Gloersen

motivated by @Than_Bogan - adding .02 cents to the blog. switched from an R-style to Radar ARTP Sunday for what we all seek; more buoys, but fundamentally to get the COM more forward. It's going to take a lot of work. Tried so two years ago from a rear Wiley to HO floating RTP; no success. This transition has been more favorable; the R-style had been cut-down a bit in the back and the Radar ARTP is very snug if the foot is placed all the way forward and then laced quite snug, so the feel not too dissimilar. Can't leave it at this laced "setting" and "kick-in" though, it has to be re-tightened each time on the platform and a two feet-in start; feels like an easy two feet in trick ski start. No changes to FB position or fin. Set 1 was awkward but ran a few passes at the end. Set 2 rotated the ARTP a tad due to the heel always falling off the foot pad to the left, but will go back to straight. Started to feel more secure at end of set 2. By set 4 it felt that "standing tall" in the glide and into each apex was more easily achieved as well as more critical. Notable differences(+/-): - better glide - seemed to carry off the 2nd wake with less effort - much quicker turns, especially heelside - coming up through the wakes (notably heelside cut - could be magnified by RTP rotation and toes to right of center) - less tolerant of moving fore/aft on the ski - lack of a secure foot feeling Time will tell if it aids improvement, its worth sticking with it for a few weeks, but if the different feel doesn't lead to focusing on fixing the myriad of fundamental flaws (substantiated by video); probably won't lead to more buoys.

Drills

@OldboyII - this is similar and will direct mount. The upward deflection of the toes and ball of the foot will feel odd at first. HO Chop Top RB

@BRY - concur. The fact that a skier gets through the exit gates, then pops the handle ("explodes"), disqualifies the skier from entering the next pass. (the 4th component to a preceding successful pass = qualifying traverse of the exit gates; "If the contestant has not missed any buoys or gates, the boat shall turn and enter the course from the opposite end."). Therefore a score of 6NC (regardless of crossing the exit gates in an unqualifying manner) is not a "complete" pass and ineligible for the opt up score; in the scenario presented - score = 6@11.25m

@Dirt what kind of #'s have you ended up with? 6.805/.805-.825/2.515/8 here on a 66"

Fascinating... same experience here 3 years ago with RTP; very tail heavy but I think it was a protective, reactive stance to keep the rear foot in place. A few super scary pre-turn offside OTF's (RTP I used was an HO floating type; very insecure) and I abandoned the idea and currently use a cut-down R-style. After the next tournament going to try Radar's lace type RTP; it feels much more secure. I assume @Than_Bogan you are seeking to be more balanced over the front foot and thus the RTP challenge is alluring?

@lcgordon more visuals

2nd what @skibug and @A_B stated, however you have to set yourself up early in the pull off the prior buoy to do so. If early into the next buoy with good velocity you can practice technique vehemently, if late you'll do whatever you have to do with that outside arm. The objective; level shoulders at apex, then outside hip to inside hand, stacked, ready to go.

Reflex may state a setting less than 3.5 is undesirable, but @Horton is quite right. One needs to become very familiar with the Reflex "feel" and the way it functions and then set the release accordingly. It is prudent not using Reflex if one cannot get comfortable with this concept. Very slight differences in the position of the release hinge, shell shape, spring tension, etc., make huge differences in the release force. I set the two front buckles very consistently snug and dry land release before the brake strap becomes fully taught, and although the numerical setting is "~3", have yet to pre-release. I do release easily with too much tip, but appreciate the no Achilles stress after having blown it out in 2013. The brake strap will engage prior to over-flexion of the ankle too, so I do feel it protects the Achilles (@Than_Bogan) in this regard, again assuming the tension to release is not too high. Don't just bolt on a Reflex binding to your ski until you become very familiar with how it functions,

If your are LFF, then a CC of my AT tear in '13. Had switched from black cuff (tongue brake) to white cuff (strap brake) but did not dry land test the release. Hit 6B; back foot out of Wiley, but no release up front, blew out AT. Still in a Reflex with brake strap but dry land (platform) test the release once/2 weeks. The numerical setting is a 3; I haven't pre-released, but do come out very easily with minor tip stuffs out of the offside (my preference).The # setting is irrelevant imo, just set it to feel right. Be diligent with your rehab.

it is a slot cut-out for the stock plastic buckle strap (replaced with aluminum buckles seen)

@Horton - concur. There are moments when it makes sense but too many delays in update capture to be of real use. However some OBD2 data (coming soon - RPM/ZO speed vs skier) with real time overlay will be accurate and perhaps of some self-coaching benefit.

@chriss55 - 34mph skier and I had been riding the 67.5" T2 (also 6.0, 6.1; both loaned to other skiers and not likely to ever get my hands back on them). The T2 is great with regard to smooth acceleration and creating space into the wakes; very early and wide into next buoy. However, at least under this ski hack's feet, the T3 is even better at smooth acceleration; getting wide, early space, but does a much better job transitioning through the edge change. It feels as though it rolls out and away on the decelerating edge off the second spray allowing the finish of the turn off the backside better than other skis I've ridden. (metrics in the vid are not accurate at all times) (66" - .825/6.804-tips/2.515/8; 29.25"/12" spread)

Last Saturday at Victory we were fortunate to have great weather and skiing conditions, great boats, great drivers, good food, and some motivating performances. Some good scores were put up, along with several TB’s! All behind the ’16 SN 200 with a 5.3 DL and the new (R2) Zero Off single antenna system; the system is dialed in well, no complaints! Could have just been the excellent driver though, kudos to Roger Clark; a lot of expert pulls during a long turn & burn segment. The contingent from Okeeheelee and Orlando made for a convivial and quality tournament atmosphere; thanks to all those who participated.

incredible driving skills indeed, especially considering the unseen passenger; you're quite fortunate! @tap

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@sunnydaysmn - The 6.1 is a great ski, the T3 however (beneath my feet) is better. I’m a solid 32off but inconsistent 35 off skier but totally confident this T3 will get me through 12m consistently this season. Everyone has subtleties as skiers that make some ski models preferable; the T3 just works well for me. It’s very stable, turns better than the 6.1 on both sides, rolls on a high edge out of the turn, accelerates smoothly upon hook-up, and just builds angle through the pull. The space and width in front of the buoy is crazy good; so yes, it’s fast but with ample stability and control. The most notable quality is a bunch of sets on it since the beginning of April and not feeling all beat up yet. The tail sidewalls/bevels, shape (from what I understand) are quite novel compared to prior AM skis, the torque slot narrowed a bit, etc. Kris LaPoint is clearly a master at designing and refining skis, not to mention his diligence and passion to continue to make a better ski. Along with his R&D team I’m sure the T-series skis brought to us by Andy will evolve into something even better (if that’s possible)! The best advice is to find a way to O-town and ride one at LaPoint Ski Park.

@skierjp - at the back of the shell just under the release mounting block as with a conventional Reflex boot.

@Fehlindra - just thought since holes are in the fin, should place holes in the shell; it's a slot shell. In case you weren't kidding, its to soften it a tad,the horseshoe cup was trimmed down laterally as well; trying to dampen the effect on roll just a bit.

Sounds like the t-stat is sticky or not fully opening at operating temp. Pretty sure under plane the raw water pickup permits the pump to generate more pressure and thereby force water past the sticking t-stat, which revving under idle may not. The heater core will run cool if the t-stat is closed or partially open. Assuming t-stat not replaced yet.

Glad to see the BoS banner ad leading to the re-vamped MappleSkis website. T3 is really an amazingly good performing ski!

C'mon, you guys >50 can't flex your ankle(s) (or front knee) like this???

ditto what @rpg stated. Ohm check sending unit before replacing. It may not be worth pursuing. Save $ for more pertinent repairs. Although the gauge is functional (from time to time) on my '03 I just pull back the carpeted panels hiding the tank and can view the gas level through the white polyethylene tank.

There should be no pressure exerted on the shell's heel from the rear of the horseshoe cup. While there may be some pressure exerted from the toe bars necessitating pushing the heel down; that's by design; however there should be no aft impediment from the cup itself. The cup serves to secure the heel from lateral movement as well as provide a tad heel lift such that the front of the shell places the ball of the foot firmly against the plate (ski). If the cup is interfering with the heel going down into its recess I'd question the setup with regard to the toe bar position, Silvretta release, the whole gamut. Any fore-aft pressure (impediment) exerted by the cup can interfere with the predictability and release of the Silvretta clamp. Having ripped an Achilles from set-up error; thus the advocacy for diligent Reflex setup. Also if there is any kind of resistance from the cup when clamping down the shell you're likely to fracture the cup. Should be visible clearance; pic is without clamp locked in and heel all the way down into cup.