Bdecker

Thanks all, sounds like we are on the right path with LLC and contract. Luckily we've got a small group that has been skiing together for years.

We have decided to enter a new club boat arrangement as a cost-effective way to get a current boat that is always available regardless of who is traveling, etc. Before we take delivery, I'm trying to figure out the best way to set this up from a liability perspective, as well as some basic guidelines to ensure that the group that starts as friends stays that way... What have others done? LLC?

I'm pretty sure he was not successful. I never saw his site but it sounds like it was significantly smaller (ie- better) than the site I am trying to protect. The lake I'm dealing with is a large body of water which skis ok early in the morning before the wind and wake boards start.

I just received a similar note today. Our lake is almost 2 sq miles and the complaints are associated purely with fishing and two parties making multiple complaints. I'll be looking for people willing to write a letter on behalf of our sport to the NH Marine Patrol... It seems reasonable to me that I'm asking both fishermen to use the other 99% of the lake!

Are there any buoys south of Tampa? We are in Venice often but I have only managed a trip to McCormicks once as it is a bit of a drive. Would love to find something closer but have never been successful... headed down there in a couple weeks

With 8 ft of water I think the sub-buoy/ counter-weight system might be best, as long as it is reasonably clear. You can float it/ sink it in about 20 minutes, and have a nice accurate course with little chance for issues. I'm in 50' of water for my public lake course, so I have a Wallysinker. Works pretty well but there is a bunch of work involved in getting it right. I bought mine second-hand, which didn't help. It comes up in 15 min but we have it set a little deeper due to fishermen and boat traffic. Get the bigger pump if you go this route. The 5 or 10 minutes you might save for an automated system versus clipping the balls on and off will literally take years before they equal the time to install and maintain a sinker. I've been told that 20' is about the max for the sub buoy approach due to accuracy, which is why I went with a sinker.

@ Than- Adam was skiing in the INT events and the occasional class C in New England for several years before he relocated. Many years ago I saw him crash, tumble-turn up and ski away, so I'd say he has a unique level of strength and ability. Great to see that he is skiing so well.

@Baja- I respectfully disagree. If someone gets seriously hurt in our sport a couple million bucks would be gone in a heartbeat. I pay my premiums with the hope that I never need to use it but try to protect whatever assets I can as well. Thanks for the referrals- will try liberty and Allstate for umbrella. Back to focusing on how to run -38!

@alberto- while I agree completely with you- my concern is that the carrier (not agent) disagrees, which means I'm potentially paying for an empty promise. @boarditup- that's exactly what I have been doing. The big premium increase this year is what started this search in hopes of dropping the limits, but I have decided to renew at the max limit.

Hopefully I'm just too conservative (or my agent is) but read the policy carefully. Property damage is not really my concern. This was in the RLI umbrella: "N. Injury arising out of or while you or any covered person is participating in an organized, unorganized or prearranged speed contest or race as an operator or occupant of an Automobile, Recreational Vehicle, or Watercraft. This exclusion does not apply to insured Watercraft operated by sail." I thought it was no problem but the agent confirmed with the carrier that this would apply to the slalom course. The progressive policy exclusion was on page 5, item 4 of the policy and was even broader (she sent a PDF so I can't cut and paste. Basically saying any predefined or permanent course was excluded. @wish-funny, I did the exact same thing to an 89 ts6m about 20 years ago. Paid a couple hundred in deductible and it was covered. Haven't been back in that river with my boat since...

Sorry for what I know is a dull topic, but I have had an awful time with boat insurance and hope someone can point me in the right direction. The primary piece through SkiSafe or Global Marine is easy enough, but my umbrella provider specifically excluded the boat which got me looking. After weeks of back and forth, I was able to find one but they exclude use in the slalom course, so not much help. FYI, Progressive had an exclusion on the primary policy! SkiSafe and Global Marine have been no help in the umbrella space. What are the rest of you doing?

I'm with "6balls"- it's the misplaced optimism... In fact, I was on a borrowed ski for a brief period this season and I still got that optimism without the $1-2k of guilt. When I got my primary ski sorted out, I got that optimism again and it is sticking around this time!

I've got a new slalomer in the family (nephew) and will probably start with a ski the kids can share as his sister and my two boys will be right behind him. Is 62' the right size for an 8 year old? I think he's 70 lbs. Not many options under 60"

Torn between +2 and same old crap so I settled with +1. Posted a good tournament score and PB in June 3@38 but have missed more -35's than I'd like to admit since and have only skied the one tourney. Glimmers of hope in the last week. Hopefully the slump will end shortly!

@ Than- Run them over at whatever line length you want, I've tried several:) See you in a couple weeks

Than, I highly recommend the Wally buoys for a public lake. A much less complicated and vulnerable design, cheaper too! Come try them out at Dubes...

I went from a Prophecy (2009?) to a Fusion late last year and couldn't be happier. It wasn't a six buoy miracle but I'm far more consistent in getting to my top end. It smoothed out my offside so much that I often feel my offside is now on the other side of the course. That said, if you get on the tail it's tough to get back into a pass.

I have these on two courses the initial feedback has been positive. I will say they seem to sting a bit more when you hit them with a shin but they displace nicely when you hit them with a ski. That's what matters anyway. Wally is a great guy, tremendous follow through. I run the buoys on both a fix anchor and a wallysinker course. Just be careful not to over-inflate. Than- sorry to hear about Mike. Hope he has a speedy recovery.

Doc's pro plugs are the way to go. Vented with a leash. I even had a set stitched to the back of my vest. I've blown my ear drum many, many times. Make sure you get some antibiotics to prevent infection.

I have two young kids and a 197. For me it's a great boat that does well on private pond as well as a relatively small public lake. We do use the open bow, but very carefully(low speeds and adults). Within the $15k price range however I would be looking for a late 90's 196. Great skiing and I'd compromise the bow before skiing.

I'm public on weekends and private during the week. While the reverse is probably more logical from a skiing conditions perspective, the family enjoys swimming and skiing in the big lake much more. And there are no snakes...

At what point are we giving the skier too many options? In my opinion, the typical tournament skier would be better off with less options as opposed to more. Admittedly I am just a class C hack, but the current system has 9 variables. +/- would make it 27.

At what point are we giving the skier too many options? In my opinion, the typical tournament skier would be better off with less options as opposed to more. Admittedly I am just a class C hack, but the current system has 9 variables. +/- would make it 27.

@dawg- curious how far those numbers deviate from factory? Haven't messed with mine yet, and I'm several loops farther back than you, but I'm more consistent at 35 than on my previous skis. Running a little more wing than stock due to cold water, but that's it.

@razor- do you have ZO in it? If so, how did you make it happen?