chaloux

I think I'd have a good handle on it after reading this book

If I recall correctly, I believe Jonathan was experimenting with this very idea, he had just finished adding some material and was waiting for it to fully cure before trying it out. I've never had an arm go through the handle but I sure as fook DO NOT want that to ever happen to me. I would switch to this handle type in a second.

Was wondering if you'd chime in! After showing me the prototype when I visited I was curious if there had been any development.

That's rough news, if true, and it's a big if at this point. At the boat show in Toronto a couple weeks ago I almost pulled the trigger on a '23 Prostar that was owned by the McClintocks. I didn't in the end - 100k CAD financed over 20 years was $700/mo, AFTER a 50k deposit. Lol. But the rep said that there were 15 Prostars for NA. Is that right? The number seemed shockingly low, I figured 25 at least. Regardless, these kind of sales numbers are just way, way less than expected. And yes, any new boat is totally out of range for the middle class. My dad purchased a new Supra Comp in 93 for 25k outright, as a single income family, self employed electrician. The divide between wage increases/stagnation and inflation have just not aligned at all. While I don't think that they price of boats is the entire picture, it has to be a part of it.

My biggest injury that affected my skiing last year was actually tripping while I was walking down a set of granite stairs with my ~65lb work tool backpack on and grinding my shins along the edge of 2 steps. Couldn't ski for almost a month which is a good portion of our season up here. So I plan on not doing that again first of all. But in terms of preparation, a good program from my PT for general strength training starting about now, and then in March a more tailored workout routine. Likely won't have a first set until April or May, so a couple months to hone in should be lots of time.

Beautiful boat! So what made you decide to go the Nautique route in the end?

I might have to pick this up just cuz... Would be perfect while I wait/search/save for "the one" https://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-motorboat/trenton-on/1999-ski-nautique-surf/m4917491

Removed course today. So cold. Should do it earlier next year

The prices at the start of this thread are just totally bonkers. Sheesh. Friggin' ten+ year old boats are going for more than a 5 year old *immaculate* boat at the time. This timeline is just silly.

I can't imagine the ice being more than a foot thick. When I went to put it together this spring I had most of the empty jugs in place and they were floating at the surface over the winter. Unfortunately I can't really get down there to check in the winter, no snowmobile trails and can't go on the river as most of it is open. I think if I sunk it a foot down from the surface that'd be lots - just a few fishermen to watch out for or notify that it's still there. @skimtb and @motoxr I think that either of these options would work - @motoxr you say half way down the line do you mean half way down the rope to the cable or do you mean at the mid point of the course? I'm assuming you mean partially down the rope that goes from the main cable to the buoy. That's exactly what I'm thinking with the half full antifreeze jugs

Very soon. Course will be "out" within the next few weeks, boat as well. Hopefully I can get out a couple more times but we're at the end for sure. Haven't been able to go at all since last Saturday 😞

I'm running last gen double Vapors and love them. I've always used double boots so it made sense when I started getting more serious about slalom. Once they get tired I'd be very happy to jump into new double Vapors (or perhaps venture out and try a RTP).

@Cooper_Trelawney absolutely agree that having to watch the top seeds chase an early score was entertaining as heck. Was so great to see all the skiers have to work hard for those buoys, and some big upsets! Very surprised with Whitney.

So last year I pulled all the buoys off and replaced them with empty plumbing antifreeze jugs (am a plumber). I left the course in the river because my turn ball arms are glued and it's pretty intensive to install/remove. There is also a lot of debris at the bottom - lots of trees and branches. Our river is much larger than nature intended because of being controlled for hydro generation and logging, and when it was all cleared Hydro was supposed to clean everything up and obviously didn't. So I'm hesitant to let it sink fully as that could be a huge pain in the spring to try to raise again. Sometimes if a turn ball comes off and an arm drops to the bottom, the river adapter has to be removed to pull it up because it will get caught on a branch or tree. Not interested in dealing with that with the whole course. This spring I found one buoy arm had snapped, which I was able to recover and repair, but that was pretty much it in terms of damage. This year I'm thinking of filling the antifreeze jugs half full (or whatever is required) to partially sink the course so the jugs don't get caught in the ice. The river moves pretty strongly all winter - max about .5" of ice at the end of our dock, but it is much wider where the course is so I'm sure there's more ice there. Anyone have experience with this? Any recommendations other than fully sinking the course or fully removing it? It's an ez slalom cable course again with glued arms. I will remove the river adapters.

@BraceMakerI believe that's correct. When I heard that stat last year I thought WHAT

What happened to Trinidad's slalom run, will she have to restart from the start? She was cut off about to head into 38 and then the event was interrupted and I couldn't find if/where they talked about it afterwards.

My thoughts exactly, both re: bring a gear junkie and Nate. As Marcus said in his interview with Allie Nicholson in Cali, it's a "between the ears" thing for me... if you can include my entire body as being between my ears. For the most part, anyway. I for sure need a new boat, but that's cheap and easy 🤦🏻‍♂️

Ok so how does a higher hour 200 factor into all this? This just listed 2011 200 is actually a couple grand cheaper than the 2009 listed above, albeit with about 10x the hours. https://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Boat_3Event&postid=68535

On the other end of the spectrum. Any of our Quebec friends know this boat? https://www.groupecontant.ca/bateaux-correct-craft-ski-nautique-196-limited-2009-cs-u59514.html

Correct, afaik the 07 is no ECM change. Despite potentially needing a new trans in the future I definitely want to look at the boat. Gives me a reference point at the very least.

https://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?endless=summer&topic=Search&category=Boat_3Event&postid=67838 Hmm

I really appreciate all the replies - it definitely helps bring me back to reality a little bit. A transmission replacement was not something I had considered. I'll just keep putting my pennies away and purchase something in the spring I guess. Any large-ish purchase I've made in a rush I've regretted, so I guess I'll keep waiting lol

Only for the 07. Older boats is significantly more, double and then some. I would do it myself.

Thanks everyone. The main thing is that this boat is 25k CDN! Or about 18k USD. Here's the listing: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1693488147763373/ I am for sure at least going to see it. Looks like the vinyl has been redone at some point. Gel coat looks faded (it was on my 94 Sport as well and came back wonderfully, I surprised the fiberglass people who said I'd need new gel coat). I do understand the lack of trailer as a pretty big barrier, though. Can be a major pain, but there is literally nothing else in this price range for 07-09. But if I add another 6-8k on for a trailer then I'm in the 30+ range where options start to open up. So I've been specifically looking at 07+ for the ZO setup/ease of conversion if 07. This is because the PP setup on my 94 Sport seems a little unstable or slow to react at 34/36mph. 32 is seems much better - perhaps this is just a characteristic of my boat/prop etc. but it's made me want to transition to ZO. Yes I am on the latest StarGazer v. But perhaps I'm focusing too much on the ZO setup and need to expand my search to include down to 99 so that I can get the hull first and spend a couple grand later to convert to ZO. OR, again... I wait and save and pony up. I am just impatient and want a new hull for the rest of the season, which I admit is quite short at this point. Gah.

There is a 2007 196 local to me that is up for sale currently. As far as I can find, it's one of the lowest price 196s around my area (as in within a day's drive). There are of course a few caveats... - high hours at approx 2000 - no trailer (pretty annoying, could figure it out though, and helps to defer some of the cost) - 07 so no Zero Off, but I would convert ASAP (also helps keep initial purchase cost down if I chose to wait) I have not yet seen the boat, but am hoping to soon. The current owner can take a while to respond. With a higher hour boat like this, what should I be looking for in my test ski/drive? Pictures show it looks to be in fairly good shape. The hours don't scare me - I have 190k km on my 2018 Silverado and it has approx 3300 engine hours on it, and all I've had to do is oil changes - I changed spark plugs but I really didn't need to as they looked to be in great shape. I'd be happy to share the listing as long as you buggers let me take first crack at it lol We picked up a pontoon boat this year which made my wife very happy, and I am now able to take a few of the "family" type duties off of my ski boat requirements. No open bow needed, smaller is fine. I know my knees and skiing will thank me. It's either that or I wait and save some more and pick up a 200 or Prostar. I was able to ski a 2019 SN and a 08 196 and a '23 Prostar back to back. I would be happy with any of them, but this boat would get me out of my Sport Nautique the soonest. This would also benefit my 13 year old's skiing - he is getting a good leg workout at 30mph 15 off