RS

My homemade gizmo looks like that without the DFT extension.  Of course, mine isn't as pretty as I cut the wing hole in the AL with a hacksaw.  I don't clamp mine down since I tend to adjust the fin settings while the tool is laying loosely on the fin.

We are getting blown out today. I'm bummed because I wanted to jump on the C today and prove Horton wrong! Shane, I'll keep that in mind about the schnotz fin.  I still have one laying around.  I've tried it on just about every ski I've owned and I it always seemed to be a trade off in benefits. ÂÂ

I won't be able to compare it directly to the Senate but I can at least give you how it skis and how close I get to my PB (3/-35/34) on regular sticks.  ÂÂ

I'm looking forward to trying out the Senate C on Thursday.  ÂÂ

All this talk about the Senate C has me thinking I need to try one of these too.   I'd like something easier on the body and I'm only skiing the course about once a week right now. ÂÂ

Thanks Scot, I'm currently in the middle of testing a bunch of different skis to see if there is something that I can't live without.ÂÂ

That's a lot of cup to be running on a tow boat.ÂÂ

Hey Mike55, I'm thinking I bought a Connelly F1 from you a few years ago.  I still ski that bad boy.  I'm getting old now and have been looking for something that doesn't require such hurculin effort.  It's a great ski, super stable and turns 90 no problem and takes me into 35 occasionally but lately it's just wearing me out. Got any more cast offs that I should try?

Thanks. I'll do that.ÂÂ

Very Cool!  Too bad I was so late getting my ski dusted off this year.  I was trying to figure out the handicapping. I know we usually have to have the most points off our individual personal bests to win in our little fun tourneys. ÂÂ

Scot- what is it that you are not liking about the SG?  That was actually my thought while I was trying to figure out SG and not liking it, is that I would buy a switch and just dial in the PP classic. I skied classic without the switch and it really wanted to run on me at the buoy.   I noticed that if I really load up off the ball SG will run on me at the next ball but finally get dialed down. If I don't have to scrap a buoy SG is dreamy smooth all the way down.   I personally have only skied 8 sets on it and pulled about that many skiers as driver so far. ÂÂ

We pull up as we are going into the back of the island.  What has been working for us is to limit the rpms to 2900 around the back side and when you come out from the island-DONT TOUCH THE THROTTLE.  The rpms go up to about 3300 as the boat planes out and the system beeps on the way by the rpm setpoint. By the 55m it's settled in which is fine for me as that is where I pull out.  I still have drivers goof it up though. Shane, I'm guessing you are on the mechanical throttle too? One of the boats has the DBW with SG and it's not anywhere near as sensative to over throttling. It beeps and just cuts the rpms pdq.

Either new or used but in good shape. Prefer blank, no bindings.   I love the F1 but I'm thinking I need to try something new.

I set up the mech SG version in my 99 malibu recently.  The open water calibration is fine if you are just going to free ski. My initial calibration was Capture mode.   If you are skiing a course regularly it's more accurate if you calibrate it with the timer function through the course.     I found that it is very sensitive to 2 things if you want a perfect pull.  1) crew weight 2) driver ability to pull up and not over throttle around the turn island (short set up, mech version).   You can drive around the island without disengaging but our turn area is so tight we pull back for the island anyway so the system functions fine just like normal PP.  I really like the lightweight adjustment as it really smooths out the entrance to the gates. I weigh 160lb and I started out using normal but tried the L and it's much more even and I get a better gate without having to adapt to the speed change on N.  I really like feel the SG pull. This replaced my old Accuski which was my favorite from the handle end of the boats we have at the club. ÂÂ

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I may hit our public lake for some free skiing first so my ego doesn't take a beating first day back on the course. :-)

Well, right now it's snowing here, not far from Broho.   I'm looking forward to both snow and water skiing during March. ÂÂ

 It's nice to see someone still skiing this time of year up here.   I remember a few years ago when my buddy and I would ski year round at Ski Park. One winter we skied through the thin ice on the back side of the turn islands.  The dock was the most dangerous as it was super slippery smooth. That ice chest filled with warm water felt great on the feet though.

If you are going to go to a Connelly I can personally vouch for awesome customer service that went above and beyond the stated warranty. No worries about breaking them either. My F1 is in great shape but my buddy's is beat to heck.  He has had a bunch of handle pops and assorted other accidents and the ski keeps on going.

Mine are virtually maintenance free other than I did have to replace the old style plastic plate as it did crack 2 years ago. I don't think the newer plates will crack as they are reinforced and a different material.  They say to replace the liners after a couple years but mine are the originals from 03, they are looking a little worn but they still work great. I didn't do anything to my system the last two seasons. Previous to that I had the plate break but really once you get them set up they are good to go. The boots are bullet proof. Heavy yes, but extremly durable. You have to like to tinker a little bit as it's not quite as easy as screwing 10 screws on the ski and you're ready to go but it isn't all that difficult either.   One of my original mounting plates looks like Swiss cheese as I have used it on so many different brands of skis. Now with the FMX plate you don't have to mess with that.  I took some time getting the degree of free rear boot rotation just right. I found that little bit of rotation alleviated all of my knee pain from skiing. When I tighten it down so it won't move my knee tells me about it after 1 or 2 sets and it didn't matter whether the boot was mounted straight or angled.ÂÂ

+1 I've been on FM since the 03 when he started with single plate skate boots (those weren't all that great).  The liners make them super comfortable and I've never had a wreck where the bindings didn't release when they should have. I also have never had a pre release but I run mine a little tighter settings than spec.  These particular boots have been in use for 5 seasons and they are still in great shape.  Once you get these figured out in terms of your own personal settings they rock.ÂÂ

Hmm... I love my 07 F1 but now you guys got me thinking I need to try the Prophecy. My F1 numbers that have always worked for me on a 67 is 2.515, 6.835, .78 and 29 1/8th. I'm amazed that ~6.740 by tips works on the prophecy. I guess I need to try it. Our water is 50 degrees right now.ÂÂ

LOL...good point.

Brent- 07 F1-

I'd be in trouble in Sweden.   My 6 yo son gets goofy around gorgious blonds...I know where he got it.

My turns are both pretty good now and I'd give the nod to my offside (toe side, formerly bad side, LLF) since going to a different ski.  My offside is just killer and I can now actually make up time at 4 ball which used to be the death of me.