Bdecker

Set #4 yesterday and for the first time in the 11 years I’ve been skiing 34, the purple loop went down with no caveats (I’ve run a few slightly slow). Still running stock settings and boots at 29.75”. Offside took a set or two to get right but feels awesome now. Onside is tremendous. I’m finding wider and early lines than ever.

First 2 sets on mine, settings are stock 67” and I’m super impressed. My off-side is not quite there yet compared to the C85 I’ve been riding, but the on-side was absolutely killer. Right up to my practice norms off the dock, and within a buoy of my all time best in set #2. Great job Radar! This is the third new ski I’ve been on this season and I instantly felt at home on it.

I’ve done it several times on each side and still hear better than my wife I think… she’ll tell you the opposite of course. Wear SurfEars plugs every set now because it sure does hurt!

@jercrane - you can scavenger some old ones from us if you like. If you are only 10ft deep or less even if they lose some air you can just help them up with a boat hook and swap them out.

Great ski, my friend dropped one off for me to try last week, he might not be getting it back…

@Stevie Boy - I’ve just started to experiment with the NRG R2 from a 2020 Vapor. It worked great the first two sets, particularly on the offside which felt tighter than my Vapor. I was exiting my onside a bit tail heavy, but that is likely the pilot…. Will update later this week after a few more rides.

@andyp - where in southern NH is the boat? Might know a couple guys that can help. I’m definitely not one of them if you want it to run at all…

Great looking boat! @Horton, how about some more pics? I’m definitely on the fence about a tower on my build but with kids who occasionally wakeboard it seems like it would be nice to have with little downside except it’s a pricey option!

Both of my boys are on Radars currently. The older and more competitive is on a 63 ProBuild and the younger more recreational skier is on a TRA. Both have been great rides for the boys and they have each progressed on the skis. I’ll likely move the younger guy up to the probuild when his brother outgrows it. No reason to believe they wouldn’t have progressed on any other brand because we certainly didn’t try anything else, but the Radars have held up great. The TRA is a fantastic value.

@m_pags - what an awesome spot! Thanks for hosting us. It was so much fun to get the first few rips of the year in with you. Amazingly skiable in the strong winds too! Here is my take on amenities: For our site we have a gazebo for shade, small locked gear/ changing shed, lockable gas storage, WiFi, and a regularly serviced porta potty. All of that works pretty well and keeps us in reasonable shape throughout the season. We do not have a club boat, but that has more to do with our 30 year history than what actually makes logical sense. I’d definitely do a club boat if starting from scratch. Not necessary in my opinion to have a current year hull for slalom, current speed control is nice but not essential for off-season (your Malibu felt great yesterday). Insurance is just the USA waterski + boat insurance and of course a good umbrella. We name the property owners as additional insured, but technically our water is State owned so you may need something more. Looking forward to skiing with you up north and in sunny Florida next winter!

Very interested to hear how this works out, is there a minimum length? We have a few spots that might be worth trying it in. It would be amazing to line a course on a public site with these but you’d be at $100k quick...

@MichaelWiebe - the used Porsche market is red hot right now just like the boat market! I’m sure I’m not the only baller who also watches Bringatrailer.com. Sale prices are nuts, especially for something with the right number of pedals. As for the boat conversation, I love our CarbonPro at the ski site, but would guess that very few were sold as retail boats vs promos. Perfect example that you can build the ultimate utilitarian machine for a slalom skier with a nice site and it still won’t sell. There are 2 nice ones on ski-it-again right now. One of the big issues I see for the 3 event market beyond build slots is usability on public lakes. Go put your Prostar, Nautique, or Malibu LXI on a public lake where 5 surf boats are running at all times. It’ll be a bone jarring experience. The beautiful 3-mile long lake I grew up on added a surf camp a few years back. In the 90’s you’d maybe groan at an occasional 21’ Four Winns, but we would slalom and barefoot all week behind the old Supra Comp. Now it is multiple 24’ barges filled with ballast 7 days a week and it takes a vigilant hand at the wheel to keep everyone dry in my 197.

@horton - that is exactly how I do it, so it must be wrong somehow! Can’t stand putting the cans in my car so we have an old hitch haul at the ski site. It’s a short drive but I’m certain I’ve passed cops before with this contraption.

+1 for skip’s cover. Have one on my 197 as well as our partner CarbonPro. Awesome products.

I think it fits all patterns but they are headed to @DW. I used it on a Connelly and D3.

Cleaning out my basement and I have a bunch of FM Quattro stuff that I no longer need. The shells have been scavenged for replacements on my current system, but there is a full plate system (great for trying a new ski / I paid at least $100 for it) as well as the partial plates. I should have some replacement release pins as well. Free / just provide me a shipping label and they are yours.

I have an 05 197 TT. With proper technique, the wake is an absolute non-issue. Some boats are slightly better or worse at speeds and line lengths, but I honestly think you can overthink it. Our 197 has been awesome and is built like a tank. Great boat especially for a public lake skier. Compared to the others you list, I think you’ll be taking a step forward on the wakes regardless.

The 59” Radar would be awesome! My son started on a 59” O’Brien Elite at about that age/size. He has since progressed to a 63.5” Vapor. He just might eek out a 3rd season on it.

How about strategies for adapting to less than perfect sites. Short set ups, glare, lack of 55’s, high buoys, visual distractions, courses that don’t seem accurate, backwash, etc... What do you rely on to make the most of sets (practice or tournaments) where things are a little “off”?

Last set of the NH season for me this past Saturday (59 degree water). When we sat down at the end of the lake I told my driver (@Ali) that this must be the most mistakes I could ever cram into a -35 off pass. All started with folding like a lawn chair out of 1...

If the “set” is for the whole boat I’d buy it, especially if you will keep the boat for a while. I had a set (all letters, just one side + transom) for my 197 and you will use them over the years...

Might try a little more trans fluid. Our response was super sensitive to being a little low on fluid. Almost as if the dipstick was intended to be read without screwing it in- threads resting on the hole. We were getting a clunk years ago after a dealer fluid change, added a little more and viola! I do not believe there is a risk in adding more fluid beyond it possibly venting into the bilge.

@"Pat M" cats are chasing dogs here in NH!

We’ve got a case of musical skis going in NH currently. I’ve been riding C75 for the past couple of weeks. Thanks to @jercrane. In the meantime @pcmcon729 has been riding my Vapor. Not sure I’m serious about a long term change, but it has been fun to play around with something new.

I’ve got 5 sets on @jercrane ‘s C75 (medium/ standard flex). He was kind enough to let me try it while he heals up. Currently at 28.5 on the front boot, 6.790, 2.50, and .90 dft. On my 2020 vapor I was pretty darn consistent through 35 last couple weeks, but getting nowhere at 38 (1.5-2)... Interestingly enough, I had removed the Denali fin from my Vapor in favor of the stock blade in August and found my consistency improve with a more predictable on-side turn with no loss in top end. The story on the C75 really isn’t much different so far in terms of where I am getting practice score-wise. What is interesting is I’m running passes @35 often in spite of some massive mistakes, maybe associated with still getting comfortable on the ski. This thing turns like crazy. I just can’t tell whether it raises the bar for me or if the same attributes that get me out of trouble so quickly are putting me there in the first place. I plan to keep playing with it until it gets too cold or the water gets too low. Should I go somewhere else settings wise?