ReallyGottaSki

@DW i concur, yeah we've both tinkered heavily, with great results

Satisfied my parts combination created a relatively efficient old boat. With a +/-6 gal jug four of us ski, , three skiers ski hard at 34mph, four 1 mile lengths each, about 30 cuts fit in a length. the fourth skis light at 8 1-mile lengths at 30 mph. Sums 20 miles total in a morning. a gph meter for more tuning and more objective numbers is a consideration!

I've picked up a low miles LM4 all aluminum 5.3 for a future project, just have to find a neglected doner hull, I have one particular in mind for its ski performance and efficiency

Such a great time for hobbying, all-aluminum engines can now be gotten at the boneyard for 500 bucks, get some before they are soda cans!

I suspect the GM Atlas 4.2 could power a decent budget 'skier' . 290hp@6000 (later ones)

and a 12p prop could be a good combo

Yes although the raw numbers remain impressive, I'm sure it's been mentioned normalizing the measured peak force to body mass better delineates some skier efficiencies in accelerating. Also a skier maintaining less peak force but for over a longer duration can apply more total power , and if applied in the right locations, accelerates in better shape and gets to the buoy earlier.

Also a 'save' on a turn/cut can really load the line so one would have to be certain to compare only 'normal' turns and trim the flyers for all groups, analyze what is typical before any technique and style comparisons

@Dacon62 , I believe it's legit, the force is the same both ends of the rope, else there would be separation of the two points occuring. Their movement relative to the observer is not a factor, and the ropes mass is negligible

@Than_Bogan seems legit . I know huh?

And latest numbers are 198/170 (avg for all over 20 years old)

Fat chance

Seriously tried it, can't do it

Right foot forward, Right palm up...

I'll take a stab

Stack, not only centers the body's leverage to the vector to the boat, and thus naturally adjusts the ski's position to one's center mass, but also utilizes both the power of skeletal strength and the large, resilient muscle groups ( quads, glutes, upper back traps, and abs) vs folded, where both power and endurance are limited by the lower back and arms.

@GaryJanzig yes many have,

I can add, i've recently taken a carbed 240hp 1100hour 351 to likely 330-340hp with new bearings, chain, alum heads, oil pump, seals, ss exhaust, cam, lifters, pushrods, roller rockers, alum intake and timing cover, crank driven water pump, 140 pound diet for about 3900 soup to nuts. couple hundred on tools i didn't have but choose to buy vs rent or borrow. Some parts i had already accumulated but that number includes typical retail for those items. it pulls hard everywhere, holds ski speed like a rock, and quite efficiently

I've acquired a low mileage all aluminum LM4 5.3 from a trailblazer for a future towboat project, for $500. Cam and springs will get it from 290 to 320-330 easy. Found a 4" diameter mercuiser heat exchanger for it for 80 bucks.

should be good somewhat clean fun.

With youtube and research, one can tackle almost anything these days if one has the hutzpah.

I personally recall one can really sky on trick skis behind a '68. Slalom ski too, land past the whitewater. learns stack fast that way.

If the hull truly suits your taste, i say go for it. If its a just a distraction from the one you really want, consider passing so you're ready to move fast on it when it shows up, as you have boats.

Been on the radius for years, really miss it when its not available for a pull

Straight handle- I think the wider the shoulders, the more acute the angular misalignment on the wrists to forearm, and beyond power-robbing uncomfortable, one tends to maintain constant bicep tension to give relief to the wrist angle, inducing tendonitis

Radius - one can really let he arms out and be extensions of the rope, improving technique, and efficiency of energy. also inhibiting bicep tendonitis

If someone already has tendonitis and jumps on a radius handle, i also see a chance the more open angle can not feel like an improvement

Generally the narrower the shoulders, the less advantage to the radius, and a straight handle can feel entirely proper

Heh, you know that thing, you keep doing...dont do that.

but more seriously, you appear very dedicated and in great shape

I'm seeing the item you wish to correct seems to be even more acute when you are low on energy entering ost.

Handle control, handle discipline , I observe giving the boat too much handle in preturn

I see that elbow purposefully, reactively going down to scoop water, so thats why the shoulder is dropping. Grabbing a big handful of turn but folding to absorb the line loading prior to sweeping the legs around fully and ready to turn loading into acceleration.

So, i interpret the messy ost as trying to overcompensate for other less visually apparent items

. stack appears you understand how it should go but in execution..the body is crushed more often than not somewhere in the cut, and trying to reel in the hips. This means missing energy. so pursue a stance that needs less motions/corrections throughout should net you big gains. I would also consider freeski the sh|t out of that place to tune in the symmetry and work on some things so you don't trade form for orange balls.

Sensei says practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect

Even the osc should have more leverage putting power down than this image indicates, i see your shoulders are leading the charge, feet and hips trying to catch up.

Radar Vector here

Soap or slime was never really effective on that material ..

however ..

I fashioned a flexible, polyethylene shoehorn, out of a 1/2 gal milk jug, with a utility knife, softened the cut edges with sandpaper.

the jug handle makes a convenient finger loop, the side of the jug is already molded perfectly. round the corners

a sprits of very dilute soap or slime on the material and then foot slides in slick with no stress to binding, no pulling, tugging, nor cursing.

Very good Keith

I'm a member of WLL and WWSC so I got to see all of them, not certain if the others here are denied