Bdecker

The TRA seems like a really compelling package for an entry level slalom ski. The price is definitely attractive. Sure, he’ll eventually outgrow the performance if you’re chasing buoys regularly, but it’s a decent place to start at a price comparable to a used one on ski-it-again. My son went from a combo-like slalom, to a 64” iconn (freebie) then down to a 59” Elite (SIA) when the speeds started to pick up. People told me the 59” was too short but he had a new PB just about every time he got it wet. Nice to be 10! He’s probably too big for that one this year so back to the drawing board... Once they are hooked, you’ll be shopping for new skis every year.

We have done au pairs for a number of years with our kids. Definitely has it’s ups and downs, but overall it has been positive for us. So far we have one that waterskied (successfully...), none have been boat driving material yet. My wife tells me it is about half the cost of a nanny but typically it is a full year commitment.

Wish we could get just 1 in New England!

Lots of interesting comments and ideas in this and many similar threads like it over the years. We’re very lucky to live in a region with a really strong class C presence, extremely friendly tournament scene, young kids competing, and historically good access to promos. All on natural lakes and ponds btw. Two years ago my boys started alpine racing. I have been amazed by the number of conversations I’ve had with individuals/ families because they know we are waterskiers. If USA Waterski could cross promote with USSA or even Nastar it would be a fantastic off-season activity for their participants. It is a great group of competitive individuals with the drive and determination it takes to succeed in this sport. At our local hill, they have 80-90 skiers on 4 different nights in their corporate race series. It’s the same vibe as our class C’s but with 10-15x the participants. My goal for the summer is to get each of the people I talked to about waterskiing on snow behind the boat.

Would love to do another new promo but with all the program changes we have pulled our 2016 Carbon Pro promo from the market. From the looks of the weather here in the northeast it might be getting wet unusually early this year.

I’ve bought some ski stuff via SidelineSwap recently. They have a built-in shipping mechanism so you instantly know how much shipping costs, automatically tracking when the seller ships, etc. Would be great to see this functionality on Ski-it-again, although clearly Larry would need to get a piece of the action to make it work. Waterskiing is such a small sport that I’m reasonably liberal about trusting buyers and sellers without being totally reckless.

My Dad had an 02 F350 7.3 Diesel which he replaced with a 14 F250 6.2 gas. Both trucks “winter” at my house since he became a snowbird well over a decade ago. Great deal for me to have a truck to use when I need it all winter long, but I sure miss that diesel... The gas is just not the same in the low-end torque. You feel it driving everyday, even without a load. No doubt, it is still more than capable for a ski boat, but I know he seriously considered trading it on a diesel. Interestingly, the ride on the 250 is also horrible compared to the old 350. Perhaps it is the off-road package or lack of the extra weight upfront with the 7.3, but the 250 has rides really hard. Like @Fam-man, I do really like the Ford auto trans in its ability to seemlessly jump to manual selection with a touch of the +/- on the shifter. The same button in my GMC Yukon does nothing unless I shift from Drive to Manual first. Small difference but I use it all the time in the Ford and almost never in the GMC. Better yet, get the Ram diesel with a proper 6 speed!

I believe the issue in 06 ZO retrofits is the introduction of catalytic converters in 07. The ECM required to operate ZO doesn’t work with Indmar motors pre-cats. I learned this researching ZO for an 05 Mastercraft but suspect it is the same for Malibu. 06 was the first “drive by wire” in Malibu. Mastercraft launched it in 05 and CC and Malibu launched it in 06. If ZO is important, I’d buy one that already has it.

@Chef23 - great to hear you are back on the snow! @bigskieridaho is spot on. I have the hotronics, lenz socks, and the boot gloves btw and all work pretty well but none will overcome a bad fitting boot. There is a guy up in Plymouth, NH - Paul Richelson who does an excellent job with boot fitting. After trying in vain for 8 years to keep my wide foot warm in a narrow pair of Salomons, I went to them for a foot evaluation and got a list of boots to try based on my foot shape. Now I am in a pair of technicas (Mach 1 130’s I think- bright orange) that are by far the most comfortable boots I have ever had. Still need some tweaking but I’m in a great spot now with a great high performance fit that I race in for beer league yet still comfortable enough that days as a “race Dad” are fun. Plenty of local shops can get you set up, but i’ve had really good luck with Paul. He’ll give you options to work on what you have or point you in the right direction for new boots. As for the heater choices, boot gloves are the best bang for the buck by far. The Lenz socks are more effective than Hotronics but a pain to wash and maintain. 95% of days I just use the hotronics.

Interested in one for my 05 Prostar- the factory cover is brutal on the rear sun pads. Does the Tumacs solve the color transfer issue when up against vinyl?

Eden is great! Skied with Arthur on Tuesday.

It all comes down to access. I joined a local club in 2005 and that has done more for my skiing (and my son’s skiing) than any ski, coaching, boat, etc... The site is probably the best in our state and is the result of a couple guys 30 years ago knocking on a door and asking, “can we ski here?” Surely there are other spots like it, but they aren’t going to be obvious. Ours was a weed infested pond that has benefited tremendously from the regular boat path up and down our course. We do manage the membership number. I realize that might not be popular in this thread, but let’s face it no one wants to spend a full day at the lake/pond to get 2 sets in. I don’t consider us “old boys”, but anyone looking to establish themselves at a new site needs to think about what they “bring to the table”. It could be a boat, high level coaching or driving, or perhaps a willingness to fix that broken bouy or boat lift regardless of the water temperature. People that approach it with that attitude fit right in, we find time for those people all day long. Just be cognizant of what you are bringing to the party. Our skiers range from 28 mph to 39.5 off. All of our tournaments have filled to capacity in the past 5 years. As do the events north of us. Really happy to see a nice cross section of skiers; young, old, male and female. My goal over the winter is to repair and re-establish a course at my family’s lake house on public water. It will ski 6 bouys harder at least, but hopefully we’ll get a good collection of kids infected with the slalom bug (and get the wakeboarders to stay at the other end!)

Thanks @Ed_Johnson - I found the transition super easy and don’t think I need to fool myself with a taller liner any longer. I have been running a full liner since August with an R-style and no velcro. I actually have a brand new set of intuitions in my garage, but I kinda like the idea of a shorter liner if I can still run my footbeds. Maybe I should just take them to a tailor/seamstress and have her shorter it.

My intuition liner for the rear is shot, and i’m thinking of moving to a short liner in the rear (r-style boot already). Can you run footbeds in the standard reflex short liner? It is unclear if that is a moldable liner from descriptions I’ve seen.

What are the specs on the new battery? My sun stream has been behaving like that for a couple years. We are using solar to maintain it, but regularly need to remove the battery for a real charging. The lift was a Craigslist find so I have my doubts about the quality of the solar panel.

2 trips to Vail booked this season - Alta/Snowbird and Whistler last year, loved them both and if it were my choice I’d go right back this year. The rest of my crew needs Colorado this year for logistics. There will also be lots of NH and VT chasing my two little racers around as well. Hopefully some Maine too.

My last BMW CEL adventure was my wife’s 2011 335d. That one was not for the faint of heart. Great handling car but I don’t miss it a bit.

@BraceMaker - https://goo.gl/uYGWCR awesome spec for a wagon. Sure to drive you absolutely insane with CEL’s. Must be just about the last proper manual offered in a 5-series xi wagon in the US.

Another vote for theraband- if it is really bad you may need the green so you can work up to blue. I use it every season. I’m going to try switching up handle diameters and possibly alternating between bent and straight next season to lessen the repetition nature of it.

Tubes have been known to just go “pop”...

@jercrane - pontoon is the way to go in my opinion. Upgrading to a 200 is cool too but it really won’t dramatically change your situation. Certainly some subtle benefits from a wake/ tracking perspective, but if I recall you are primarily free skiing correct? We have a 197 and a pontoon at the lake and have managed to keep tubing a pontoon activity only so far. The oldest kid is 13 and we can still make it fun for him. When we have guests up or a big crew for skiing, we just stay close to the house and rotate the crew. Boat does get cramped with gear, and the storage in the gunnels like the 200, new Prostar, or new response is appealing. Eventually I will upgrade, but my 197 has been a great workhorse and I’m pretty vigilant about not burying the nose. Still happens occasionally... Good luck with the course refresh!

Here’s a decent looking comp. I think by 96 the wood floor and stringers might have been phased out? Loved my 89 Comp. https://www.facebook.com/groups/747223918707241/permalink/1583462368416721/?sale_post_id=1583462368416721

Cleaning out my garage- I have 7 course magnets. Free to anyone who needs them. Just send me a shipping label.

Watched a friend jump on an NRG this weekend in cold water after 2.5 weeks off, skied to within a buoy of his PB right off the dock. Looks like D3 is onto something again...

Not disagreeing with @LeonL, but I will share my perspective on the current hull. I was skiing 35 off in a 20+ mph headwind with mine yesterday. There is more spray than the 200 for sure, but not enough to be distracting at 35/38 for me. Everyone is different, and I truly hope to know someday if it is an issue at 39. Currently running a strong tailwind 38 feels a quite a way off for me. As for tracking, I can’t comment on pulling ultra short line skiers. The best I’ve pulled was mid-39, but he is pretty easy to drive. I think people read the forums, hop in the boat, and think they need to over-drive it. My experience has been minor corrections yield a good path. Again, my disclaimer is that with one exception most of our skiers are in mid 38 and longer category. In my opinion, the current boat is a really good value. Anxious to see what is next.