lakeaustinskier

I have the E-Series and I agree with you but is there a chance your foot/cuff would release more slowly if the laces are tight? I'm not talking about the buckles. I'm probably just paranoid since I ski with guys with all manner of previous injuries (no FM injuries though).

Would the same theory of keeping the laces "barely snug" also apply to a FM E-series?ÂÂ

I also tried to mount my E-Series bindings to a Strada and discovered the same problem (I'm demoing several skis right now). Front plate fit fine whereas the two holes on the back plate were narrow and off by maybe 1/4 inch or so - so it wouldn't work.   I called Fluid Motion and Paul is sending me a slightly modified rear plate for about $45.

"Oh yes and dropping a nut down the carb during maintenence!" I have an old 1983 2001 CC that I'm keeping around for sentimental value. Last spring I was doing maintenence on the motor before I fired it up for the first time and...........I dropped the nut from the air cleaner down into the carb.......where it fell into the engine. Of course I didn't realize that I had dropped the nut into the carb until I had turned the engine over several times and screwed the engine. Nothing like spending money for an engine rebuild on a  boat that you don't really use that often.

Wow! That is easily one of the most impressive injuries I've ever seen. I assume that all the blood is the result of the location on the scalp and that it didn't hurt much (its all relative I suppose). I fell across the wake last year and somehow caught my ear on the wake, bent the ear back and separated my ear halfway from my scalp (behind my ear where it connects to the scalp). Same thing - lots of blood but considering the amount of blood it didn't hurt that much. How many stiches? What does the doc say about scarring?

I've been riding a D3 X5 Pro for 4 years and it's time for a new ski. I'm considering a new D3 Z7 ST (since I have a D3), a Strada (since that's what Mad 11 wants me to try and it seems to be the "hot" ski), and maybe something else for grins - a Prophecy maybe? just because no seems to talk about Connelly anymore and I had a string of good Connellys. Maybe an Elite? I like the D3 since it is so stable but everyone tells me that I need a faster ski. Never skied a Goode (but have witnessed the problems) and have never had luck with HO skis.   I run 32 off and have the goal of getting into deep 35 this year.  I'm going to do the demo thing with H2O. So these skis have a wide range of perfomance styles. Thoughts?ÂÂ

I've never really liked the really light comp vests because you DO have to work at staying afloat.......and it takes more work to get out the water each time you drop/get up.  If you drop after each pass you'll burn more energy with a lighter vest IMO. I'll agree that the thin vests are neat......but assuming that you can find a vest that floats and skis well (range of motion etc.) I'd rather save my energy for skiing. I have an O'Neill Revenge vest and really like it (actually bought it from Tadd).  Based on Tadd's comments about Eagle versus O'Neill my next vest will hopefully be an Eagle.  I've seen several of the new Eagle vests are they are cool.

It is snowing in Austin.  ÂÂ

You're right - it does make my head spin. I've realized (finally!) that I can only process 2-3 "nuggets" of info at one time.  So maybe focus on keeping speed outbound, tight line and awareness of where the handle is on my hips? Rossi did have a good article! I could not pull up the pictures that came with the link. Maybe the picture links are expired?

What does "handle control" really mean? (I've gotten about a million answers) And speaking of the Prophecy why doesn't anyone talk about that ski? Do we only hear about the other top end skis because Connelly doesn't spend money on a huge marketing budget like the other ski manufactors?   The cynic in me thinks that maybe we're all suspicious about a ski that doesn't cost an arm and a leg - therefore it can't be any good (so we're not very smart). Or is Jamie such a a unique skier that the Prophecy only works for him? (but that sounds like a bunch of crap). Coincidentally I used to ski a F-1 now I ski a X5.   But then I'd ski an old O'Brien World Tour Comp if I dramatically improved /vanillaforum/js/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif  ÂÂ

For the rare occasions that she drives me do you'all think I can get my wife to read this thread?

I had a set of D3 Drivers on my X5 and they were truly bad bindings. I've never tried the other D3 bindings. I tried the Approaches and also found them to be very stiff. I'd heard that the Connelly Drafts were decent and I've seen decent results except for durability with the laces.    ÂÂ

Forgot to say that I received some great instruction from Trent last week. Also saw the new Strada and the "Matrix" bottom. Did not try it out.        I need to settle the new bindings down - and like Marc........ need to wait for a 67.

Just got word that several people were having a party watching the lake fill up, then cheered when the first finger of water crept over the Aquaplex dam. DELETE this thread! Let the junk settle out of the water and let's ski!

I have a O'Neill Revenge and really like it. It has an interior buckle/strap that kinda lends a little back support then the outside is a "smoothskin" style of vest (no exposed buckles/straps). I bought it from Tadd at H2O.

Is it best to start looking and testing a new ski at the end of the season or the beginning of the season? In Texas I can ski intermittingly through November or so. Start up again sometime in March.  Thoughts?

I've also been interested in the E-Series. I've currently got a pair of Drafts and although I like the way they perform - they've really had a lot of maintenance problems. My ski partner has a pair of Quattros but I've never done the hard shell thing, mostly because I like the "give" of rubber.  Ignoring release issues (see discussions above) would the E-Series give me the control and durability of hardshells but still allow the "give"? I tried the RS-1s and they feel too low on my ankles and were generally too loose on my foot - never could get used to them.  Admittedly my Drafts DO crank down tight............ ÂÂ

Worked out at Aquaplex Saturday in the rain surveying, cleaning up anchors etc. and there's about 1 inch overall in the lake now............oh well. All the carp in the video are now dead and floating and rotting. They might have survived with the additional water from the rain. Evidently timing matters.

Since there are two lakes (horseshoe) we had discussed damming one end and pumping into the remaining lake. Glad we didn't do that since both lakes dried up anyway. No one has skied at Aquaplex since last September. In the meantime we've renovated and dredged the marina, repaired the jump, surveyed everything etc., prayed for rain and found other places to ski - thanks to Gordon Hall and San Marcos River Ranch homeowners. Looking forward to El Nino, La Nina - whatever system brings rain.  ÂÂ

 I’m new to this forum but I thought you’all might want to check out this video:   I had noticed somewhere in this forum (can’t remember) some pics of some of the lakes in our area that have been devastated due to the extreme drought in our area (Aquaplex Ski Lake, Austin Texas). I took this video two weeks ago when I was out there with my kids. Sorry about the video quality (was not intending to share it) but it’s pretty interesting to see what has happened to a place that has hosted the 2000 U.S. Open, numerous Barefoot Nationals and other large tournaments.  Currently the lake is almost dry except for a small area about 200 feet long, 10 feet wide and about 18 inches deep. The fins and other movement you see in the water at the end of video are the remaining carp that we stocked for weed control. Each fish is about 30-36 inches (no lie) and the fish are literally stacked on top of each other in the small amount of water still remaining in the lake.