MichaelWiebe

Does anyone rent out such a system, for the course calibration feature? We calibrate a shallow water anchor course every few years, with a portable. It's a large pain. This electronic system would be simpler and more accurate. Thanks.

Great idea. Thanks a lot. (We've corresponded in the past.) We are currently in the Riverview FL area part time in the winter, and will become full time snowbirds in the future. Oct-May is great. We do like the Ft. Myers area, and toured the new Babcock Ranch / solar city development last month. There are several slalom courses in the Ft. Myers area, and I believe there is a healthy waterski community. I currently drive 25 minutes to McCormicks and 35 minutes to Mulberry. I've driven to Orlando for some lessons with Matt Rini too. No issues. All good. The newest boat or the latest and greatest Zero-off is not important. A reliable boat is important. Many clubs or slalom lakes have a comfortable covered resting / socializing area near the dock. Eden ski lake's is one of the most beautiful (screened, hot tub, couches, etc.). McGuiness, McCormick, McClintock, Matt Rini, Swiss are all very nice too. I'm not sure you'll need to worry about too many members. Getting enough active members may be the target. Shared driving is fine. Westend Slalom in Atlanta has a significant flat fee, and then pay for fuel. Haidweiher in Bavaria/Germany has a small flat fee, and then charges by minute of boat running time. They have Tennis on site, and have a Tennis membership only too, to help cover costs. www.haidweiher.de My wife sometimes complains when she tags along with me. She would love to see a pool, gym, etc., so that the non-skiers can enjoy themselves more. Wishful thinking, I know. Good luck, and looking forward to meet.

Another example of developing countries moving faster to new products: phones and their apps. Developed countries have their solid landline systems, while developing countries sometimes lacked these. When mobile phones came along, developing countries sometimes just skipped installing or solidifying the landline systems. The same for payment systems. Developed countries have credit cards and land-based systems that go along with that. In developing countries they have adopted Venmo and other mobile payment system quite fast. Adoption rate of EV's and electric boats may also be related to the country's access to carbon-based fuels. A country which must import all their carbon fuels may convert to electric faster. At any rate, I'm happy to embrace the conversion so far, even though I'm not an early adopter. We have an electric battery lawn mower, snow blower, a hybrid car, and pay an upcharge on our electricity bill to have it come from 100% renewables. Our next car will be electric, and as others have mentioned, I believe an electric ski boat is not imminent... the technology must be verified for the application, and then the pricing must be worked on. I'll be ready when they are.

Electric will have advantages.... no more lugging around fuel jugs for many of us, no more fumes, quieter operation, less maintenance, less motor space required, hopefully the battery won't infringe too much cockpit/seat space, and maybe even no winterization. Personally, I'm looking forward to it, assuming the wake and pull is good. Typically there's no looking back once you have an electric car, lawnmower, snow blower, etc. The pros out weight the cons.

I have been skiing in Central Florida this week. No rubber worn either. Incredible February weather.

As mentioned above, the Grand Unified Theory of Slalom (GUT) documentation is great insight for the whole process of course skiing. Enjoy. https://denaliskis.com/pages/gut

We learned to ski behind my uncle's boats in the 70s/80s at Buffalo Pound Provincial Park in Saskatchewan. We enjoyed that a lot. In 1984, my Dad asked us kids if we wanted our own boat. Of course we said yes, and then went shopping the next day or so. We came home with a 1984 17' Glastron with a 150hp Johnson V6. (The boat was rated max for 140hp 4 cylinder.) It flew, topping out at 55mph. I was 14 at the time, and we loved doing "bunny hops" with that boat. We had great fun skiing, often with friends after school, by ourselves on our small lake near the farm. And many days with family too. Well, that boat is still in the family. It began in Saskatchewan on the family farm. University took me to Toronto including working afterwards in the Niagara region of Ontario. In 2000 I borrowed the Glastron and brought it to Niagara, skiing on the Niagara river, the Welland river, and in Muskoka. Then we took it to Wisconsin when we moved there. We had in on Kentucky Lake for vacations (that's my younger son napping in KY). Since 2007 the boat is back in Saskatchewan. My brother had it for about 10y, gave it an engine rebuild, and it's now with my sister and her family. And luckily a neighbor put a course on that small lake by our farm, and keeps a ProStar on a lift there. If only I had known about slalom courses when I was growing up! I can't say I've done as well as my Dad. He's 82 and has managed with one boat his whole life. I'm on my third one, after a 2005 Searay, a 2013 Wakesetter, and then smartening up with a direct drive ski boat (ProStar). So I'm finally set. Thanks for our fathers getting us hooked, and thanks for the great thread.

Some Saskatchewan boys.

I would be interested in a ski boat with a turbo V6, assuming zero turbo lag. In cars we see this trend. For example, take the Ford GT. A supercar with supercar performance from a V6. My thinking is less weight for an even smaller wake, saving space inside the boat, and fuel savings. A win all around. Perhaps the engine wouldn't last as long, as mentioned above. Maybe I'm off base assuming the skier wouldn't notice the difference during skiing. But I believe the future won't be V8's forever, and all electric seems to be a ways out.

It's a one-time use motor perhaps. I doubt it floats; wipe out and it's gone.

Mulberry FLA today. Air 75, water 60.

I'm getting some professional lessons in Florida over the winter. The first focus is on posture, with the goal of making my 35' off pass more stable.

Here's another idea for choosing a ski school: Consider a trainer who uses the same ski brand as you have. That may provide the best synergies for optimal ski adjustments.

Tampa FL: Air 72F, water 65 today.

It would be great to get some more winter (summer?) skiing pics from further south...... maybe Australia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Africa, Mexico, etc. Thanks in advance.

Saskatchewan.

I'm thankful for our great sport of waterskiing, and all the friends, experiences, exercise, and fun I have enjoyed.

Southern Florida today. I know, it doesn’t really count.

I love the BOS site. Thanks so much for having it. I have learned a ton from it. It is highly appreciated. Thanks Horton. There are many “words of wisdom” out there, and applying them is easier said than done. But I’ll share one below that I like a lot..... Before we speak, let our words pass through three gates: 1. Is it true? 2. Is it necessary? 3. Is it kind?

This app could be used to mark, and then find sunken and anchor courses perhaps. Looks great so far. Thanks.

Very nice application. Much appreciated, and thanks for sharing.

Last one. Sorry for the overload of sun shots.