east tx skier

@Wish and @AB, you all mentioned a used boat checklist. This is something several of us on the MC forum put together several years ago. I have used it in going over a couple of boats, including my current boat. It has proven pretty helpful. tylerskiclub.com/usedboat.html

I have heard the Tommy Nation (Teakworld) approach was to mix 75% linseed oil and 25% mineral spirits. Perhaps teak oil is little more than linseed oil? Tried the Watco years ago. It was too dark for my preference, but it works.

The regular old Starbrite teak "oil" is (or has) a sealant. I prefer the oil without the sealant. The times I used the sealant, the platform felt a little slick when wet. The product you used might yield different results. My boat looks good enough with one treatment per season. But it is garaged when not in use, which helps tremendously.

I'm told old tires stacked and spaced appropriately work well, too. I have always moored the boat while we did this kind of work instead of dry docking.

Bellwood Lake Course, Tyler TX

If mine goes down, I'll consider repowering. After that sticker shock, I'll go back and find a NOS ECM somewhere. I'll feel better about it when I compare the cost of the ECM to a repower. Hoping that once the NOS disappears, we'll get someone producing/programming new ones again, either PCM or by license (or better, aftermarket tuner that cracks it).

@AB, I remember your pulling your hair out over this. Glad to see you finally got it sorted. I have heard it said that 90% of issues with the GT-40 are fuel delivery related. So, in your case, you listened for the fuel pump to come on when you turned the key on, and you would hear it? But the ECM was dying a a slow death and would cause both pumps to conk out at random?

I spent years looking for this one. A year later, I found another one. They are both yellow. A little history on these things. There are 3 variations of what we commonly call "zip sleds." The original "Admiral" and "Captain" Zip Sleds were produced by Union Carbide in the 60s and maybe the 70s. They were blue, had no molded handles, and had drain holes in cutouts ("aquaplanes") on the bottom. They ceased being produced some time in the 70s (presumably sued out of existence). My father in law has one (Admiral). We sourced two more last fall. We sold one for about $300 (in two days) and gave the other to my brother in law for his kids. This is my father in law's Admiral Zip Sled. Pictured in my post above is a "Bob Sked." These were made in the 70s by Puritan Mills, Inc. They came in Orange and Yellow. Some of the orange ones had a little less hood or bonnet on the front. They were intended to be used on snow and water. Also sued out of existence (presumably) in the late 70s or early 80s. When I was searching for these several years ago, I recalled Schliterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas, having a ride where you rode orange Bob Skeds down a water slide. I contacted them and they confirmed that they had hundreds of them, all of which were "destroyed" when the ride was retooled. That made me pretty sad. There is another variation that I grew up getting to use (probably have some pictures somewhere). It almost looks like a pair of skis with a center section between them (think of an H with a fat middle section). It is yellow molded plastic and has a rope handle. I have yet to see another one. It was a lot of fun to ride. I have heard people talk about riding a "Ski Bob." Not sure if that's what this was. There are lots of things with "Ski Bob" printed on them these days.

After fiddling with mine for the last couple of years, it finally went belly up on me this month, and I had to bypass it. Will need to order another one soon I suppose. Rod, if you eliminate the lanyard as an issue and your boat continues to run fine and just quits, but starts up later with no issues, but soon quits again, you might also check the antisiphon valve. They can collect varnish and stick. Also, check the small hose inside the FCC to be sure it hasn't torn.

Pretty interesting, but that wouldn't replace the zip sled/Bob Sked for the little ones around our house. Part of the appeal of the old gear is that they can stand up on it without having to hold a handle tied directly to the boat. Still pretty cool. But it jumps over one of the steps we always used to get our kids from standing on the zip sled to trainer skis.

Ours came like this. Works well and no issues in the rare instances this boat has pulled 38 off.

I have the PTM VR140 on my SN and it is a definite improvement over the CIPA Extreme I had previously. I'm sure using raw instinct works well for some and I don't think any of us are fixing our gaze behind the boat when we're in the course. But, in my case, there's no substitute for a good blaster at your side (so to speak). It's easier to take a quick glance in this mirror if I need to get an idea of what's going on behind me knowing I will be able to see my skier wherever he/she may be rather than to have to hunt the reflection to find what I'm looking for. With young kids, they don't always behave predictably nor is it easy to "feel" their 50 lbs behind the boat. Obviously, at this point, you have decided you need something better than what came on your boat. So I'll encourage the purchase. If the mount on your current mirror looks like this, it will probably work with the PTM mirror and save you a few bucks. My mount is from the CIPA Extreme. I bought mine from White Lake Marine and got a 10% discount. Obviously, if a BOS sponsor is offering a good deal on it, go that route.

Good deal. Thanks!

Got a link to that remote grease hose? I got one when I had my rudder swapped out for the tunable sort (99+) and would like to make hitting it with the grease less of a chore.

One of our club's sites is a little low. The other is spring fed and is probably well over pool. Our fun weekend place where my wife's dad has a house is about half a foot over pool.

Switched underwriters on my policy last year and the price dropped $100 for the same coverage. Hope it lasts.

If you want a trailerable cover, I'm a fan of Coversports. You could probably get him to make a detachable skirt and platform cover. I have nothing but good things to say about ours. Different boat, but you get the idea. I have a phone number for Brent somewhere. He tried having a website for a while, but I guess it was too much for him.

I had always heard that Florida was Heaven's waiting room. But, I digress. Florida sounds great. Everyone should go there. No skiable water in Texas. Nothing to see here. :-)

Congrats! We had our first child in his life vest at about 4 days old, in the boat at 3 weeks old, on the zip sled (with dad in tow) at 20 months old, and on trainer skies at 3.5 years old. He is 7, and loves the kneeboard and is asking about slalom. Our second child was on the boat even earlier (amazingly), rode the zip sled with dad at 18 months, and loves the boat, but has been a little more delayed in interested compared to our first (at 4, he now wants to zip sled). As Grampa, you just provide the opportunity, the equipment, and knowledge. They will tell you when they are ready. However it goes, it will be as much fun as you have ever had on the water, I'd bet.

@BraceMaker, been there, done that. Splurged on some mash temp control and have become one of the happy button pushing brewers. @Razorskier1, sounds like my boat owning history. I started at 205, thought about 197 and 190, and ended up at 196.

I think the software v. 8.0 that accompanied zbox was as much of an improvement as anything I have seen in a while. My boat has never locked in on speed as quickly (so far before the setup buoys) as it has since this upgrade.

Excellent point on attenuation. A lot depends on the mash temperature, too, when it comes ot how fermentable the wort is. But we might end up putting everyone to sleep. :) I would add that too much alcohol isn't just bad from a dietary perspective. But I think beer is one of the first things on some of these diet books' axe list, and not for the best reasons. If for any reason, I might suggest that drinking too much can cause you to forget your diet and raid the fridge late at night. Charlie Bamforth's books on beer and nutrition are pretty interesting stuff.

@Ed Obermeier, while beer is made, in part, with malted barley and while the unfermented wort does contain maltose, during fermentation yeast consumes the maltose, converting it to alcohol. Beer does contain some residual sugar, but most of the maltose is consumed. The residual sugar is typically a type of sugar that saccharomyces cerevisiae (typical beer yeast) will not consume. Beer contains calories to be sure. But I have not found it to contribute to my own weight gain or loss more than other foods. In fact, the last time I laid off beer for a month, I gained five pounds. As with anything, YMMV. The most weight I ever lost was simply by being extremely conscious of when I became full and putting the fork down at that moment. I think I lost thirty pounds the first month, and another ten after that will little effort. It was too much and I had to intentionally put some weight back on. That was in my 20s and it doesn't melt off as quickly these days. But if you have the discipline, it works well. Eating lean protein and more fibrous vegetables helps. Top it all off with a nice beer.

Hop in the way-back machine for this one. 20th Anniversary CDX was a looker. http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=48326&stc=1&d=1244832395

Last year for that gel scheme if I recall. Truly, one of the best. Hull looks like my old 205. You will like it a lot!