Bdecker

16 hours ago, Golfguy said:

I would be interested to hear your skiing comparison between the CP and the PS. I also have a 16 CP.

We still have the 16 CP as a club boat now and a member with a 19 Nautique 6.2.  The CarbonPro is a 6.0 so lots of grunt, but the prostar has just a little more so when you’re connected it casts you out nice and early, feels soft but connected to me.   Not like the boat is running away at all.  The wakes at 34 -28 are very similar to the CP (ie not there…), I’ve only skied 28/32/35 so far.  For me, it feels like the pull of the nautique with the wakes of the CarbonPro;)

We loaded it up except rear seats and tower.  Some of the more unique options include the 6.2, integrated ballast system and upgraded mirror.  Coming from a CarbonPro, I really like the system in this boat.  Nicely integrated under the seat and into the control screen. Future pump service will be a breeze too!  Hoping to have more to say about cool feel seats in the future,  but currently I’m happy that the seat heater is pretty amazing on these cool days.

I am not as disciplined as you guys.  Back to backs for sure but I start at 28 and spend much more time at 32.  

My routine typically starts in a late March/ early April warm spell with expectations of regular training.  It lasts no more than a week then it’s typically raining or otherwise unskiable until mid/late May…

I feel like there should be a 6th option - “I often chase my tail briefly with tweaks but typically make it back to stock” 

Costa Rica next week!  Excited to get my February sets in.  

I’ve been skiing there with @m_pags since the early days.  Awesome site and even better guy!  Skiing options on the Gulf Coast have been sparse and Mark’s place is amazing.  I’ll certainly be back soon.

Two sets yesterday!  Water was 56 but air in the 70’s so it was very tolerable.  Hoping for 3 more ski days before the next boat comes out this weekend.

Still cranking here in New Hampshire, but will probably pack it up last weekend in October with plans to ski at least every month or so over the winter in Florida or further south!  
 

Any good cold water glove tricks?  Everything else is fine but it seems to take about 90 minutes for my thumbs to work again!  Planning to try nitrile gloves underneath today…

21 hours ago, MickeyThompson said:

I'm considering a front boot change. Would like to try the Fluid Motion EVO. Any Ballers using this?

If you want a LFF size 10, pm me!  I have probably 3 of them in the garage.  Switched to syndicate this season after decades on the FM.   I also have an 11…

Only issue I ever had was one shell fell apart at the connection point on the heel.   As long as you are checking your equipment regularly you’d notice long before a massive blowout.  I had extra shells and easily swapped it for a fresh one.

17 hours ago, Than_Bogan said:

Wow, my list is very similar to @Wish.  Probably my Peeked Interest List, in order, is:

1. c95 -- yeah, yeah, I'm sure everyone is gasping in shock now, but it really does sound kinda awesome!
2. Works 02 -- I'm becoming a massive Jamie Bull fan, and this ski certainly has top-notch results!
3. Pineapple -- I just love crazy ... um ... stuff.  And Parsons was probably the brain behind the N1, which still accounts for nearly all of the '38s that I've run in my life.
4. '24 Vapor -- I'd never have time to get to the 4th ski on my list, but this sounds like it brings a unusual combination of abilities, and I look forward to seeing @Bdecker run some -38s on it!!

Come up and give the Vapor a rip anytime @Than_Bogan.  Between my son and i, we have 66 and 67 covered!  If you have a C95, Works 02, or Pineapple with you even better!  All three are intriguing, but super happy with the Vapor currently.

@Killer anti-roll is the way to go but beware of length with the spectra.  I have bought (3) and all were long.  Kind of annoying to be fiddling rope into your new $200 handle to be in tolerance…

Much easier on my elbows though.  I order radius too!

After reading this review and thread I abandoned my “in between” settings posted above for stock long and shallow, and it’s better in every way.  Wish it would stay warm a few more weeks, it feels like this ski could take me from “very rarely” running 38 to at least “occasionally” or better!

On 9/30/2023 at 1:04 PM, Killer said:

What size suit and what size are you?   Tia

Size Large, unfortunately they only had 1 of each in stock.  Used the top today, warmer than my Camaro!   Great early/ late season top, probably too much for a cool august morning 

I’m a big fan of Blacktec but just got a killer deal on the Syndicate DryFlex through Moosejaw- top and spring suit for $230…  I’ve only tried it on at home so far but the construction seems a bit more beefy than the Camaro - hoping it is a little less fragile.  My blacktec that is blue inside is falling apart fast.  The one that is black inside seems to be doing much better.  

5 hours ago, aupatking said:

@BdeckerWhat settings are you using and what length ski?

I’m on a 67” - boot at 29 7/8th - I’ll probably try long and shallow again, short and deep was fine but didn’t have the same cross course direction for me, adding a little tip seemed to bring it back.

6.900

2.480

.751

9 degrees

I bought two this year: 

D3 NEO 2 - great ski, but currently available (67)

Radar Vapor 2024 - you’d currently have to rip it out of my cold dead hands 

Great review and fantastic ski!  This is my 5th Vapor and the best one yet.  Running right in between long and shallow and short deep settings right now and it feels fantastic.  6 events on this ski, and I’m headed into the offseason with my highest average ever.  I’ve tied my best tournament and practice scores on it already and I’m certain there is a lot more in it.  This week our water temps are plummeting, and the typically challenging transition from skiing warm Florida water to mid/low 60’s in NH has been a non factor- no adjustments made.

Looks great, are you still at the same fin setting?  I’ve been taking out tip and seem to be somewhere between long/shallow and short/deep.   Curious if you’ve made changes 

We’ve had a group ownership arrangement for 10 years or more. The key to success for us has been to keep it small. Just a couple of partners, using an LLC and splitting costs equally.  In the early days, we had a member who wanted to leave the partnership, we bought him out and never replaced.  Ironically we also share a Cpro which makes it much easier to keep the group small than $100k+ asset.  Only advice is to treat each other like family (that you like), expect that you’ll never get a dime of your buy-in back, and don’t do it with anyone that can’t/won’t kick in immediately for a big repair.  In my opinion, it’s far more important to partner with a group that will write a check when the boat is down or prop is dinged than someone who will wipe every bead of water off the gel coat.    We manage gas informally and really never think about tracking engine hours out of the context of managing oil changes.  
 

The insurance landscape has changed, and we did pay more for insurance in 23 as the LLC is deemed corporate ownership.  

3 hours ago, JoshMan said:

Can you comment on the NEO2 vs radar with respect to ride characteristics?  Which one is working out best for you? Thanks!

@JoshMan still getting acclimated to the ‘24 Vapor but here are my impressions.  Two totally different animals - vapor generates angle with much less roll than NEO2.  It flows through my onside amazingly well and is a fast, lower effort ski.  The NEO2 turns beautifully- offside is automatic- my only issue has been getting too deep occasionally on the onside.  I’m rolling the ski over significantly more on the D3 than the vapor - feels like the difference between a sports sedan and a race car.  

My offside is good on the vapor but I have to be more mindful than the D3.  
I’ve got both ready to go but feeling like the vapor might have more for me at -38, (which I’ve only ever run a few times) than the NEO only because it generates angle and width so well.  Only 4 rides in on the 24 so far, but I like what I see.   If I had to bet my kid’s 529s on a -28/-32, I’d take the NEO, -35 I’d ride the vapor…  

I feel it’s similar to my rides on the red and blue Denalis to some degree- think you just made a fatal mistake… point the thing cross course and bam,  you’re right back in it!  Hope this helps.  If I had to choose today, I’d probably keep the Vapor.  Two weeks ago I was so happy on the NEO2, I almost didn’t try the Vapor at all…

First set on mine yesterday.  It’s my 5th vapor, set up long and shallow per factory specs out of the box.  I’ve been riding a NEO2 for the past couple of weeks, and this felt radically different. After blowing my first -28, i ran 28, a couple 32’s, and a pretty low effort 35.  Damn this thing builds angle!  I haven’t settled into the offside yet but once I get there I expect really good things.  Not enough time to dial in before flying to West Palm, but excited to try this thing at 38!

On 8/1/2023 at 3:57 PM, Horton said:

@Ali okay, maybe I should give fin setup advice but not life advice 😁

@Horton - I assure you @Ali can always benefit from fin advice but he’s got the life thing pretty dialed in.  I have a 66” and 67” for my son and I in the same box - can’t wait to give it a rip!  Might even ride it at nationals…

@oldmanskier I did it on my 2016 a few years back.  Just attach a rope to the old cable before you pull it out and it will be easy.  Great idea removing the seat.  Contorting to get in there was definitely the hardest part!

22 minutes ago, ScarletArrow said:

Why are people complaining about the hole shot with a 6L?  I’ve heard this about other 200s. 

This is the “new” 200.  Other ski partners with older 200’s feel fine.  Our site is short so 10-20’ more to get up and going is material.  I’m sure a more aggressive prop will make a big difference.