacks and another 2000 pounds of lead weight, and my wake is still not big enough. Any suggestions for more push?

Wish I could help you out, but I am about 1.5 hours away. A little too far to make it convenient. I am on a small semi-private (HOA) lake and have a course but I have to put in/take out each time. There is a ski club down on High Rock lake with a great set up. Course is in a cove separated from the main lake by a RR right of way, so no other boats. Dont know the name, but a little research could probably turn it up. Lake Norman, over north of Charlotte has a pretty active ski community. If that interests you, I can get some info as a guy now in my neighborhood moved from there and was active with them. If you dont mind travelling a bit and are really into it, there is a show ski team on the south side of Charlotte on Lake Wylie.

Hate for her that this happened. Hate it for me as she is so much fun to watch, she is such a competitor. That and her 1/4 speed youtube video is my go to video whenever I need inspiration.