Director Darwin

Zgo - I agree that without proper set up and maintenance, any system can fail. But comparing the FM's w/ a constant/repeatable release variable (via the dialed tension on the release spring) and the Radar system where the ski jerks on two cords until they "feel" the same each time, does not wash. It is difficult to create the exact same release function with stretch cords. As I've stated previously, I don't really have a dog in this fight. I think the Radar design is on the right track but calling them "safe" or "safer" than any other system is totally reliant on the accuracy of the user.

My comments regarding the Open skiers I observed was simply to illustrate your point - one must adjust the tension properly for the bindings to perform (and release) appropriately. That's true with any binding system that has a release component - be it Radars or Powershells or whatever. As I stated, I think the Radar system is on the right track. In the past, we have all traded safety in exchange for performance.

As a follow up to the Radar boot system, I had the opportunity to discuss the system w/ a few Pros at a recent tournament. In fact, I was first off the dock behind the Open Men so I had the chance to talk to them about the boots and look at their setups.  When I saw how tight they pulled the cords (aftermarket - not stock), I inquired about release. To a man, none thought they would come out of the boots when they tightened them enough to get the control they desired. Therefore, to get the control they needed they had to tighten the cords to the point where releasing from them in a fall was questionable. Again, I think the Radar RS-1's will continue to evolve and may become the standard one day. I look forward to trying the next generation.

Roger: Even though I use a hybrid setup utilizing dual loc, I agree w/ your conclusions. Dual loc is a FASTENER - not a release mechanism. I use enough dual loc whereby the ski will not pre-release (has happened before) and probably will not release in an OTF fall. There are many opinions regarding release /non-release. I've had bad falls w/ both and (so far) have come out the other end in good shape. That being said, it REALLY pains me to admit that the Reflex system (when set up properly) is the best releasable system I've seen. I have experimented with all of the systems available including Radar, and the Reflex system provides the best combination of control and release function. I'll continue to use my current setup this season but I'll be trying the Reflex system again this fall and will try the Radar system again in the future as the design improves.

By holding the ON/OFF button the the UP button at the same time, you will be able to adjust your pregate, 1 ball and 3 ball settings for 34mph L and N and 36mph L and N. Each boat is different and will be some fine tuning to get actual mid course and end times. Don't just focus on end times. You'll get 16.95 everytime. The devel is in the details. The adjustments that the boat makes at 3 ball to get the 16.95 end time can have a dramatic impact on the skier. If you are running 7.18's mid and 16.95 end times, the boat is smoking the skier on the back half of the course. If you are getting 7.06 mids, then the boat is smoking the first half and slowing down in the last half. In order to balance the two, you will need to adjust the pregate, 1 ball and 3 ball settings accordingly - up for slow mids and down for fast mids. I would suggest a pregate of .50, 1 ball of 17 and 3 ball of 15 to begin with. Adjust upward or downward from there. jhd

For sale? Not mine. My 67" will stay on site. I may be opting for a 68" before I'm done but there are enough potential buyers on site for my 67" - it's a great ski.

We pulled 8 PB's at my tournament this past weekend. 4 behind SG and 4 behind ZO. I skied within 1/2 buoy of my PB behind ZO. One skier scored 2 @ 41 off behind ZO. The ZO P-101 version is better than previous versions and once you get used to the pull, it is fine. I've found that a driver has more of an impact on my skiing than does the cruise control. BTW, most skier chose "A" setting on ZO.ÂÂÂ

I don't think you will find that much difference between SG and PP classic. The main issue is mid-course times for lighter skiers. If the boat is set up for a 180lb skier, you should be fine. The lighter skiers >150 will have to deal w/ hot first segments and actual end times. Don't let MS freak you out. If you ski 4-6 buoys off your PB, it won't be the boat's (or cruise) fault.ÂÂÂ

Sorry - we had a tournament at our site this weekend and I have been tied up. I would concur w/ Bruce on the size. I'm 200lbs and tried the 67". It felt nice but I think a 68" would work even better.

"It pains me when Horton is right about something"

Let me first state that I was not overly enthusiastic about this ski. It’s a 67†that I thought would be too small. I had heard that it was “lively†– whatever that means. It was a complete redesign of a current model and finally, I’ve been riding Goode’s for 11 years and have had no luck in finding a ski that performs as well. But I’ve been disappointed in the 9800 + (SL) and thought I would give the Radar a try. I think the ski has tremendous potential after one set. It carries speed off the 2nd wake unlike any ski I’ve ever ridden. It carries the speed thru the turn very well also. It goes 90 out of the ball as well as my Goode but maintains its speed allowing me to handle the load much better. I just ran four or five 28-off passes and never felt like I had to work hard to get the ski across course. In fact, the ski would release off the 2nd wake without much input from me. That was the most surprising trait. I fell over at 1 ball on more than one occasion because I was “too-early†for the amount of effort I exerted. This is the first ski I’ve ever ridden that felt like I was holding it back. By that, I mean that the ski really wanted to go harder than I was willing to go. Its potential for short-line is unmistakable.  I will ride the ski again tomorrow but will probably be back on my Goode for our tournament this weekend. But, I will definitely be back on the ski on Monday which is quite a turnaround from my attitude prior to riding it. I wasn’t even going to take it out of the box – I was going to give it to another skier to try. I’m glad I had a change of heart. I think I can run a lot of buoys on this ski w/ the proper amount of water-time to get used to its characteristics – the most apparent is how effortless it gets across course, holds angle and releases off the 2nd wake. It’s a fun ride

First - it should have come w/ a wing. Call Wiley's and ask about it. Or..... Two: Go to www.d3skis.com and order one - I think they are pretty cheap Three: Order a set of wing angle gauges from D3 or Wileys - you really only need 7, 8 and 9 deg. so no need to purchase a whole set. Three: Put it at 7 degrees - screws up (above the blades).

Good stuff, John. Thanks for making a product you were passionate about. That's rare in today's world. My daugher's thank you also. They don't ride a ski w/o a CBR 88 in the fin box - they were brought up RIGHT!

What? You should have thrown it in the trash at Ski Ranch and saved the trouble of hauling it home.

Richard - use day glow orange for the letters - that would look cool!

I agree w/ Ward - given time on any of the high end skis, I would be within a buoy or two of where I am on my 9800. The issue is consistency. I'm not looking for an additional 4 buoys out of a ski. Just keep me at my current pace on a consistent basis and that will allow me to creep my buoy count up. My complaint w/ the 9800 is my inconsistency when I ride it. I know it's not the ski but if I can't be consistent on it, then it is not serving me (my style) well.

Too late - I think he was standing next to me at the time - you just can't shake that guy in close quarters!

John: Carly gave me the low down on the 09 test this past weekend - very nice. If my daughter wasn't skiing collegiate I would be interested in participating (as a tester this time).

Pretty cool stuff! HO has obviously spent a significant amount of time, energy and resources on this product. I'm not certain what expertise Bob LaPoint brings to water ski design but I would assume that HO would not be putting his name on their product if they didn't have confidence in his abilities. That being said, I always judge a ski's worth by looking on the starting dock at Regionals / Nationals. The day Goode is not the prominent ski at the M3/M4 starting dock will be the day one of the other manufacturers will have hit a home run. I look forward to that day.

Chuck - this was an ELR tournament this past weekend. This was not my boat- 2008 LXI promo boat - but I drove it two rounds. I did not drive for my daughter (conflict rule) but was told by the driver of the issues. He pulled her in "L" mode but did not have the opportunity to adjust the pregate, 1 ball and 3 ball settings. Besides, if he had dialed the boat in for her, it would have been WAY slow for the 180-200 lb shortline skiers - of which there were many. Therefore, your non=DBW boat may not experience the same issues. But if I had the option, I would pull your event w? PP Classic. Since your boat is a 1993 model, I assume the tournament is a "F" class or similar so it really doesn't matter which system you use and PP Classic is much friendlier to ALL skiers.

The MC was dead on when using ZO (if you believe in virtual timing). SG was always hot on the lighter skiers but right on for the 180-210lb skiers. Horton asked sometime back what would be the biggest news in 2008. I predicted it would be speed control. I'm being proven correct. We had some of the best skiers in the country at Ski Ranch this weekend - including some notable pros - Billy Susi, Thomas Moore, Ian Trapp, etc. Out of approx. 200 pulls over two days, 39-off was run TWICE! That's absurd. 39 is typically the norm at that tournament - not the exception. It can be directly related to the issues surrounding speed control.  I'm about 3-4 buoys off my average from last year. Several skiers commented that they were one full pass off their scores from last year.  The feel of ZO is much different than PP and will take some change in skiing style for some to conform. StarGazer DOES NOT give consistent pulls to ALL skiers. My mid course times were 7:16 to 7:18. My daughter's were 7:07 to 7:09. But, or course, the end times were always 16.95 - something doesn't compute. She commented that her 28 off pass felt hot. Possibly why she only ran it once all weekend. She scored 4 @ 28 off twice - makes sense considering she was getting hot times thru 2/3rds of the course. We have gone one step forward - two steps back as it relates to speed control. I say we should "junk" all of this and go back to PP 6.5ng. We were all accustomed to the pull and no one had any complaints.  jhdÂÂÂ

Some interesting notes from this past weekend: 1. The MC is MUCH better w/ ZO than Stargazer. As MS stated, don't let the sound freak you out. The pull is awesome. 2. The SG in the Malibu was set up perfect for the 180-200lb shortline skiers. The lighter skiers got smoked. I think it would be interesting if the mid-course and 5 ball times were noted in addition to the end course. I pulled a lot of 7.07 mids / 9.77 5 ball and 16.95's this weekend. As the skiers weight went up, the times began to balance. But the kids / ladies got screwed. It will all be a moot point in the near future, but Star Gazer is not the answer. In fact, it is the problem in most cases. ÂÂÂ

MS - did the Monza get pulled out of the trash can and make it home with you?

Correction - move the fin BACK unitl the tip drops in nicely. Sorry - had too many beers yesterday!

Chuck: If I remember correctly, Ian Trapp told me 6.890 length (TIPS) / 2.50 depth and .780 DFT. Move the fin forward until the tip drops in for your liking and you're good to go.