jjackkrash

So it looks like fin really long, fin moderately deep, but bindings farther forward to compensate.  

1 hour ago, aupatking said:

@Hortonthoee L/D numbers are sick, straight off the dock first set

Care to elaborate?   "Sick" sounds like a ringing endorsement.

On 4/4/2024 at 7:37 AM, ColeGiacopuzzi said:

@C5Quest

for 66" Id try:

29 11/16 vapor boot

2.480

6.945

.745

And for 68" if you have them?  Thanks!

I agree with liquid d.  I suggest listening to Spraymakers Season 4, Episode 12, Gates, then rewatching your video, then repeat listening to episode 12, like 30 times, until what they are saying really sinks in.  Bottom line, you need to get higher on the boat in the glide and then turn in with more speed in better position before the boat grabs you to set up the rest of the pass.  

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spraymakers/episodes/Gates-e25suv8

That sucks on sizing.  You might be able to find some XL Radar Vector boots discounted somewhere on closeout, which supposedly fit up to size 14, if you can't find something cheaper.  Maybe somebody will chime in with some better/cheaper options.    

I think the Pandas were for repeating the debunked false hope of some hot-selling cheap ski boat to save the sport made by some fantasy-land manufacturer who builds ski boats for purely altruistic reasons and has shareholders who are pleased when management builds boats in the hopes of selling lots of them for a loss.   Not the tool comment.  

I tried out a '22 67" Senate Pro this weekend.  It's a very nice ski, very stable.  Free skiing at 34 MPH / -28.  The '24 68" Vapor seems faster cross course but a little less forgiving of mistakes.  I am sub-194 pounds right now hopefully heading into the high 180s in the next week or two.   I am looking forward to running both skis through the paces this year especially when the water warms up.  50-degree water can be a little deceiving as to ski characteristics as the water warms up.  I am pretty sure the 69"ers are too big for me at least at 34 mph and sub 200 lbs.  

40 minutes ago, DaveD said:

Someone told me the other day that prices are being advertised "1/3 off".

"1/4 to 1/3 off" was the pre-covid standard forever.  The RV MSRP prices are more fake than even boats.  Then Covid hit and they started charging MSRP or even over.  Good for them but it was a windfall.  I see "1/3 off" as a return to normalcy.  (Although I don't know the actual state of the industry as a whole).  

My .02 cents:  it is hard to focus on so many tips.  But he is squatting and/or on his back foot all the time and using his back foot to turn in.  We generally don’t let kids in the course until they can stand up on the ski in the right position for the gates, i.e., hips up, chest up, tall, weight on front foot and balanced.   Until a skier can at least stand in the right position behind the boats and for the gate glide it is hard to worry about anything else.  Balance, balance, balance, balance, before anything else.   Once the kids get this the rest comes a lot easier.  

If Jacinta Carrol or her surrogates are reading, I would like her to know I had my boy listen to that two hour podcast more than once last year for the express purpose of hearing what it takes to be the best on the planet at your sport.   She's one of the all time great female athletes in any sport, IMO, even if the masses are not aware of waterski jumping generally.  So, big time tip-o-the-hat to Jacinta Carrol.

When Iron Mike was mowing down chump after chump in 3 seconds flat he was still the baddest man on the planet.  Jacinta mowed everyone down for over a decade.  You can't ask for anything more.  

Thanks!  I had the app on the Apple TV but it wouldn't like stream.  So this is a help.  

@MIskier, I have done that on the first cut, first ride on a new ski when I mismeasured the binding setup.  I ended up eating the the tip, damaging the ski with my teeth, and needing dental work.  So I feel your pain.  

Two conditioning free-ski rides Yesterday, air 50ish, water 42.  Looking forward to next weekend; after 5 straight days of rain and wind we are supposed to get a big warm up and very little wind.  

Don't forget the Ski Brendella!  (Started using an MC hull mold IIRC).  

On 3/6/2024 at 7:31 PM, WoodySkier said:

I’m about 190 and ski 22-28 off at 32 mph.  I’m on a Senate Pro and it is an awesome ski. 

What size?  I hit a dry 194 today and have a 67" coming.  I am motivated to keep cutting into the 180s.    

Although I got two free-ski sets in on the '24 68" vapor today in 42 degree water and even in the miserable cold water this ski feels like a real winner.  

Check the motor mounts and make sure it's secure and there's no cracks, etc.  Grease the rudder and check all the running gear/throttle/steering connections. These things all wear out and you want solid and smooth inputs from the helm to the propeller and rudder.  And get a wrench on the ski pylon bolts and make sure it's tight.  IMO.  

I love that Dewalt is advertising on the broadcast.  

Don't forget to drive the boat.  Lots of boats are great from the handle but the driver needs to put it down the middle and be comfortable doing it.  And as the boat ages so does the steering and throttle (unless that has been replaced) and other items.  I ski behind some well taken care of old boats, but there is a wide, wide range of conditions of these boats as they age.  

4 minutes ago, Horton said:

@jjackkrash I strongly suggest you try the Long/Deep. Because I am a little pig-headed, I struggled to find the right settings on this ski. Once I landed on these settings I found how really good the ski is.

Are you on a 67 or 68?  It needs to get a little warmer before I play with settings but I will come back to this thread in late April.  

2 hours ago, jjackkrash said:

I got the new vapor set up long/deep and stock binding settings; now if it wasn't mixed snow and gale warnings out I'd take her for a spin.  😞

Edit, g*d damn it, typing too fast and thinking too slow.  short/deep.  2.500/6.845/.760/30 1/4  

I got the new vapor set up long/deep and stock binding settings; now if it wasn't mixed snow and gale warnings out I'd take her for a spin.  😞

35 minutes ago, thager said:

@jjackkrash I am same wt. as you and skied a 2019 67" Senate Pro until last year. Ran into -35 @ 34 on it. 

I have a 67" coming mid march to try.  And I am going to cut some between now and then so thanks for the encouragement.  

@lefty he's been on a version of a Senate as long as I can remember and now on last years Senate Pro.  Not sure what he's demoed or not demoed.  He's around 175 IIRC with some seasonal fluctuation upward a bit on 67.  So light to middle of the size chart.  Which is one reason why I wish there was a 68 senate to try for my 200 lbs. frame (196 last night before carb up yeah!).  

7 hours ago, Fam-man said:

A suggestion would be to listen to one of the Spraymakers Podcast gates episode.

 

Better yet, listen to all of them, over and over again.  🙂

At the risk of overstepping, I have been told by several Radar insiders that if your max speed is 32 and you are not super short line you want a Senate; but the Vapor is the better ski for 34 and 36 in most cases.  But, you can still ski on a Vapor at slower speeds if it's sized right.  So if you start at 30 and progress into 34 or 36 nothing wrong with going Vapor. 

That said, my buddy skis exclusively at 34  and no slower and runs deep into -35 and is looking hard a -38 and you could not pry his Senate Pro out of his cold dead hands.  So, really, I think the answer is get them sized right for your application and give them both a try.  I personally think I'd be on a Senate if they made a 68.  But I am also going to try the 67 that I have coming just to see for myself.