Chad_Scott

100% agree with everything @bishop8950 has stayed. These guys know when something is off. As a driver they can usually tell you where you have the boat at each buoy and what the driver did. They know what it is supposed to feel like. And if they had questions why shouldn’t others.

This is a site to keep up with what is going on. Everyone is jumping on @horton for reporting what he had heard. I am pretty sure @horton is not the only person in the ski community to hear that the skiers were commenting on how the passes felt to them. Most of these guys know what a normal 41 off feels like. Horton was only reporting that a few of the guys had reported that the 41s seemed easier than they are used to. Horton wasn’t in Spain only reporting the information he had received. Isn’t that exactly why most of us look at this site. For information regarding what is going on when we can’t be there. Was Horton not supposed to report the rumblings he was hearing.

T-Gas has one in Orlando

I mean come on guys are we really talking about this. Look Greg is a great skier and has come on this year pretty consistent in the big dawg. He’s a hell of a competitor but this Sure does not look like any of the 41 offs I have seen or driven. Something happened somewhere I have driven quite a few of them and I can assure you the skier has to be much further up on the boat. Nate who runs the pass almost daily is turning the buoy perpendicular to the pylon. I can almost see him in my peripheral vision while driving. This reminds me Of the skiing by coordinates frenzy.

Class C back to back 41’s? Is there any end course video?

I’m with @BoneHead These air voids are not a big deal. The happen. Lots of sharp edges on these boats. It’s not like the factory sent it out knowing it had a void. They are more common than most of you know. Not expensive repairs most of the time. Surely not something the dealer will discount $5000 worth. My most expensive was about 5 inches long and cost $750 to repair (under warranty) by a local gel coat guy.

Voids in gelcoat are pretty common on sharp lines of a hull. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. If they are doing the repair they will likely check the other edges for additional voids People often have voids and never know it or think they hit something. I have had voids before and repaired by a good gel coat guy. No other problems afterwards

There’s always a runoff for first place

Here’s my .02 cents. It’s a new boat which will take drivers and skiers time to learn and adjust to. There are several drivers that are comfortable in the 200 which requires very little input from the driver. Some drivers are not as comfortable in a boat that moves and requires driver input, those drivers will struggle in the beginning. I have had the opportunity to drive the boat since it was released to the team skiers . I probably have as much seat time in it as anyone other than the ski schools. It will take some getting used to as it is not a 200. I drove the new boat at lake 38 and was not overly pleased with the way I performed in it although the scores were decent. I as well need more seat time and need to watch the end course to see how I can be a better in the boat. On the other hand I have skied behind the boat plenty with Nate driving and run a bunch of 39’s with no problem. Obviously scores were very low and not consistent with scores usually produced at Cedar Ridge. Bottom line is that it will take sometime for everyone (skiers/drivers) to get comfortable

Worthy of 2 threads @Horton

Veterans park lagoon was still frozen when we began discussions about the event. The real issue is that they do not have a plan to address the algae issue. My guess is that the lake has had this algae since our first event. Just happens last year the college texted the lake as a project. They consulted the EPA with the findings. And that was all she wrote. The lagoon gets runoff water from all around the area The nutrients continue to feed the algae. I agree and don’t know how they can still allow the paddle boat but I am not in charge. Trophy lakes is a great venue and would be a great place to make the home of the Malibu Open. So all those that wish to see it stay at trophy lakes and can get to the event. Bring your butts to the lake. Sponsors want to see people they do not want to put up money for a tournament that does not bring asses to the shores. So show up. Bring your families and make a weekend of it. Charleston is a great town. The Midwest always showed up and supported the event even when the weather was bad. Milwaukee is a great place. We actually had planned on trying to have two separate events this year with one of them already planned at Trophy Lakes. So we are always looking for great places to showcase these skiers. But again people have to show up to keep sponsors interested.

Yes!!!

Very thankful that Trophy Lakes has welcomed us back. There’s a great crew with Adam and Kim Bryant. Looking forward to building on last years success.

The event is returning to Trophy Lakes and looking forward to this years event. The county parks in Milwaukee has refused to issue a permit due to the lack of a plan to address the issue with regards to the algae. Veterans park is a great venue and we hope to have an opportunity to return. However at this point it is in the hands of the county to address the issue in the lagoon

Done!!! Great Cause which effects many.

@jah81592 there is no 5.7 option in the US on the 2017 TXI only a 6 L

Chet Raley. Palm Beach Training Center. Great conditions great skiing and great coaching Not to mention warm air and water

@MS I will send you a Malibu banner so you represent all three

@JeffSurdej Thanks that would be good to know. How all of the companies are doing with supporting events where all boats are welcome. Pretty much minus most of the state of Florida. I think those numbers will be much closer in percentages.

@JeffSurdej Do you have those numbers in percentages without the closed tournaments included. The percentage of events pulled by each manufacturer in events which are open to all tow boats.

@"Eric Kelley" What is the reward for them at the end of the day from a business standpoint. I don’t agree or disagree with any of you. What’s the point of doing this? How will this advance membership or add people to the dwindling numbers. What is the end goal in keeping up with it one way or the other.

@BobH Certainly no harm in that. But the tone of this conversation is not what is decribed by you. There is certainly merit to your thoughts. I only say that we as an organization do not need to do anything that shows a lack of appreciation for the programs in any form. With all of the other more important issues facing this organization, I just think this is wasted energy, which serves no purpose. Like worrying about a cut on your foot when you have cancer. I am fortunate to be involved in some of the conversations at the corporate level. Most of these companies have now gone public. Bean counters want to know what are we getting for the money we are spending. Plain and simple. As I know there are manufacturers reps that pay attention to these forums. I just urge that we tread lightly on a path that negatively effects those still willing to support. I think the more boat companies involved in the promo program the better for all of us and better for the industry.

@"Eric Kelley" At the end of the day does it really matter one way or the other if the manufacturers get credit or not? Don’t we need all three manufacturers to pull Nationals as it is. Last year with 4 manufacturers I believe we had required 4 boats from each manufacturer at nationals. I am of the opinion that we (AWSA) need to keep the big 3 involved in supporting us. I know that it is a yearly discussion with the manufacturers. Proof from the route Correct Craft has taken this year. I am just of the opinion that we have much bigger problems to address other than whether a manufacturer gets credit. We are now also tasking USA Waterski to create another program to document the difference between a promo and personal boat. They don’t even have a programmer to address this level 10 mandate. New requirements/ additional rules is not a productive way to keep this sport going. Time to simplify things. Time to worry about spending all this type of energy to introduce people to waterskiing. Add numbers to our group and we will certainly add demand for boats, skis, vest, ropes and handles. Are we really looking to tell Malibu, Mastercraft or Correct Craft that one of these companies they did not qualify to pull nationals either way.

In my opinion there is a lot more out there of concern regarding the slow death of this sport other than worrying about whether a manufacturer gets credit for pulling a tournament with a promo versus personal boat. I know most of you guys think the three event market carries some huge value to Correct Craft, Mastercraft and Malibu which it does not. These boats represent around 5% of their production and the least amount of profit. Which is why a lot of dealers don’t even stock a 3 event boat In the three event world wholesale is considered retail versus the wakeboard wakesurf industry. Those people want the biggest baddest boat with all the options and more. While we want as little on the boat as possible for as little money as possible. I don’t think it is a good idea to put any additional pressure on these companies who still provide promo programs in any form. Honestly they don’t get a bunch of return for what they spend. Selling a boat at dealer cost to a promo person and then giving credit for events. In reality not a bunch of return for them On top of a significant donation to USA waterski for the tow boat to be approved. And let’s face it. If they decide not to build tournament boats. Do you think any of the big three will go out of business. All of us that do still love waterskiing should be thankful that the big three continue to maintain a promo program and spend the money it cost them to support USA Waterski or whatever we are called now. It’s certainly not a good thing when a company like centurion or supreme elect to no longer produce a three event boat. Hopefully not a sign of things to come. What we certainly can’t afford is these manufacturers deciding to pull out of this part of the industry.

@dbutcher I’m pretty sure your speculation makes good sense and it probably spot on