VermontSkier

Coming from a high level nordic combined (xc skiing and jumping) background and spending many years training full time, I can say that perhaps the greatest benefit of these new fitness tracking devices is that they measure heart rate variability (HRV). Following my nordic skiing career, my uncles and I (they were the good skiers, one a 3x olympian and the other a 1x olympian and NCAA champion) started a company to import and sell Firstbeat HRV software from Finland. All of the HRV in these wearable devices can be attributed to Firstbeat's research and analytics.

Anyway, I can see HRV being a valuable tool to water skiers. It is basically a measure of recovery but more specifically the body's return to homeostasis after stimulus. This stimulus can be exercise, diet, alcohol consumption, etc. High HRV indicates a recovered body, low HRV the opposite. If you have a couple beers at night, eat late, or workout late, HRV shows that in your sleep.

I'd encourage users of devices with HRV to pay attention to it daily and overtime- I bet there could be some really interesting takeaways for folks on here and could help optimize your ski schedule/training.

Ive seen a guy named Doug Moss on Facebook, perhaps the Waterski Hub page, a California guy, who travels around doing zero off conversions. 

Of course on BoS Jody is the ZO guru and can probably chime in on if it is possible for your boat.

Keep that oil changed and that engine will run another 1500 hours!

Also maybe @leeski?

Purchased. Thank you!

I bought a sunbrella custom cover from baldmikes.com. They had the best prices for a Westland cover. Two years in on my all-black cover that is exposed to the elements all summer and it’s still like new! 

Loved followed the RCB project! This little boat looks sweet!

We have a cable course on a river in Vermont. If you have any ice flows in winter, I would pull the course. You never know what ice will dislodge from the shores, like big trees. 

Not sure where you are located but are some VERY well priced 97 and new ski nautiques for sale in New England and New York State if you are willing to drive. 

1997 for $12,000

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2429492920565211/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A7e184139-51c5-4e96-a91f-c0985b394770

2000 for $10,000

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/999273191394013/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A7e184139-51c5-4e96-a91f-c0985b394770

And then the one I really want but can't afford right now... a 2012 200 for $42k

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1777284902727135/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A7e184139-51c5-4e96-a91f-c0985b394770

I hope my experience was helpful! I should add that you will want a second set of hands to hold the bolt on the outside with a wrench while you tighten with a socket. This project seemed daunting since I had to remove so much from the boat but I am learning my boat inside and out and it’s cool to be able to keep these older boats in top shape!

So I removed all the bolts and the platform bracket- cleaned all the old caulk off the bracket, bolts, and hull. Used a heavy duty degreaser to thoroughly clean everything and a fine metal brush to get the old caulk completely out of the holes in the hull. Then I used loctite marine adhesive sealant- lots in the holes both inside and outside the hull and a nice bead on the platform bracket. You can find this at Home Depot or order it on amazon.

Since I had to do all the hard work of removing the gas tank and hoses, I wanted to do a good job that would last another 20 years. You might be able to get away with just tightening.

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Adhesive-Sealant-Cartridge-2016891/dp/B01DKIQ5Q6/ref=asc_df_B01DKIQ5Q6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=191952284066&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17407207525152201849&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027360&hvtargid=pla-310299137239&psc=1

I got to ski there and pick up a new vapor thanks to @mikegile and @brooks last year, it was an experience I will never forget! I also captured a nice moment by mistake if you look closely...

@torontoboater you should be able to remove the base of the ski locker, it may be screwed down, and then there might be just enough room to get a wrench on the end. It will be a little tricky but my ski partner was able to do it on his response. I have a sportster, so I had to pull the back seat, gas tank, and all the hoses to get access. 

@torontoboater I definitely recommend, if you have easy access, to re-caulk the bolt as well as tighten. Hopefully its a quick fix!

I’d gladly pay $20 for a good app that works on my iPhone. 

Yes!!!

@lpskier I should have reached back out to you, but we decided to pass on the EZ mainline because we found our old mainline! (Yes, in a tangled mess, and there is a tree under part of it, but we are optimistic) So, it is still with the other fellow and seemingly available!

It looks like both round 2 of qualifying and the finals will be broadcast, so at least have of the qualifying will be visible? Maybe?

Looks like maybe just Sunday will be live streamed:

https://www.youtube.com/@WorldWaterSkiers/streams

I hope this ski will see Radar’s first 41! (At least I’m under the assumption that there hasn’t been a 41 run on a radar?)

Did you put a wrench on the swim platform bolts to see if they are tight?

Fellow Malibu owner here, though not a sunsutter but similar vintage. I too had a mystery leak which resulted in small amounts of water on the carpet towards the back of the boat. This spring when I pulled my boat from storage I checked the swim platform bolts and they were spinning freely, so I pulled the gas tank, cleaned the back area thoroughly, removed and cleaned the old caulk off the bolts and then reattached and tightened them with new marine grade sealant. I also removed the pitot tubes since the boat has Perfect Pass and the leak has been fixed. I have a sportster so there is no rear trunk hence why I pulled the gas tank. My friend with a response removed the floor of his ski locker and was able to access the bolts. Worth a look!

I'd be curious what demand looks like in wake vs. ski boats. My hunch is that they are selling all the ski boats they make, so hopefully production of ski boats won't slow down as much as wake boats. Fingers crossed!

I thought this was great, really passionate and captivating. I think a really cool follow-up would be to compare/contrast the top level of the sport with a more grass-roots/at home perspective (like local skiers on a lake, river, public water, etc.)

There is something so cool about this sport at every level and perhaps what I love most is being out skiing the course with my friends, encouraging and pushing each other, and enjoying beers on the water or dock afterwards. I guess what I am trying to convey is that more people seeing that this is something that can be done at home, not just in a tournament or on a private ski lake, the more folks will want to get out and try their hand. Hopefully?

I don't yet ski tournaments, I want to, but I watch every single TWBC webcast and my love for the sport has grown because of them. Really grateful for all they do and everything to come.

Glad there is at least a webcast. 

Slightly off-topic, are they using a radar rope?

Freddie looked damn good on the new ski, excited and pulling for him to take some wins!