lakeaustinskier

Listen to your body and rest when you need to (it takes some discipline to do this) and use a foam roller twice a day. During ski season any other workouts I do are contingent on how my body feels. I have one round roller to roll out specific areas and another elliptical roller that provides some cross friction and increase blood flow across the muscles. Trigger Point for the round roller and SmartRoller for the elliptical.

@mrjones and @brettmainer I completely agree with your assessments about the long pull. For a skier of my level the edge change and tendency to long pull and roar into the ball are very much connected. I should have made that more clear in my post. In spite of exposing my flaws in these areas, in the long run the Vapor will make me a better skier since it has more upside than the XT.

I thought about posting this in the "Carrying the Handle" thread, however, this one seems more appropriate. I recently jumped on a Vapor (from an XT) and I've decided to buy the Vapor. For a tail rider like myself I love the extra width in the tail of the Vapor- not saying that I shouldn't fix that - it just helps. For me the Vapor is faster than the XT, but just as stable around the ball as the XT. And with the Vapor it seems that I can do more stupid things and still run the pass. After all does anyone buy a ski to run their easy passes? At least for me I buy a new ski to give me a fighting chance on my hardest pass. FWIW I reach my limit at blue (35). My only complaint - (and here's where I'm going to paste @horton's comment from Carrying the Handle) - "Typically slower skis are more stable and faster skis are looser at edge change. Skiers on faster skis generally find it more difficult to stay connected. I think we all flinch when a ski is looser at edge change. Fast water/ Fast ski same feeling to some extent." I've had to adapt and improve my skiing technique on the Vapor because at least for my skiing ability the edge change going into the ball on the Vapor is faster and not as well defined as the XT. But man - when I do it right..........the Vapor rocks!

I thought about posting this in the "Carrying the Handle" thread, however, this one seems more appropriate. I recently jumped on a Vapor (from an XT) and I've decided to buy the Vapor. For a tail rider like myself I love the extra width in the tail of the Vapor- not saying that I shouldn't fix that - it just helps. For me the Vapor is faster than the XT, but just as stable around the ball as the XT. And with the Vapor it seems that I can do more stupid things and still run the pass. After all does anyone buy a ski to run their easy passes? At least for me I buy a new ski to give me a fighting chance on my hardest pass. FWIW I reach my limit at blue (35). My only complaint - (and here's where I'm going to paste @horton's comment from Carrying the Handle) - "Typically slower skis are more stable and faster skis are looser at edge change. Skiers on faster skis generally find it more difficult to stay connected. I think we all flinch when a ski is looser at edge change. Fast water/ Fast ski same feeling to some extent." I've had to adapt and improve my skiing technique on the Vapor because at least for my skiing ability the edge change going into the ball on the Vapor is faster and not as well defined as the XT. But man - when I do it right..........the Vapor rocks!

Really like the painted valve covers!

While I completely agree that "we just need to count buoys" I'll also add that maybe we should take a page out of USA Swimming rules - if the judge(s) weren't certain if the swimmer caused an infraction while swimming (whatever it may be) then the benefit of doubt always goes to the swimmer. USA Swim hammers this into stroke judges. If what you saw was too close to call (you could flip a coin) - always give it to the skier and let the majority rule. And - get off your darn cell phone while judging.

I happen to own an 07 196 and installed ZO in my boat. The ECM definitely needs to be re-flashed. Since the conversion I haven't had any issues. In my opinion this endeavor isn't for amateurs. Have the dealer do the job.

Camaro Blacktec tops are great. Robbys Ski Shop is a great source.

I've heard other people besides @thager make the bow comment. Might work for others - doesn't work for me. Whenever I worry about my back arm I immediately start to ski with my upper body instead of my hips. My upper arm is just along for the ride - nothing else.

In the grand scheme of things who cares about the Wakeye? The boat path looks decent enough :)

Just curious. Where do you put the propane tanks? I assume in the same area where the gasoline tank would normally be? Also, awesome looking boat and restoration. Once its finished please post a video of the entire boat (not just the metal areas).

I bought a 196 from them several years ago and had a good experience.

Maybe another topic should be WHEN is everybody's trigger to stop skiing? For me its when I have a bad gate pull-out. As soon as I lose my "pop" on the pull-out I quit.

I like screws because I want to minimize the variables. How old is my Velcro? Are my bindings pounded down properly onto the ski? Too many things for my small mind to think about. Screws are more of a sure thing for me. Yes, I sacrifice some convenience when I switch out bindings (try new skis) and have to switch out the plates but it works for me. And if you need custom plates @malibuskier is fantastic.

My best injury since its weird was partially tearing (over 50%) of my left ear away from my skull when I got lean-locked and slide almost to the shore (I guess on my ear). Impossible to stitch so they glued it back.

The three most dangerous words in the English language are "Hey watch this!".

I understand your pain. We've all been in your situation - but - for me if your guy isn't a skier himself I've found that it takes a long time to truly understand what it takes to become a good driver. Even @Texas6 son at 11 might have more insight since he skis (or so I assume).

I assume that you don't like the traditional bimini tops that have straps etc. (but prefer the rigid metal poles). If so, then @skiinxs has a source for this type of top.

I own both a 196 and also a 200. Price is huge driver for these boats. I own a 2007 196 that I use at a private lake and recently bought a 2015 200 from @skiinxs . Both are great boats but the 200 cost me almost twice what my 196 originally cost. I use the 200 at my home on a public lake and occasionally need an open bow. Since I own both boats I'm not biased - if all you want is a great wake and a great boat but can tolerate the closed bow - the 196 is a great value. The 200 is a great boat but except for the open bow and being new; there's very little difference between the two boats. Is the 200 worth the extra money? - sometimes I wonder the same thing (except that I needed an open bow). Side note - I'm getting ready to sell my old 1998 MC 205 Sammy Duvall edition. If anyone has any interest please PM me.

I think everyone might be missing the point. In 2016 both sports are almost equally mature. Most younger people can easily flip between the two sports. I have two sons and both of them can easily flip between the two disciplines depending on conditions (e.g. fluffy versus hardpack). They don't care. Another indication of snowboarding maturing - 99% of riders wear helmets now - as opposed to the old days when wearing a helmet was super uncool. Another analogy - my kids like to slalom on smooth water. When it is rough they board or pull out the trick ski. Of course on the water (at least on my public lake) everything is being shoved aside by wakesurfers and wakeskaters. Who wakeboards anymore anyhow?

If you ARE looking at Jeff's boat at SMRR I'll second @kfennell about that boat. I've both skied and driven Jeff's boat and it is top notch. Not wanting to get into a major discussion here but I felt that versus the 5.7 the 6.0 litre was much more "planted" in the water. Well worth the money.

First set today. Only free skiing with the goal of proper body position. Hopefully my winter workout idea of farmer carries with kettle bells will help lessen the typical early season soreness and weakness in my forearms.

I'll second @skiinxs about the potential for scary line locking with the Power Vest. My ski partner uses one and he's almost ended up on shore several times. Also for something that costs so much the darn thing is surprising fragile. He's constantly reinforcing the back brace with extra washers to keep it from tearing off the vest. BUT due to back issues he wouldn't ski without it and it works for him. Just gotta know how to use it.

My ski partner has that handle and he loves it. I've tried it and hated it. It all comes down to how you grip your handle. When I ski I have one of my thumbs on top of the handle cap. With the Masterline Radius Ergo handle my grip would sometimes slide too far up the handle for my comfort. Nothing wrong with the handle - it just didn't suit my style.

Those people who think skiing is about strength and muscle should watch a Girls 3 skier. There are several top level Girls 3 in my area and watching them ski is always a joy. In my opinion solid technique/form is the best way to extend longevity (or at least I try).