DaveD

I think i've got a while before I have to worry about adding a third speed control to the issue. I don't get a lot of opportunities to ski behind new boats. Right now I need help figuring out how to go back and forth without taking a set or two to adapt. I'll try the "-" and "--" this morning. Is there anything I can do in the course that will help too?ÂÂÂÂ

MN and MI weather must be identical. Especially when you're skiing big lakes. You ski all you can when it's not raining or windy.

MS, You must not be pulling hard enough. Maybe that's why that 9800 isn't working for you/vanillaforum/js/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif

Marco, I agree with you, but that step back is sure frustrating.ÂÂÂÂ

So far this season I've been skiing with behind boats that have Accuski. I just skied behind a boat with Perfect Pass and struggled big time coming out of the ball. With the perfect pass, I was constantly breaking at the waist as I was completing the turn. It seemed like this boat was yanking me earlier than the Accuski boats. Is this typical? If so, what can I do to compensate for this difference?ÂÂÂÂ

I believe he was trying to get me to ski wider and earlier. I wasn't sure about looking cross-course but I understood what result he was trying to get.  I feel like I'm pulling harder than the guys running 35off. I'm feel like I'm turing the ski quickly. Just can't seem to stay ahead on my 28 @34 pass. Oh well, I'm going over to the west side of the state to have Ty Oppenlander work with me next Monday. Hopefully he won't have to deconstruct and rebuild my skiing.ÂÂÂÂ

I just skied at a local school just to get another perspective on my many issues. It's amaizing to me how one little recomendation can throw every other part of your skiing off. He told me to look cross coarse while pulling across the wake and to stop looking at the next ball. While I was trying to do this, everything else went to Hell. I easily made 6 straight passes at 22off 34mph on Tuesday and couldn't make one pass today. I know it was a different lake and boat, but that shouldn't affect me that much. I know in the long run the lesson will help, but it's frustrating to take those backward steps.ÂÂÂÂ

I didn't see that many guys skiing the second day at the Big Dawg using the one hand gate. Is that because all of them are "old" guys and are set in their ways? /vanillaforum/js/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif Or is this an indication that gates are like putting in golf? Some guys will make major changes to their putting in order to get out of a slump, then end up going back after improvements that came with the change level out.ÂÂÂÂ

I got there just in time to watch Ben run 39 like it was a walk in the park in the first round. I thought for sure he would win it all skiing like that. Makes sense knowing it was closer to a 38 pass. Mark Johnson was pumped when he ran what he thought was a personal best of 4 @ 39, winning his first round match-up by a half ball. I imagine he felt a lot like Ben because he ended up losing the match-up on the re-ride. That was my first Big Dawg, I was a surprised how small the crowd was. Is this typical for this tournament or was this a result of the location? I'm not complaining though, it was real nice sitting along the shore with an un-obstructed view.ÂÂÂÂ

With it set at 5 degrees, my wing is only on the fin because it's a good place to store it. What was the angle and what line length were you skiing at?

Throwing a short (as in 15-30 seconds) tantram is ok as long as you laugh at yourself right afterwards. Anything longer than that is childish. Unless you lost out on a big purse, then you can sulk for days.ÂÂÂÂ

We can't update the status report until you've finished that TPS report. We're going to need you to come in on Sunday to work on that ok? That would be great.ÂÂÂÂ

Ok, from now on when talking to John only use small words and short sentences. Phrases like:"I get back to you on that" ; "We're working on that as we speak";and "It will be finished in the near future" are the kind of things John can understand without having to think. When communicating ski set-ups keep it simple too. Like "distance from tail is about 3/4 of an inch"/vanillaforum/js/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif

John, What's your problem with us engineers? Face it, waterskiing has progressed into an engineering sport. With all of the opportunities to tweak and improve the equipment used in skiing, this sport is a natural breading ground for anal retentive engineers. I love basketball too but it doesn't off the intellectual stimulation of skiing. Dave

RS, Is that timing the same for all line lenghts?  Do you make any changes as you shorten the rope? Is everyone here that uses the one handed gate RFF?ÂÂÂÂ

Great information. I don't get enough time in the course to play with set-ups. It's a better use of my skiing time to research fin changes before taking up course time trying a change. One or two passes to see if I like the change then spend the rest of my course time trying to get off the tail so I can stop these "station wagon" turns. 22off shouldn't be causing me this much of a problem.  By the way John, the X5 rocks!!/vanillaforum/js/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-smile.gif

My D3 fin has a few different places to mount the wing.  I was wondering what are the effects when moving the wing lower on the fin or moving it toward the tail. That would be the only movement, same angle, no changes to the fin, not even flipping the wing. Thanks, Dave

It's even harder when you suffer from long term exposure to carbon fibers and toxic epoxy.ÂÂÂÂ

I'm thinking Kevlar ski pants. Sure would help prevent those high speed water enemas. (right Glen?)

OK, I've got a taker for the carbon, now I've got to find someone to take the Kevlar. Anyone out there want to make their own bullet proof vest?ÂÂÂÂ

John, I work for a large automotive supplier that has seen some serious reorganization lately. We were told to clean out a few labs and came across this carbon and a couple rolls of Kevlar. I haven't been able to locate the person that was using the stuff so I have no way of determining product details or how old it is (remember the basic rule for storing materials: label everything clearly with a rec'd date). Instead of throwing it out, I'd rather give it to someone that will put it to good use. And maybe that person will spot me a few of those Britney Spears tickets too. Eric, This stuff will decompose before I get back to San Diego again. I'll find out what shipping cost will be. Any of your buddies out there make surf boards? Maybe they could use that Kevlar to make a shark proof surf board:)

A couple guys at work are telling me all the different ways to make skis but there's more to making a good ski than knowing how to manufacture it. Even if you build a mold off your favoite ski, how many iterations does it take to get the flex pattern right? It's a good suggestion, but I'll leave the ski building to someone with more free time and experience.ÂÂÂÂ

If you ever need any, let me know. I have over 25 yards of the stuff.  Hey Eric, need any for your next ski?ÂÂÂÂ

John, I found 2 rolls of woven carbon while cleaning out a lab at work. There are no markings on the roll so I have no clue what it is other than it's carbon fiber. Can this be used for anything? Dave