jjackkrash

Both interest rates and gas are insanely low right now. If either of those variables change, I suspect manufacturers are going to have a much harder time moving $80-100K ski boats.

With the new model TXI out, is there a reasonable expectation that the 2015's and 16's will take a market-value price hit?

I would love to free ski, but its my boat, and I am the only one who seems to want to put gas in it.

@jhughes did you get a new boat? I am off and on here and must have missed that.

How long has Indmar been using Ford Motors?

I'm 5'10" and weigh anywhere between 200 and 220 depending on time of year and how committed I am to restricting carbs and calories. I ski at 34 mph. I have to stay below 220 to ski because that's about where a 68" ski just stops working for me. 200-210, 68" is great and skiing is a real treat; 210-215, the ski still works fine but I can tell I'm heavy and the ski's a little sluggish; 215-220, hey, I can ski but this kinda sucks; 220 or more, nope . . . time to go golfing.

Thanks for all the input. It seems like a 15 or 16 Txi might be a good value, especially if the new model depresses used prices a bit. There are at least two locally available with a 5.7, although it might be worth it to travel for the bigger engine, you know, just because, :)

So, the engine was moved forward in 2015 and this change improved performance? That's good to know, thanks.

I currently have a 2000 American Skier Volante with Stargazer. Its a decent tugboat, but has a few quirks and is close to needing a new interior (which I kinda like because I don't really have to worry about the kids beating it up). That said, I am considering upgrading to a 2014-2016ish promo boat. I am a 34 mph course skier who occasionally runs 32 off, but the boat also gets used as a family fun boat. So I need an open bow. Most of the guys in my club have older tugs so I don't have that much personal experience with the newer boats. Based on reading through stacks of threads, it seems like the consensus is the SN200 and Prostar both probably need the upgraded engine, except that the 2016 direct injection 5.3 SN200 has plenty of power, is this right? How are the TXi's with the 5.7? Still better to get the upgraded engine in the Malibus? I won't be pulling jumpers, but I also don't want to spend a stack of cash on anything that even resembles a piggy boat or that I have to wind out at high rpm to pull 36 mph skiers. (Although we are pretty close to sea level so altitude isn't an issue.) Any thoughts on engine options or anything else I need to look for or think about in deciding on a '14-'16 from one of the big three? Any year-specific quirks for a particular boat that I need to watch out for? Thanks in advance.

That's a slick video.

I see from many posts that I have some lines that aren't all that original. :) But I'll occasionally use "Make it so, Number 1: Engage." And When I'm too fat and someone timid is driving its: "Go!Go!Go!Go!More!More!More!More!More!More!"

Change the way you start. I used to chew through handles, but now I start with the ski more tilted to the side and just don't let the rope touch the ski. Its not that big of an adjustment.

No worries. I am going in for an MRI Sunday for most likely a blown or partially blown bicep tendon. Then I suspect I'll be under the knife. So its not like I'm in any real hurry. ):

Any chance you can squeeze 16 rides in today?

Woo Hoo!

Awesome!

No pressure. (Okay, some pressure.)

4 out of 4 on the GT seems like a pretty good endorsement.

Horton needs to nut up and get us a review of the GT. JMO.

Thanks, looking forward to the review.

Doesn't spring in Cali start in February?

I have been searching around for a 2015 Connelly GT review. I am thinking about picking one up. Its likely a GT or a Radar Vapor. Anyway, did Horton ever get around to reviewing this ski? Any other reviews or comments? I ran a few searches and didn't uncover much other than an unboxing. Thanks.

Its been a while, but we used to just pound wood golf tees in, break them off, and then re-screw.

@Horton or @anyone else: anyone have any time in this stick and care to offer a review?

I try and hit weights on all or most non-skiing days, unless and until my hands get too chewed up to do both or I start getting tendinitis. Usually by late July or August I'm done in the gym until mid september.