Director Darwin

I'm not on an A-1 but my neighbor brought one back from Nationals. I looked at the skis in WPB but didn't bite. He couldn't resist. Instead, I have a Prophesy on order - review coming next Wednesday - stay tuned.

He's more full of sh** than a porta jon at the Lollapalooza festival. But if you are looking for someone to jump on a bandwagon, he's your man!

J - it depends on what speed / line length you are skiing but I would think the 67.5 would be closer to your weight. I'm 200 and would not consider the 66.5" - too short. You may feel the shorter ski turns easier but with proper set up, the 67.5 will turn just as well and your back won't be hurting after one month. Some of those on this forum that are familiar w/ HO set ups can assist but I would think a fin adjustment might be a good start.

Meet the new boss......same as the old boss.ÂÂÂ

It will interesting to see what everyone's riding at the Bayou Big Dawg.ÂÂÂ

The first thing you need to do is find a ski and STICK WITH IT!! I learned this year that jumping around on skis had a MAJOR negative impact on my skiing. Went back to my 9600 and am skiing my best since 2005. RS-1, A-1, Prophesy - whatever - just pick one and go ski!!

I LOVE TO SKI BUT NEVER CLAIMED TO BE SMART - John Horton Now there's a t-shirt!!

I'll be over tonight to pick some up!

Bill - that's not good news for those of us who use your products. We have a small club and currently spend around $1200/year in dye. If it goes up significantly, we'll have to look for other options in the marketplace. Perhaps a group buy as referenced above would make it more profitable on the supplier end and affordable on the vendor end.

Eric - there is nothing currently available on the SG system that truly replicates ZO. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I too, struggle behind SG. There is too much delay in response from the boat and the mid course times are always 7:16 to 7:18 (with me, anyway). That makes the boat over react from 3 to 4 in order to get a 16:95 end time. I've been skiing great behind ZO for the past week. Got behind SG last night and struggled at first. Like you, I have SG at Nationals. My advice is to "tone-down" at the apex of your turns and don't get in a hurry. The delay in pull can work to your advantage if you let it. As I've said before, a bad driver can impact your performance much greater than any cruise system. And the deeper water at WPB will feel slower as well.ÂÂÂ

$6000/year seems a bit steep for a place like Ironwood but supply and demand dictate pricing. California is not a good example of market pricing.

Horton - just suck it up - it's not that different. I looked at my practice scores this year behind each system and it is relatively close ( around 4-5 at 35 average). My tournament average is about the same. Of course, you can come down early and ski w/ MS at my place - I think he's coming for my Labor Day tournament, staying the week and then driving down for the BBD.

You can start there but may need to adjust. The pregate should be right but may need to be lowered for "N". Work your 1-ball times first and then 3 ball when making changes. As for "L" and "N", I use 160lbs as the cutoff. And yes, you may still need to manipulate the crew weight to get the times to balance. Otherwise, I wouldn't mess with it. PPSG will be a thing of the past in two weeks. You won't see it in many tournaments moving forward.ÂÂÂ

If I remember correctly, it's equivalent to $26/ gallon - much cheaper than Aquashade - that's what I used before as well.

39 off - seldom awarded - never given.ÂÂÂ

I would not move buoys to compensate for your site. That would be very time consuming should you elect to host a tournament and have to reset (survey) them back in. Just hold some tournaments at your site and if it skis as good as you say, you'll fill up fast. Part of being a good skier is adapting to different sites and their inherent variables.

We get our powdered dye from Western Farm Service in Visalia, CA. Met them at Nationals in Bakerfield a couple of years back. The rep's name is Bill Galli. His email is bgturf (at) yahoo.com

John: What "cult of personality" are you creating now? The RS-1 hype has now faded? At some point, this whole process becomes nothing more than kitsch.

I guess it's a difference in style ( I have none!). The 9700 is quicker than the 9600 but I believe the 9600 works better for me. I never bonded well w/ the 9700 and that could have been the particular ski I had - who knows. But the SL has not been kind to a large group of skiers from my area. And these guys are 38/39 off types. They've all gone back to 9500/9600/9700 versions with great success. I'm hearing of similar tales from other areas as well. The 9800 / 9800SL is getting a reputation for breaking down or downright breaking. The 9500-9700 versions held up better under fire. Now, Dave will introduce his surfboard at Nationals this year. Those I've spoken to who have ridden it have differing opinions. It will be interesting to see how well this ski does in the marketplace. But for me, I'll stick w/ my old ski for now - that is, until John sends me a 68" Prophesy!!

Tried them all - back on my 2005 Goode 9600 - best ski (along w/ 9500) Goode ever made.ÂÂÂ

So, basically you ski the first weekend in August and then get out the snowmobile?

The local 2007 MC promo had a similar issue - turned out to be a fuel filter issue I believe - starving the engine. I would start there.

The algae MS referred to is probably what you have. Pretty common in most parts of the country. The remedy he provided is your best best. Grass carp won't eat it. I have the same issue from time to time and I have 150 grass carp in my lake. I would try dying the water with either Aqua Shade or any other similar product that will prevent UV rays from penetrating the water. I keep my lake dyed during the summer months and it seems to help. Running a boat on the lake every day will oxygenate the water enough to slow down the growth of algae as well. It thrives on hot, stagnant, clear water.

BTW, Wiley's has 07 Monzas for $550 blank

Guess this means you are sticking w/ the Radar? Interesting.ÂÂÂ