ETskier

There are several good ski boats with open bow. Ski Nautique 200 OB comes to mind. But, beware. Look at the current threads going "Malibu LX" and " Malibu Announcement ". Driver awareness and seamanship is very important when using, well, any open bow boat, but particularly a fine tuned slalom ski machine.

@Stevie Boy just curious. Im trying out a 22 vapor. What length, and what are your boot and fin settings?

Since the above ballers  recommended setting up your ski, now is the time to learn how to do that. Go to hosports.com/settings. There you will find a great tutorial by Rob Hazelwood. Your ski is on the 2016 recommended factory settings guide. Don't count on your fin being right. There are also many archived threads on the subject here at BOS and qualified ballers to help you. Welcome to the group.

Interested  67 Vapor pro build, Works 1 and 2, Goode 68.5 9970 cc. I feel I need a ski with more initial giddyup.

Thank you. I've been a slump lately and I just realized I need to work on my handle awareness and control. 

When you talk to OJ or other experts, ask them about the  OJ Force.

If it has a 3 blade prop, try a 4 blade.

@ALPJr and the matchbook cover to set the points gap. Double it over to set the plug gap..

Also skied behind and drove a 50 something 70 hp Merc with no neutral or gear case.  Started in gear with button under the throttle handle. For reverse pulled back to center to kill, then into reverese, hit the button, whole engine turned opposite direction. 

@SHungerford What year and model is your boat?

I went to their website today and all looked normal.  Could they be looking to sell the whole thing to a new operator?  I'm from Indiana and bought a lot from them during the 80s and 90s. Skied against Steve Plummer in many state championships. Never met Bart Culver,  but heard he was a great guy. They always supported all the area tournaments. Still have a couple of their famous drink cups. 

Bet he'll be here around the world's this fall.

When fishermen became allied with you against jet skiers.

Wooden handles, double handles

That's actually a Ski Technique, the predecessor to Reflex. My wife got a new one from Bennett's in early 2000s for her trick ski and still skis with it. I do not remember seeing anyone slalom skiing with it. I don't think slalom folks put much thought into it until Goode and Fogman hardshell release systems come along. Mike Mosely was working on his as well. I'm not sure when Reflex bought out Technique. From the picture, Blake, your mechanism looks very clean. Concern might be for the boots becoming brittle. Good news is Reflex boots will work fine. My wife replaced the boot twice with Reflex. Not sure this helps you with pricing.

Yes, agree with pro women starting at 32 off, men at 35. Mostly that will be down and back twice for most pro skiers. Worth the excitement if they get to their 5th pass. Shoot, jumping finals should be 2 passes. Seems like very few times the event is won on the 3rd jump.

Yep

So, now I am a little confused.  I currently practice with a Radar 8 loop rope. Doesn't feel much different from the HO or the Slines X. I know the Master line optima 2 I had in one tournament felt awful, though I think I could learn to like. Likewise for Slines C or R.  Problem is that upcoming state, regionals, and nationals (if I qualify), I'm  not sure what ropes will be offered. This seems to be the conundrum. I might find a great line I like in practice, but it won't  be offered as a choice in tournaments. Pretty sure the Masteline Pro will be the line offered. It's kinda like my ski won't be allowed at certain tournaments. I skied great in the Perfect Pass days, then AWSA changed to ZO. Now they are screwing with the rope. Either decide on 1 or  give us a choice among several ropes at tournaments. Otherwise, just tell us what ropes will be used (as well as what boat), and we can cboose to pass or play. Makes me want to just pass on tournament skiing altogether,  get out of organized skiing and get a PP boat and rope of my choice and go have fun. Hey, let us bring our own slalom rope to tournaments like they do for jumpers.  

I have the same vest as @RAWSki. They are a kite boarding company on the Columbia River. A little more flotation than others, good rib protection, a nice safety buckle. Most like the old Straightline vest at a reasonable cost .

Remember when Wayne Grimditch beat all the pro athletes from other sports in the super stars?

Both.  Joel Poland and Dorian Lewelyn  are fun to watch. The worlds will feature some great 3-eventers this fall. The ladies too with Regina in the mix again.

Wondering why USAWS is not more out front with information regarding these events.

Walmart down here shows a little 6 X 6 pop up shade.

They also have a 4 x 6.

My 08 Ramlin single axle trailer had 6 in of adjustment on the bow bumper post. My 196 rode at the back set of holes. I believe the 206 hull's extra length was toward the bow. The forward set of holes may work, leaving the boat correctly set over the axle. 

My 47 ChrisCraft has the best gas guage ever. An original factory supplied 4 ft long measuring stick you put down the fill pipe. 75 years old and still works perfectly.

@DW great pic of the old invisible V8 model.  I built one in 1968.

Sorry, I met him at Lake 38 and he said just call. So try the contact on the website and ask him to call you.