GAJ0004

Your boat has more power than mine, you should not need to use the KX unless you prefer a more agressive firmer pull. I only use it at 30-32 MPH. I will only use it at other speeds if I am heading into a very strong wind, but only if I get a pass that does not keep the course time(it has only happened to me maybe on 3 passes). My course is out in the middle of a 600 acre lake. KX+ or KX++ into the wind, or KXn or - with a strong tail wind. We get all kinds of conditions. If you have whitecaps bigger than 3 inches high, it is safer to drive manually. I have not had to calibrate my baselines again. I wrote down all the baseline RPM and keep them in my owner's manual in case they get erased. I bet with 310 HP you won't need to use KX. 94, 95, and 96 were very good years for Nautiques. It is the best dashboard design. Still my favorite trick wake.

I really like Stargazer. I have tried classic mode on my boat, but stargazer works better for me. To save time and gas calibrating it, calibrate your analog speedo at 36 MPH first. Take a pen an paper out in the boat with you. Drive your boat at each slalom speed 26-36 miles per hour. Write down all the tachometer readings at each speed. When you go into CAL SLalom mode, enter the RPM readings you write down at each respective speed. It should save you a couple of passes through the course since they will be closer to the actual baseline RPM on your boat. When you calibrate it, use multimagnet mode(I have 6 magnets, 3 in each direction, start gate, ball 3, exit gate). Once your baselines are calibrated, switch to single magnet mode when you pull skiers. The only issue I ever had was when pulling big skiers (150-230lbs) at 30-32 MPH it would either be slow or actual in the first segment, and then it would accelerate from ball 3 to exit. I was able to solve the problem by setting the crew weight 50 pounds over the actual crew weight, and set Kx to + or ++ depending on conditions. I normally don't use KX in any other circumstances. The pull of my boat feels just as strong as a new one. I especially like Stargazer for tricks.. Let me know if my tips help. I never had perfect pass until I had stargazer installed in 2008.

Would anybody still want to ski on this machine? 240 HP with Stargazer on board.. 1400 hours, near mint condition. It gives a pretty firm pull.

I went to Andy and Deena's ski school in 1995. Ben Favret was also there at the time. At the time I was struggling to clear 15off at 36 miles per hour. I could get into 32 off at 34 miles per hour, but as soon as I bumped the speed up to 36 I could not clear 15 off consistently. Andy and Ben helped my clean up my entrance gate and gave me some pointers to make it easier to get wider at each ball. I had a good time. I also got a chance to watch both Ben and Andy ski from the boat. Well worth the trip. I am left foot forward, and I would say what they helped me with in the long run was becoming more symmetrical in my turns and pulls on both sides of the course.  I got to meet Bruce and Toni Neville, and Dave Benzel too.  I am still trying to run through 32 off consistently, but occasionally get into 35 off(34 MPH). I have been to several ski schools over the years. I pick up something different from each one. I skied with Mike Hazelwood in 1993, Andy and Deena in 1995, Jack Travers and Bill Peterson in 2000. I have been to a couple of clinics with Andy since then. The last was at Dave's Pond in PA in 2006.

I have skied behind a Nightmare edition Master Craft. The pull(with Zero Off) pretty much felt the same to me as the 350 horse engine. The only difference I noticed was power out of the hole.

I skied at a clinic at Dave's Pond in Edinboro PA this past August. Daniel Kennedy from April Coble's ski school gave a 3 day clinic. I injured my shoulder in July. It healed up enough where I could finish out the summer. I got into 35 off twice this year. Tied my personal best of 2@35 off. He helped me get smoother at 28 off, and clean up my entrance gate at 32off.  One of the Dave's Pond club members was driving the boat. After I ran 4@32off he said I should do tournaments. If my work schedule lets me(I work alternating saturdays)  I may take a shot at it next summer in both slalom and tricks. I am spending the off season getting my left shoulder strong again. Off to the gym for an hour on the elliptical machine, and and hour in the pool depending on what my shoulder does. Ball of spray is good off season therapy... ÂÂ

The 2009 MC 197 feels the same as the 2008. I like it the same for slalom as my 1994 Nautique. I like tricking behind it too. Compared to my 1994 Nautique the trick wake on the MC has a flatter table, but the crests of the wake are a little softer. My boat has a harder wake crest, but a slight dish in the table. For slalom very litter difference in the wakes. The MC has Zero Off, and my boat has Stargazer. When skiing behind Zero Off you have to concentrate on staying smooth, and don't be quite as agressive. If you make a mistake it will bite you. After your first pass you will have no problem finding your groove.

What is the difference in price between the Standard and the Team Package?

If it is early or late in the season I drain the block if I think it will drop below 40 degrees when the boat is not in use. If it starts to drop below 40 degrees, she gets put to bed... My boat will get winterized this Sunday before the Steelers, Browns game. GO Steelers!ÂÂ

I have a Ski Warm Sahara which has worked very well. I keep a bottle of contact cement handy for repairing seams(my suit is old). I wear my swim trunks under it. The key is to smooth out the wrinkles in the suit when you put it on, and when you get in the water open the neck to "burp" it. It will feel like you are vacuum sealed in it. Some skis you may need to put cinch straps on the ankles. I have a pair of cold water gloves that I use with it. I am able to ski from April through October in Pennsylvania. I was out yesterday. Air temp 49, water temp 58. I wear a regular nylon 4 buckle vest over it instead of my neo vest. It is lighter and more comfortable.

I put my drysuit on when the water drops below 70 degrees, otherwise my entire body stiffens up the next day. I am still recovering from a pulled left deltoid muscle since July. Staying warm reduces the chance of injury.

I will be sinking the slalom course for the winter here in PA. Because of work, the absolute latest I will ski will be the weekend of October 24. I will be pulling the docks, lift, and sinking the course until the weather gives us a break in April. I still have 40 gallons of boat gas to burn. Whatever does not get used in the boat will get put in my car, and the lawn mowers, and snowblower. I don't mind the off season anymore. It gives me a chance to be couch potato for a few weeks before hitting the gym again. I need some downtime to let my left shoulder completely heal. This website helps me get through the off season...

I throttle the boat up quickly to the setpoint on perfect pass or Zero Off. On a mechanical version of Perfect Pass you have to be careful not to overshoot the speed by too much. I concentrate on giving my skier a smooth pullout, and I just wait for Zero Off to lock in.

Question for those of you who have seen the new Nautique 200, What do you like better, the closed or open bow? If the price on a new one is $71,000 that is almost triple what my dad and I paid for the 1994 Nautique we have. All of the boat companies are adding too much fluff. I would have a simpler interior with more floor space. If they don't sell any, they will drop the price. I will still keep my 1994 for as long as I am skiing. The manufacturers keep making the boats bigger which is canceling out the benefit of a bigger engine. I prefer driving a closed boat bow through the course.

I got to ski behind a Nightmare Edition Master Craft with Zero Off. They asked me what letter I wanted. I just said to go with the standard of default setting. I started at 15 off and ran the course into 32 off with no problems. I have found over the years, concentrate on skiing as smooth as possible, and whether you have a cruise system on the boat or a manual driver you should have no trouble adapting to either system on the spot. How many times have you been to a different lake and the water felt different under your ski? If you are in a tournament I would start with a pass you can run in your sleep. When I first started going 36 MPH in my younger days I started at 32 miles per hour 15 off to get warmed up. I would run every consecutive pass until I got into 32 off. On a handful of occasions I would get into 35 off. The course on my lake is out in the middle of a lake that is 2 1/2 miles long, and 1/2 mile wide. We get all kinds of conditions good and bad, and many different boats of different vintages. We get headwinds, tailwinds, crosswinds, backwash, and I have even skied in 6 inch whitecaps. After my first pass I can't tell the difference between the two systems. So far I like both systems...

I have dain bramage from too many pace flants while farebooting. /vanillaforum/js/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif I am not crazy, but close...

Thanks guys! I was at a clinic in Edinboro PA with Daniel Kennedy who trains April Coble-Eller. He was very good. He helped me clean up some rough spots at 28 and 32 off. He also gave me some tips on starting a wake 5 front on my trick ski. I will have to wait for my shoulder to completely heal before I try it though..

I have skied behind both PP SG and Zero Off. As long as the speed is steady an consistent I don't care which system I use. I always start at 15 off, and can get into 35 off(2@35 off is my best). I have PPSG on my 1994 Ski Nautique. Friends of mine have a Master Craft with both Zero Off and Stargazer. My boat only has 240 HP, verses my friends Master Craft that has 350. It sounds like most of you guys who post on here are better skiers than me. The pull on my boat feels firmer than on the newer boats. Start at 15 off and work your way back down to the rope. By then you should be able to get the feel for the boat and the system on board, and adjust your technique accordingly. My observation is whether you have someone driving manually for you, or using cruise control you will get a better pull if you concentrate on technique and staying smooth. Don't overthink it. You will go crazy...ÂÂ

I am looking to go to a water ski school for slalom and tricks in November 2010. Any suggestions? I have spent one day with Lucky Lowe in 1991, 1 week with Mike Hazelwood in 1993, 1 week with Andy and Deena Mapple in 1995, 2 days with Jack Travers and 3 days with Bill Peterson in 2000. I try to hit a different one each time. I pick up something different at each one. Does Mike Suyderhoud still have his place in CA?

By the end of October I am ready for the offseason. I am pretty shot after sinking the slalom course for the winter, pulling the docks and lift out, and winterizing and detailing the boat. I like to give the body a rest, watch some STEELERS football, catch up on my movie watching, get back in the gym, work extra hours at work( I make most of my money that time of year), detail and get the boat ready for next season. The off season goes by so fast because of everything I have to get done. November through April go by pretty quick. One thing that helps is going to the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Boat Shows, Cleveland Auto show. I do all the stuff that I don't have time to do during the summer. I hope to go to ski school for slalom and tricks in November 2010.

I was helping out a new slalom skier over the weekend. He just learned to get up on the slalom ski from a pair of combos last year. He has upgraded to an O'Brien World Team slalom. He was struggling to get up on his new ski.  I have taught lots of beginners over the years. The thing that hinders everyone doing a deepwater start is trying to stand up too early. If you are adjusting to a double boot, remember to roll your body into a ball. Stay in the tucked position, knees up to your chest, and keep your wrists around your ankles just like you always do when you start. I have found the key is don't try to stand until you feel the ski start to push you up. It will save you a ton of pulled, muscles, and frustration.

I have last year's version of Stargazer. I have a mechanical version on a 1994 Ski Nautique with a carbureted 351 Ford (240 HP). I have not had any major issues. I used 3 magnets to calibrate the baselines, and I switched it to single magnet mode for skiing. The first couple of times I used it, I would get a good ball 3 time, and it would accelerate after that. It only happened when I was pulling a skier who was close to 200 lbs or more at 30-32 MPH. The way I was able to correct it was make sure the correct crew weight is entered, give a longer runway coming into the course to allow it to lock in, and when throttling up to speed keep an eye on the tach to lock in as close to your baseline RPM so the system does not have to search for it. If I am pulling a bigger skier I punch it for the first two seconds and then back off as close as I can to the baseline rpm. I used to set Kx to ++ for pulling by brother who is almost 250 lbs. If you overshoot the baseline for the speed you set it will have to search for it to lock in. It will speed up and slow down until it locks in which happened the first couple of times I used it. I get more accurate times in the GPS single magnet mode. Most of the time it is off actual by only + or - .03 seconds at most pulling someone who is over 200 lbs at 30-32 MPH the times are off by a little more, but always within the quarter MPH tolerance. Hope this helps. I have not tried pulling anyone in classic mode.

I think Zero Off connects to commercial GPS. The only thing the government does is put them up there. Since I have the 2008 version of Stargazer on my boat, I can switch back to PP classic just by going through the menus. I would be more worried about big brother using GPS to tax our mileage(cars) or use it to measure our carbon footprint from boat usage. If they ever start doing that I will disconnect my GPS antenna and use PP in classic mode.

I have a 1994 Ski Nautique with the carbureted 351 Ford(240 HP 1:1 tranny). I had PP Stargazer installed on it last year. It works great for my purposes. I used multimagnet mode to set up the baselines.  I use single magnet mode for skiing, and it works just like they say it does. I get times on actual or within a few hundredths every time. If I am pulling a bigger(180-225 lbs) skier through the course at 30-32 miles per hour I have to set Kx to ++ to keep it from running away from ball 3-6. It would be nice to get a new boat every couple of years, but it is not necessary. I have skied behind boats with Zero Off. I can't tell the difference.  If would be nice to have a newer boat, but it is much easier to make a boat last. Keep it mechanically maintained, detailed, and keep on a lift during the season it will last for decades. If the newer boats are so much better than older ones, practicing behind an older one should give you an edge in a tournament(theoretically). With the cost of a new one, I would replace my engine before I would buy a new one. I wonder what a PCM EX 343 would be like under the hatch in my boat.  The crew that I ski with each have 2008 MC 197's. One is a Tournament Team Edition. I like mine a little better for tricks, but does not make a bit of difference in the slalom course. It is nice not having a payment. More money for other toys..

I noticed the trend in the boats getting more fluff on them since the late 90's through the early 2000's. 10 or 20 years ago most people who bought a Master Craft, Malibu, or Nautique or similar boat bought them because they were serious skiers. Now I see people buying them as a status symbol. On my lake there are tons of inboard ski boats, which sit on the lift most of the time, or just pull kids on tubes on a Sunday afternoon. Being a hardcore slalom skier, barefooter, trick skier, and keeboarder I don't like the open bows or towers. Every dealer I talk to says they can't sell a closed bow boat, so they always order them with all the extras. I will ski on any boat that was AWSA approved at the time of its manufacture. Skiing the course behind a 2008 Master Craft, or my 1994 Ski Nautique with Stargazer all feels the same. If I were buying a new boat I would order the base model, pick my colors, pick the 350 HP engine, get the closed bow, get the regular single axle trailer(Master Craft for an MC, or Ram-Lin for a Nautique). I bet if you ordered a closed bow boat with the options for hard core skiing only you could probably keep the price down. I would get a teak platform. I am not sold on the fiberglass platform. I have never seen one after it has 1000 hours on it. The boat companies are trying to make more money. They cannot survive staying in our little niche market which is why they add all the fluff.