Ed_Johnson

Yes, on a Nano with a Ventral Wing !!!!!

OB' I'm happy your flying and helping pay my Retirement Check from Delta..LOL....ED

Having owned and skied all three, my choice is the Mid. The simple reason is it has the speed of the Reg. 9900, with the turning capability of the Wide. It is simply the best of both worlds........ED

Agree with OB, I have flown both also, and say go with the Fighter. However, there are Fighters I consider easy to fly, like the F-15, and those that can eat you for lunch if your not paying attention or make a mistake. High performance skis are the same way and you have to choose one that fits your style. I always want a ski that is better than me. Eliminates the excuses. I also want one that is highly reactive to my inputs and fine tune it to extract the most performance. I never believe this crap when they say, "I pulled it out of the box and ran my PB." I feel it takes several sets to set one up correctly, first with binding placement, followed by several fin and wing adjustments. Just like the Fighter, you have to feel like it's part of you. It is so sweet when you reach that point. Ski Well, ED

I would like someone to try this fin on a Schnitz Speed Slot Fin and post the results. I have found this to be the best fin I have ever used and currently have it on the Goode Mid-Ride. Thanks, ED

Richard is right in the fact you really need ZO. I use to be able to run some really short lines with PP by pulling the boat down in practice. After buying the CC200 with ZO I have had to revamp my whole style to try to take advantage of ZO. There is no pulling down ZO, it's a lot stronger and keeps the speed up. Lost a whole pass, but it is forcing me to be a more technically correct skier. While it has been a real challenge, I love the speed consistency, headwind or tailwind, weight in the boat, etc. and would not want to ever go back to PP..........ED

Ed, I agree. I had a 05 LXi with 70lbs in the nose. While skiing I havn't noticed much difference between that and my 2011 CC 200. The video shows a little more dip at the wakes on the LXi but I hardly notice that in the course. The big difference is Z-off, not the wakes. ED

That brings back memorys. Wow, the jump gear looks pretty primitive by todays standards. Like the hair too !!! LOL ED

Joe, One of the things I did before painting is to cut the zip ties, turn the buoy inside out, and reattach. Just as bright orange on the inside as it was on the outside. Buys you a few more months before you resort to painting. Goode Luck, ED

We are in our 2nd season using Goode Buoys an would not consider anything else. Before that, we had skiers hurt with both regular and waterfilled buoys. Skiers now have gone right over the middle of the Bubble Buoys and not even known it. You can repair them with super glue, repaint them, they seem to last foever. Highly Recommend, ED

Roger, Yes, jumped in DeLand with Gary and Doug Dupree starting in 68. Formed a Club at Riddle that then practiced at DeLand Also held the Collegiate Nationals there. Airshow wise, flew virtually every Fla show back thenin 74. Had just come back from Vietnam flying F-4s in 73.

Yes, the 9800 and 9900 will out turn the 9500. Having owned all these models I will testify that the 9900 Mid and Wide Ride will "GREATLY" out turn the 9500.....ED

Roger, Yes, Airshows in the BD-5 Jet from 70's through 90's. Along with Military Fighters, Pitt's Specials, Eagle, and a Laser, that was also sponsored by Bud Light. Originally based out of Miami and part of the ski club there. Started in Airshows Skydiving, like you, in 1968 while going to College at Embry Riddle in Daytona. Also taught Aerobatics at Riddle and started their Skydiving Club before going in the Airforce and Flying two Combat Tours. My Son is currently on his 2nd Tour in Afghanistan, so were keeping the tradition going. Thanks,  ED

I originally tried the Goode Numbers on my 66" Mid but found Dave Millers numbers to work best. Shortly thereafter I tried my Schnitz Speed Slot Fin, and for me, that performed the best. I always suggest you start with Steve's stock numbers and adjust according to your size, weight, and style. Goode Luck,  ED

Agree with these points from the simple fact that this is what is necessary in order to ski efficiently with Zero-Off. One of the first things I had to adapt to when switching from PP to ZO, and the fact that it always wants to keep you at a constant speed.....ED

Steven, There are 4 pages of comments on this site under the heading of "Snow Skiing Vs. Slalom Skiing (same or different). Hope that helps, ED

Bud, I would if I had this new style I'm working on down pat. Right now I am in such an experimental phase and my boat video tells me all I need to know. My two ski partners, who are much younger than me, and ski old school, think I have lost my mind. The only satisfaction is I spanked both of them at 38 yesterday, while working on my Snow Ski technique. I admit what I am working on is "Outside the Box," but I really believe in it's potential. I know I can't go wrong, since I'm drinking Tiger Blood and being coached by Charlie Sheen. Winning,  ED

Bud, You bring up a lot of good points and I would just like to add one; "Perception is in the eye of the beholder.".....As an example,  you are correct that you don't need to "TRY" to ski up on the boat at the shorter line lengths. What I find is it is just something that just naturally occurs. Personally, I pay no attention to the boat whatsoever. However, when I play back my video, I am surprised how far up on the boat you can be at 38 and shorter. The first time I ever tried 41, I turned one ball hard, had a ton of slack, and darn near hit the boat. Looking at the video, it was a real eye opener. The other point is angle vs. speed. I believe Speed gives you Angle. Plus the greater that speed gives you angle the less load you will incur. Many times I have seen skiers purposely turn hard, grab a ton of angle at the ball, come to a near stop, and then dramatically get pulled up before the wakes. Thus no speed from the angle. I feel it is much more efficient to accelerate off the apex and let the speed build the angle so you can load spray to spray vs ball to spray. Thanks,  ED

Bud, I do agree that it is beneficial to be slightly slower Gate to One, in relation to the higher rhythm you will maintain in the course. I also strongly believe in the importance of mentally visualizing your path throughout the course.... I take it a step further by combining a mental image of every physical move in combination with the path and rhythm. The next level you may not agree with, since it is not an actual path but a mental path. For me this path is skiing a Figure Eight, with the ski always moving in relation to the handle. I also visualize my COM, Center of Mass movement, combined with Angulation. This is more of a mental image of Giant Slalom in snow ski technique than accepted Waterski Technique. However, it is working for me...... I believe it is of paramount importance that everyone finds what works for THEM, and not just copy someone else's form. Keep the discussion going,  ED

JohnN, Great stuff,.....Thanks, ED

Wish, Nothing to be sorry about. I agree that the Red Plastic paint is a better product and will adhere and flex better. It is just that I am really hung up on bright orange. As of last year, I am blind in one eye and can just see the orange better. Need all the help I can get.........ED

Wish, The method I use is very flexable. Especially since you have to squeeze and burp the Goode Buoys. ED

Disclaimer: I am not a snow skier. Would love to, but not much opportunity here in Orlando. It is just that I have learned a tremendous amount from studying instructional videos from Bode Miller and others in the Snow Ski industry. It has helped me better understand COM, Center of Mass movement. Along with better ankle and knee flexion, Also, and very importantly, separating upper and lower body movement, while keeping a quiet upper body. Including, keeping the head and shoulders level in a turn. Another important point is a deeper understanding of Inclination vs. Angulation, and the advantages that presents. As an example, for years I have skied and watched skiers set a straight-line angle from their turn in point for their gates, from the buoy line to the right hand gate buoy. The wider you were on the boat, the more angle you would have. However, I found at 38 or shorter, this could lead to a lot of excess speed being carried into one ball. The first time I ever tried 41 was an absolute wall, followed by a world of slack. In a quest to find the greatest amount of angle through the gates that would result in sustaining angular momentum, without excess speed, I turned to Snow Ski technique. I watched how Bode Miller would shift from one edge to the other and direct his COM to establish a large carving turn. This is what I was looking for. Instead of standing tall, and dropping in off the buoy line, directly towards the right gate I allowed my legs to carry through, under me, shift my COM towards the boat pylon, allowing the ski to carryout wide and in front of me. This kept me in a large carving turn, similar to what I saw with Bode Miller. As I entered the white water, second hand reaching the handle, I would reshift my COM in the direction of travel. This then created the first straight line through the gates from the left hand to right hand gate buoys, with the most angle I have ever created. My point being, this really has worked for me. It was from studying Snow Ski technique that gave me the answer I was looking for. Presently I am working on better, more efficient Counter Rotation and increased Angulation, into and out of the apex. Not from watching other Slalom Skiers, but studying the very best Competition Snow Skiers. All this seems to work really well with Zero Off since it keeps you at a more constant speed throughout the course. Just a different perspective,  ED

Bud, For years I have used Orange Marking Paint, Krylon works best. It will dry to a flat, slightly sticky finish. You then follow this up with Krylon Clear Acrylic finish, which dries quickly and removes the sticky feeling. I have used this on the Waterfilled Buoys, and now on the Goode Buoys. The only problem are the Sea Gulls which love to sit on them and leave their mark. Good Luck,  ED

As someone who has spent a major portion of my life flying jet fighters, 2 combat tours, and driven a lot of race cars, including Indy Cars, I can testify to the fact that Slalom skiing has a lot in common. That common ingredient is "INTENSITY". There are few sports that require that much concentration and physical effort in 16.95 seconds. Then, whenever you think you may have it figured out, just shorten the rope. More intensity and quicker reactions. The challenge is always there. Also, if you screw up in any of these, the result can be quite painful. I have enjoyed skiing since I was 8 years old and over 50 years later, enjoy the challenge and excitement more than ever. Including the unique people you get to share this with. Check Six,  ED