baja

Instead of combos, I have taught a lot of teens to ski by starting with a wakeboard and by the time they have decent body position on their toe-side lean, I can get them up easily on a single ski using an HO Comp Freeride 67". It's wide, stable, turns great and it'll be useful beyond their first time. I've had one as my guest ski for years. Usually have them skiing by the second day.

I'm on a Senate C and start at 28 mph and run into mid 34 mph at 15 off. You'll have no problem at 28 mph on a Senate. A Triumph will work great too.

I used a CTI brace for a long time and I always used the neoprene sleeve that kept the water force from loosening the straps.

@escmanaze, I skied behind the SNOB again a few days ago on Monday.. Matched my PB unless you're supposed to still have the handle when you round 3 ball...so i guess that's one ball behind PB with a 2@34mph -15 off. I'm skiing about where you are at 28-30-32 mph. Definitely bring your stick to give it a go. It's on a fantastic lake.

Unless you kill or maim someone deliberately or are grossly negligent in your actions, it is very unlikely that your primary boat insurance coverage would ever be exceeded. Your umbrella policy will, by definition be the last line of defense to protect your assets when something horrible has happened to someone and it is determined that you are at least partially responsible. I pay my umbrella policy each year with the full knowledge that they will probably never have to pay a dime. The more you read it, the less you will like it.

+1 on wrapping the kill switch cord around the plug PLUS then stick the T handle of the plug in the crevasse of the seat. When you sit down you'll be "gently reminded" to put the plug where it goes. That's one mistake you will only make once.

+1 on TAKE IT OUT AND TEST IT... It's a great boat if all is in good shape. I have over 1200 hours on my 94 205 that I bought new. I still ski with it about once a month at my vacation lake house. I also have almost 500 hours on my 2007 Malibu RLXI that is at my Bako membership lake. So 550 hours on an 18 year old boat could mean that it's sat for the last 10 years... A boat will last if it gets some exercise and is run frequently. Sitting on the couch will make everything shrivel up, dry out, and leak when you need it. Not good for boats either.

Free skiing is fun, family oriented, great exercise. So is course skiing if your whole family is into it. Free skiing is not like golfing without holes, it's more like golfing in a scramble or casual game. Good companions, some beer and laughs, and a nice day outside in the sun.

Wiley's will cut the front binding to have an open toe by request. Make sure your toenail is trimmed short so it can't touch the front of the binding. If the toenail is getting pushed back towards the toe it will bruise under the nail at the base and if aggravated you will lose the nail.

@escmanaze you should contact him directly thru ski it again

My Bakersfield ski buddy's 97 SNOB is for sale on Ski It Again, SIA19616. He will be picking up a Malibu TXI promo boat from SLC, Utah in a few weeks. I'll bet he could deliver the SNOB to you. I've skied behind it a bunch and it's got a sweet wake, is in great shape, drives like its on rails and starts every time. Has stargazer with the Z-Box already. Offered at $13,490...Nuff said. Check it out

Get cheap 8 inch digital calipers from Harbor Freight for about $30, at least you'll know what the actual settings are and can set it to stock. Cheap tool is better than none, that said I've got the Slot Caliper and it's awesome. I borrowed a 67 senate from a promo driver buddy and the fin was way different from factory in all 3 measures. Set it bone stock and it felt very similar to my senate C. Measure the binding placement and get it to stock. At least then the ski is set up as designed. Try it again, and only move binding back if you're still stuffing the tip all the time. I would also take the wing off unless you're at 32 off instead of 32mph. With halfway decent body position you should not be going OTF on that ski. Drive your knees forward, and relax your arms through both wakes.

Mastercraft Prostar 205 from 1993-5. Great slalom wakes. Had my 1994 since new, 1200+ hours. I'll be skiing behind it this weekend. Forget the TriStar. A failed experiment that gave birth to the 205.

Hurley Phantoms are stretchy as well and don't scoop any water on pull up which is my big requirement like Wish. I've got 4 pair. Dry fast too.

Plus 1 for agreeing with MS. For a few seasons since I've had the slot caliper (easy and repeatable) I did the cold water tweak around November (Bako). Skipped it this last winter and skied better all winter probably due to better technique on my part. Verify settings all stock once a month... Never moved.

I bought four 35 pound rubber coated free weight plates to balance out my 2007 RLXi since I usually ski midweek with just 1 ski partner. One goes on the floor in the open bow and the other three go under the observer seat close to the outside. I tied a loop of 1 inch nylon strap thru each one to make them easy to pick up and remove from under the seat when we have a real observer. I never remove the one on the floor in the walkthru. They balance the wake nicely, don't leave rust stains on carpet, are out of the way, but still easy to remove when not needed. If you leave them in with 1 observer, it's just like tournament conditions with 3 in the boat.

@usaski1, sorry you had trouble with your opener but that might be related to the driver who submarined your Sea Ray jet boat in your story above. @6balls, you got that right!

In early 1994 a buddy and I started thinking about partnering on a used boat for about $3k. Withing a month we had justified multiple upgrades and were looking at new Mastercrafts. A new baby caused my buddy to drop out of the deal and my wife and I along with our 2 young daughters took delivery of a new 94 MC 205 from California Skier. Our salesman was a very cool guy who is otherwise known on BOS as The Ghost Skier. Still have the 205 with 1195 hours as of last Sunday. Lots of great times.

Plus 1 on sending to O'Neill. They will make it like new for a surprisingly reasonable price like 20-40 bucks since they seem to view customer satisfaction as something important... Go figure. Fixed a wrist seal in my 5 year old Boost for 20 including return shipping. Does take 4-6 weeks for turnaround but hopefully you are near the end of your drysuit season

5 minutes every month with Pledge furniture spray keeps everything slick and spot free. May not be the best compared to pro wax job, but it's fast and easy to add to the boat wipe down routine.

No problem with IPad.

Plus 2 on the Tempur-Pedic. My wife and I. 9 years on one and it's still a great nights sleep. Completely isolates the movement of each person. Use a light down duvet and you will sleep like a rock and feel great in the morning.

@glock, I can vouch for Greg Hayes' 1997 SNOB, ski it again # 18221 you are considering. It has a great wake, runs and drives perfect and it already has the Z-Box upgraded PP Stargazer. Unless you run an open bow on big water or heavy boat traffic then no worries. I've had a 94 MC 205 since new and raised 2 daughters in the open bow. Also a 07 Bu RLXi. Drive an open bow like you have people you want to protect (your kids) instead of people you want to impress (drinking buddies) and you will rarely have problems.

Jedgell, I remember hearing about some reality show "actress" who stated that while growing up in Idaho her family would cross the border into Canada for health care. I can't remember what show she was on but I think she's back in Wasilla, Alaska keeping a watchful eye on Russia. And I agree this site should not get political.

Jedgell, I remember hearing about some reality show "actress" who stated that while growing up in Idaho her family would cross the border into Canada for health care. I can't remember what show she was on but I think she's back in Wasilla, Alaska keeping a watchful eye on Russia. And I agree this site should not get political.