boarditup

Hard issue because it is really hard to define. Most go with boat length restrictions - 20-feet being common. Some go with a weight restriction - 3,000 total wet capacity (all fluids, including ballast tanks full). That leaves fat sacks as the question mark. It also gets fishing boats as live wells then count as weight. Some outlaw "wake enhancing devices." That is really hard to define as well - occupants? Lead filled bags slalom skiers use for trim? Trim tabs? Malibu's wedge? How about a bilge filled with water? In my opinion you can enforce a size and a wet weight standard but little else. Best wishes.

Incredible athlete.

As a dealer how much it costs to replace an alternator in the VW diesels.... Great performance, but the cost of routine replacements for wear items is pricey. Always ask for the cost of a replacement starter, alternator, water pump, and radiator before buying. Some cars are cheap as used vehicles for good reason.

Next boat I want all white.

Did it once - learned my lesson. Never again. Needed tow truck with winch. I would recommend the preforated metal decking the military uses for improvised landing zones. It can be easily laid with minimal equipment and can support a lot of weight. If you are around a base with SeeBees or Engineering commands, you can find the used planking at the DRMO.

As a former lake owner/operator, I have been down this road. Lots of good advice above. Here is my additional advice: 1. No alcohol on the site. 2. They must pick up their own trash. 3. No overnight camping on the site. 4. They supply and maintain an ADA portable toilet on the site. 5. All boat drivers have the AWSA Trained Driver training (on-line). 6. Have set training days and times - they do not have the complete run of the place. 7. Have a standard set of lake rules that everyone follows (taking turns, how to pick up a skier, replacing buoys, dogs, guests, etc.). Let them ski - but keep it to a dull roar.

Keep it out of the sun. Don't let it get knocked around inside of the boat. Check your fin's measurements to verify they have not shifted. Make sure all fasteners are tight. If you do take the fin box apart - use anti-seize when re-assembling. Finally - use it and have fun.

Another option is using street grating with swaged stainless steel cable loops though each opening in the grate. This will settle into the bottom with the cable loops sticking up. If you get the grate in close to the right place the additional loops allow for more attachment points for the sub-buoy. This does require a diver, but you have the advantage of a permanent anchored system that is really simple in the long run. Essentially it is a more flexable version of the poured block system already discussed. I like the site. Not too far away from one of my wind farms....

I am similar size and weight and ski on Radar skis. Every time I have moved the front binding forward one hole to get the ski to perform. I think the cutoff from stock to moving forward is in the 220-230 range. I don't know because it has been some years since I was 225.

Green buoys on bricks that you move out toward the Red turn buoys. Start 13-feet in from the Reds (or 15-feet, whatever). When he masters the distance, move the buoy a couple of feet outboard. Make a big deal about moving the buoys. The key is to have the kid successful in his mind and fully engaged. INT rules have 1/2 bouy for the Green balls and 1 buoy for the reds. Total up the score. It works to keep the kids engaged while learning the course and developing the strength to make it through. Finally, don't let the kid get frustrated or feel pushed. This is supposed to be fun. Keep it fun and they will beg to go skiing.

It seems to me that materials and manufacturing techniques are driving the evolution of the shapes. As the designers get newer materials and techniques to use, the shapes seem to be following to make the best use of the materials and techniques. I don't see any revolution in shape technology that everyone will copy.

Those of us who wakeboard and snowboard ride switch all the time. I takes a lot of practice. I have not tried switch on the slalom ski, yet. Sounds humbling for a long time. In the winter, I try to spend about 25% of my time riding switch on the snowboard. Still not as comfortable as regular.

Great news. Give her a fist bump for me. Love hearing about the first passes!

I suffered with epilepsy as a child. Many mothers would not let their children around me - they thought it was contagious. While society has moved a bit beyond that point, there still is a lot of misunderstanding, especially when it comes to school sports. It is really hard for some coaches and trainers to fully grasp the situation and what to do when a seizure strikes. Jenny: I pray you are sucessful in moving mountains. You have my unqualified support. I also pray that you will be cured and have this burden taken from you.

I could not post the photos - I do have some good before/after.

Chip, from Phoenix Trailer, stood behind a trailer 2-years out of warranty. A couple of weeks ago, I put the MasterCraft on the trailer and a bunk fell off underneath the boat. What happened is the newly mandated EPA formulation for treating the boards used brine and the salts had eaten away the steel. He renewed the trailer with new steel, paint, bunk boards, carpet, and even added in some post bumpers. The rest of the trailer is good and aging well. My next boat trailer will be a Phoenix. He earned some loyality from me.

Big 22-off bump....

All that money and the oil filter is still on the bottom of the motor where you are sure to spill used engine oil into your bilge? Come on PCM, Mercury puts remote oil filters on top for easy and clean maintenance.

Most inboards are typically used for 80-150 hours per year. That is the basis for the depreciation tables.

LT (light truck) rated tires with an appropriate load rating can be used as trailer tires. Mine are about due for replacement and that is what I will be putting on. They are a bit more expensive than trailer tires, but the quality is better. The main difference between trailer tires and passenger car tires is the sidewall. LT tires have the higher capacity sidewall.

I rode behind it. Great wake for wakeboarding - nice ramp. It is not produced anymore. MasterCraft experimented with a cruiser and a twin engine 28-foot wakeboat as well. None are still in production. The 20-24' boat is the sweet spot for wakeboarders. Smaller and it does not work well. Bigger and it just is to hard to tow and it get too expensive. If you take a look at the MasterCraft website, 8 out of the 9 are for boardsports.

Fine by me in Michigan.

Hour meters are good for comparision to other boats of a similar type and use. I use my boat for wakesurfing mostly (yes, I know this is a slalom forum, but that is what the kids like). My hours are at 2,950 rpms with a big load. That is very different than a slalom boat or any car. A lot of the difference in wear is due to how the engine was originally broken in, the number of oil-starved cold starts, and obviously the maintenance (specifically oil changes).

You have to decide if you are free-skiing or in the slalom course. Beginning in the course, the Theory is excellent. Jumping onto a high performance ski too soon can lead to bad habits. At slower speeds and longer line lengths the extra width really help you develop good body position habits - with proper coaching. You don't have driver's training in a Porsche 911 SC. Take it one step at a time and you will do much better - and faster.

Not much can be done. Adding surface area to the prop helps - a fresh Acme 3-blade keeps the pressure stream down a bit. Other boats have a trim tab over the prop area. If you get a Lenco setup you can adjust it to help a bit. However, these are just tweaks. Most is due to hull shape, shaft depth, shaft angle, prop DFT, and running attitude. Getting the rooster tail under control has been one of the main engineering feats of the last couple decades.