GaryJanzig

@hemlock My antenna puck was from 2008. I had the first version of stargazer. Upgraded when the master module went bad in 2017. Upgraded to 9.2 when I got the zbox.

When I upgraded to 9.2 and the Zbox I sent Perfect Pass my GPS antenna, and they updated the firmware. It is dialed in good now.

@skinautiquer If you are on I80 heading east in PA just past the Ohio border. I can give you a pull. The lake is near the intersection of I80 and I79(15 minute drive). 1994 Ski Nautique with Stargazer 3 event and zbox. Slalom course on the lake. Send me a private message if you are going to be close to the area.

I wear Body Guard shorts from Barts when I slalom.

I have one Masterline slalom, and 3 Performance Pure ropes which are nearing the end of their life. Going to buy a new Masterline, and a pair of S lines in the future for sure to try them out.

Hats off to Tony Lightfoot and everyone else who is in front of the camera, and behind the microphone. When you consider how long a water ski tournament is verses other sports, very tough to keep things going. Very glad we have TWBC. I catch up on all the tournaments during those long Ohio winters.

On Lake Latonka we have a floating course. For the yellow drive gates we use the yellow bullet shaped foam buoys(crab floats), and Overton's orange buoys for the rest. It is an accufloat course. We use mason string for the buoys, and attach them to the eyebolts with brass dog leash clips. If a buoy gets snagged it will break off pretty easy keeping the cables and pipes safe from damage. It was worked for us for well over 20 years. We keep spare buoys in our boats ready to clip on if any come up missing.

A 1997 Ski Nautique is too good of a boat to not put Perfect Pass on it.

Most items in the offseason except slalom skis which I buy during mid season so I can demo.

I replaced my whole steering system on my 1994 Ski Nautique(2170 hours), tilt, helm, cable, clamp block assembly. I also repacked the rudder port since it was leaking. I upgraded to the cable used in the 1998 and newer. nautiqueparts.com Took me a couple weekends in January to complete. Major improvement! The boat model is specified with the cables on the site. Go with genuine parts for sure..

I tow a 1994 Ski Nautique with a Chevy Equinox. Boat and trailer are 3400 pounds, vehicle is rated to tow 3500 pounds. Does the job for the short distances I tow. 1.3 miles to the ramp, and an occasional trip(every 4 years) to Conneaut Lake for service at the marina. (30 miles each way). If I was towing any further than that I would opt up to a Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Highlander, or Chevy Traverse. With a small tow vehicle make sure your trailer tires and brakes are in good working order.

@GregDavis Get Perfect Pass Stargazer with zbox. Too nice of a boat not to.

@ScarletArrow I would like to see fewer surf boats out on the lake. Don't see much wakeboarding anymore, so you may be right.

Our sport is dying. Part is the cost, the other is lack of interest. Offered to teach 4 kids to ski over the past weekend. They would rather just ride a tube. They were used to getting pulled behind a pontoon boat. When I pulled them they had trouble staying on the tube. :smiley: The newest 3 event boat on my lake is a 2018 Pro Star. The rest are all wakeboard/surf boats. I will not be surprised if ski boats disappear completely in 20-25 years. The skiers on my lake have aged out, or moved away. The people moving in are more of a party crowd than a skiing crowd. 70% of the boats are pontoon boats now. The market for a direct drive ski boat is shrinking. People are restoring and refitting older ski boats since most people can't afford 100k or more for a new and in some cases a used boat.

Yellow bullet shaped foam crab floats for the boat guides, and Overton's orange buoys. Not sure what I will switch to when the current supply is used up. I have some old ones out on the lake now, but spray painted with florescent orange. The Overton's buoys that I have hold up the best. Others break down in the sun, and the tops get sticky. The new Overton's buoys are not as good as the old ones.

Right handed. Left foot forward, left palm down.

Anyone have any experience with Marine Power brand replacement engines? A PCM ZZ5 would be great in this boat.

Skiboatpartsonline.com has some nice replacement gauges.

In Pennsylvania we track the gas we buy for marine use when renewing registration. The highway tax money from the gas is re-allocated to the fish and game commission.

The life of a steering cable can vary. If you keep your bilge dry you should be able to get 800-900 hours out of one. If not, they can go bad in one or two seasons.

Saw the video. Sounds great!

Please post some video when it is on the water!

I would like to see one where you don't have to change out an impeller.

This is a shot of the end of the new cable being fed back through. To extend my reach under the floor(between the engine compartment, and the helm). to help feed it through I slid an 18 inch piece of metal conduit over the rope so I could guide the rudder end of the cable back through. There are a few spots it will get stuck. Once you get the rudder end of the cable into the engine compartment the rest is easy. I did not tug too hard. I was being extra careful to not break any wires or pull anything loose.

I changed out the whole steering system on my 1994 Ski Nautique after 2170 hours. I changed the helm, tilt, clamp block assembly, cable(upgraded to the 1998 and newer version), and repacked the rudder port. It was leaking, the steering wheel had some wiggle to it, and there was some play in the rudder. I was also detailing the boat at the same time. It took me a few weekends. I also installed a new GPS Speedometer. I ordered a red lightbuilb and installed it in the new speedometer to match my other guages. Trying to find a chrome ring/bezel for Perfect Pass to match.