DW

The stain will disappear when the ‘someone’ replaces it. Strong solvents will probably only make it worse, dawn soap and water may be as strong as you want to go.

@Drago And make sure to save any pets.

@FSSPCat - simply install a vinyl / sunbrella tonneau cover, that's what numerous OB's have. Mine snaps in place and is used during the cool days. Thinking more about the whole play pen aspect, later model Malibu's offer a Lexan wind block that slides down at the windshield. At least with that, if you swamp it, you can simply pull it up to let the water drain from the bow.

My Shoremaster lift has a rubber bumper on the rear prop stop crossbar so at least no metal to metal contact. I have a cross dock across the front that also acts as a nose bumper to keep the prop from bumping anything. A piece of Hydroturf / SeaDek or similar where the nose would hit acts as a soft landing.

There are several very interesting comments in this thread, things being done opposite of conventional wisdom, significant changes to solve an issue: 1. rotating the front foot the opposite direction one would expect @lpskier providing the rationale as to why. 2. changing one's stance, yikes, that would take a big relearn again, rationale and ultimate benefit provided making one certainly think about such a drastic change. 3. how individual a boot rotation affects each person based on leg / ankle / foot geometry. Another reason this site is such a great resource for addicted skiers.

@scoke - in your answer to lpskier you mean rotate correct?

It would be interesting to look at the engine calibration tables to see if things like throttle gain and ignition timing are significantly different across mfg’s. Many years ago an outside company did the cal development for Indmar, not sure if things are different as ZO has been integrated.

@scoke - could you elaborate on your DFT 'more finicky' comment? What do you notice as the DFT goes out of the good range? Thx.

@joeroberts37 - congrats, welcome to a great sport. You are headed down the path of addiction, cure unknown...

There are multiple states considering or enacting surf / ballasted boat regulations based on lake property owner complaints. There are a few wake studies (U of Minn being one and currently the go to reference) documenting the wake properties. If you peruse the social media threads there is a very clear and divisive grouping of the surfers v the rest resulting in a lack of cooperation or working towards a reasonable compromise or solution. My take, the problem is not going away on it's own, more complaints will fill the airwaves resulting in litigation and regulations as the method to solve the problem. A key for this group, stay abreast of any impending legislation to hope the ski community does not get impacted.

@Mastercrafter - Given you are even thinking about it, how much will you fret over every storm, wind event for 4 months if you leave it in? How much is the peace of mind worth v. the effort to take it out. The gang on Lake Theresa, north of you, leaves them all in with no issues. They are on the inlet side of the lake and have some blockage from the wind. Question - what brand dock, looks nice.

@water_skier1 - Do not use star washers under all six, the plate does need the freedom to move when the ski flexes, that is why there are slots. Only 2 holes should be used to lock the plate or used to keep it from moving, the other 4 should allow the plate to slide forward and backward. Mark on the ski and the plate where you mount the binding, compare before & after ski runs to verify plate does not move forward or backward. As previously noted, a star washer under the two middle screws should hold the plate in place.

Yes and wondered whether just graphics.

+1 on using a drill bit, cleaner than a file.

If I were in your shoes, I would consult a specialist to verify impact w/ helmet is lower for a water impact. Jumpers use them so that could be a good source. Given this sports access to top pro athletes, I would expect if you reach out they would be happy to help.

@water_skier1 - what length is your VTR? The HO website has a chart for binding location, the distance stated is a measurement from the back edge of the ski to the back edge of the binding (normally the back edge of the rubber heel part). Depending on ski length it should be roughly 28-30”. I will add an HO Animal mounting plate does have the front slots at the very front of the plate.

@Horton From the graphical representation of RPM change the asymmetry of A & C settings are both where it happens and the rate of RPM change on the accel & decel side. B is symmetrical in both (theoretically). Do you think the effect you are feeling or not liking is due to the more instantaneous response of a DI engine, specifically on the decel side (rather than the accel side) leaving you with less line pressure at that point or what you are expecting or used to? It would be fun to have rope load data to look at to see if there is any correlation, although I would bet it's probably mired in the white noise of the data.

Sometimes 'Great Lakes Skipper' may have what you are looking for also.

@Horton is that screw from the ski in the background? I will assume yes, but reason I am asking is I am riding the same brand and don't want to damage a new ski and they would batch buy the screws so logical to assume similar potential. Screw / insert threads should be considered a maintenance item (remove, treat, check at a given frequency) similar to hardshell boot hardware, etc. @wawaskr - +1 on potential inferior quality hardware, very easy to inadvertently end up with some.

A GM 5.7 small block marine engine is not just a truck engine, there are a few marine specific items. Short block - camshaft, core plugs and you have to make sure you get a 4 bolt main bolt one. A truck block can certainly be a great starting point.

Easy pull up by driver and try clincher gloves

I wonder if a piece of pipe insulation Ty wrapped around the release would work. Would need to verify functionality prior to use.

HO Animal bindings will mount on a D3 ski. The reverse should apply. The ski hole pattern is pretty much standard today although which hole is the recommended starting point varies. Use the mfg. suggested distance from tail to start.

Goode's fins are .095" thick. I'll verify that.

I agree with @Dirt, @ForrestGump, @The_MS although anybody here can / should consider themselves weird, I know all my friends (I pay money to have them) agree to that 🤣.