Dysco

@bouyboy1 I thought similarly. I triple checked in my conversation. They had photos and measurements of the holes and said drilling through the plate would be more of a strength/failure risk. Certainly interesting, but they probably have some experience with this one.

Well, some good info. Prior to breaking out the drill bits this morning after reading a few more replies, I decided to contact Radar. It was said drilling new holes and inserts is preferred to drilling the plate (in the locations I would have needed to). The ski strength should not be affected. So that's the plan moving forward.

@RAWSki this is a 2013. Size XL 2018 bindings.

@RAWSki Seems like an odd situation as FF fit on my D3. But, as mentioned above, clearance bindings - so drilling a few sets of holes hopefully isn't a strength issue, it does appear that I'll have to drill directly through the "seam" on the back of the plate where it goes from thicker material to thinner.

Ok. Drilling the plate is probable. Last thought, drill new holes in the ski with inserts for a better option and varieties of binding placement? I've got 14" of ice here, so I have some time.

I bought some new radar bindings (flex frame) for my D3 last summer and liked them very much. My '13 Strada's Strada bindings (aluminum frame) were also in need of updating. I recently found a killer deal on closeout Vectors ($50 each!) and bought them. My issue is the rear holes don't match up at all and are actually completely covered. If I rotate to expose one hole, the plate is passed the edge of the ski. I know I can drill, but if I adjust the front at all to adjust to the new bindings, then it's even more drilling. Not sure what to do here. Thoughts?

@mfjaegersr nice to see some indoor ideas too. It's a long off season in WI. Displays can keep the monotony away.

A few years ago I started deadlifting (which completely cured all of my nagging back issues). I naturally grip the bar (in a switch grip situation) with left palm down, and I'm a left foot forward skier. That summer I realized that my best power and "stacking" in a deadlift came with that grip, so I switched it. It certainly has aided my offside pull.

Some good pics and ideas there. Keep 'em coming. Liking that rocker rack for practicality.

Having accumulated a few skis, and having a couple that I will use interchangeably depending on the conditions or my mood, I was thinking about wall or ceiling storage ideas that allows them to be out of the way. Easy to access AND/OR possibly a method of display in the garage or shed other than on a shelf for example, or maybe even your home. If you've got something or made something ingenious and beautiful, or very simple and effective, share a pic.

If I'm not mistaken, Lidquid Edge near Chicago, charges about $100 for 2/3 sets, 30-ish minutes, with coaching depending on time and ability. Bring a buddy or buy 10 "lessons" and they give a discount. Hopefully that can be a frame of reference for your lake/club.

Someone somewhere came up with the theory that most people, including kids, have about 8 years worth of "competitive interest" in a particular sport or activity. I find that fairly accurate. When as a high school and collegiate wrestling coach when they should get their kids started in the sport, I ask them "what age do you want them to quit participating in it? Then subtract 8 years, that's the starting age." Most parents never fathom their kids quitting until I ask that question. Many ignore it and start their kid in kindergarten. I can say with 80 percent accuracy that I will never have that kid in high school.

Camera angle has quite a bit to be desired, but enjoying it regardless

I hope that all of us that as @Fast351 said, don't have access to a course to practice on, much less compete, don't get kicked to the curb. I had a glorious 7 year (well 3 months or so of 7 years) from age 32 to 39 that I could access a course (private lake, and a drop-in) about 5-9 times per summer. It was the best Jerry, the best! But with people in those groups having busy lives, divorces, or simply getting out of the sport, finding a course in Wisconsin (much like MN) is next to impossible (as the threads on that very subject indicate). Sure, I've driven the 4 1/2 hours to Liquid Edge a few times, and the couple times I've been to Florida, stopped at Mccormick's. But that doesn't So I drive an hour each way to meet my old ski buddies and each ski 2-3 open water sets because that's what time and conditions allow. But, we are all still very interested in the newest, improved, equipment and tweaking it, who's the top ballers, what the newest boats are like. I hope this doesn't go away for the likes of us. On our outing Wednesday evening, there were two other slalom boats that showed up. Both had people under age 25 skiing. The boat with four 20-something males appreciated us showing the line, how to do a proper turn and drop off. I commented that it was the first time in years that we've seen guys their age not wake boarding or surfing. One commented " this slalom stuff is coming back, most of our friends are getting skis instead of boards". Im a wrestling coach, and learning from NCAA champions and olympians has helped me be a better coach for my wrestlers. We need access to what the best training methods and techniques are. This site is that.

A luggage scale will typically go up to 80lbs. I use one for my archery equipment and it's spot on. They are better quality and cheaper than most fishing scales.

I've skied many hours behind a 94 and 96 echelon. If you are at 28 off or less, it is a very nice wake and nice driving boat. Heater is a nice option.

I'm going against the grain. You don't ski the course, so you really have nothing to gain by spending the money. A 2015 concept will get a good skier through 35 and into 38off at 34mph. Most of these guys saying you should spend thousands are private lake course skiing and are running 38, some better of course. In reality you aren't going to get your money's worth. I highly recommend getting to know your ski and playing with fin setting and binding placement, even getting a whisper fin or similar. You can absolutely improve your skiing and fun factor by doing this and saving your money. Plus your ski will be more than capable if you get in a course (which I recommend even if you have to drive a few hours and pay some cash, which you saved by not buying a ski). I recently jumped on my old (2005) D3x5 for an evening of free skiing with buddies, it was set up perfect for me prior to buying newer skis. Low and behold i skied better on it than my newest ski, which is much more expensive but I haven't perfected the set up with yet. Bottom line, set up is critical, even more than year or price. Have fun with what you have.

Interesting timing of this post. I just rode a buddies rs1 for the first time. I was open water skiing. And like you im at 200lbs. I ski at 28@34mph. At that speed 67 felt just fine. It actually feels faster than my 68" d3. It's not set up for me, so especially off side turn was a struggle, but I certainly think I could improve that with time and tweaking the fin and binding placement. As said earlier, if it's fun and only free skiing, then use it. I thought it was a great ski for either I would suggest increased speed, it will help the ski feel better for you. And play with shorter line, it's a blast! I didn't see your request about bindings above, but someone commented. Two buddies have radar prime and i just got vapors. Honestly they feel almost the same, but both are of very good quality. I'd say save$$ and get the prime binding.

@JackQ lowering the rim would be even more advantageous for taller players. Raise it completely out of reach and the best shooters, not necessarily the tallest, will gain advantage. If the rope or bouys were adjusted for equal height/reach, then again, the best skiers would rise. A buddy who does CrossFit (5'8, 155) can by body weight percentage, lift more than anyone in the gym, but gets crushed in competions skewed to the guys that are 6 ft, and 200lbs. When any competition gives advantage to a certain body type, that is the body type that will dominate.

@Horton So with a new boat he wouldn't get 41, but with the fin adjustments he might. New bindings don't help performance. This is interesting for sure. The improvements in the wake since 88 can't make up the difference if ZO? Would that mean for amateurs in the course that they might be wasting a colossal amount of money in buying newer boats. Put the money in the skis? Thanks for the input.

I love the concept and discussion. Technology... In 1988 Mike Kjellandrer skied 1@41 on i believe a Connelly HP(?). Starting there, with that monumental accomplishment, how far could he have gone in 1988 with the same ski, but today's boots, fins and boat? Second question how far could he have gone in1988 with today's top ski but yesterday's boat, fin and bindings? I think that the bigger difference would come with the new boat,fin and bindings than the top skis of today with yesterday's accessories. I could be very wrong and would love to hear why. This discussion is a reminder of Jesse Owens v Usain Bolt. Take away the track, starting blocks and shoe improvement of 80 years and they are almost equal. To a point, the person is the biggest ingredient. In our sport there will never be a Wayne Grimditch sized male on the podium again.

Tore my biceps tendon and UCL of my left arm when it went through. 32off@34 ball 3, handle dragged in the water just enough to slow it down and lose my grip. Arm went through. 4 months of rest and rehab before I could use it normally. I got very lucky. I made my own arm guard out of the lid from a tote. Still searching for the best materials, but it's better than nothing.

@HSL I'm not sure what your point is regarding my question about the ski flattening at the wake vs. the edge it is on prior. I'm aware of who Adam is and haven't disagreed with any of his advice. But thanks for the info.

@pregom agree on Maple at 3/4, but 1/2 you can clearly see the ski kick up at center wake, it's pretty flat by then. At least not what my mind says being on edge should look like? I've seen the same in dozens of pictures and videos. Im guessing that ankle flexion is inevitable and while the concave of the ski allows one edge to be doing the work, as soon as the wake comes into play, the ski is forced into a more flat position. Im guessing that without a wake, the ski could stay on full edge longer, ie cable skiing.

@HSL or others, in your series of pictures, would you consider the ski "on edge" going through the wake as us discussed on here? It seems this is talked about often and is related to leg position. What I see in the photos and in almost every video, especially slo-mo that I watch is ski on edge coming out of the turn, and by the first wake it's flattening, center wake it's completely flat. Thus being on edge through the wake is a bit of a myth. Thoughts?