jjackkrash

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.

I've heard from a number of different marine mechanics over the years that 1500 hours is about average on a marine gas V-8 before an overhaul if those are actually 1500 working hours, and not just idle or the key turned on listening to the stereo hours. I also hear a lot of anecdotal tales of engines going much longer, but I wonder about the actual usage of those engines.

My other hobby is powerlifting. I eat like a sum bitch from August until Jan. 1 and watch my PL numbers go through the roof along with my waist. Then I cut for ski season. IMO, cutting a pound every 2 to 3 days sucks but is totally doable. I weighed in at 228 Jan. 5 and was barely stuffing into size 38 jeans. Today I weighed in at 202 and my 36s are very loose. I'll be 190ish by April 1 and back in loose 34s or maybe size 32 jeans. I go effectively zero carb and pretty low cal six days a week and blow out one day a week with a large amount of carbs to keep me sane and keep my metabolism rolling. Like maybe 6-8kcals worth of carbs on re-feed day. I do almost no cardio; just weights (low reps, low volume, heavy) and a few sprints here and there. Once I hit my target weight, I'll start backloading carbs on lifting days post-training and increasing calories to maintain a sustainable target weight for ski season. IMO, "diets fail" when you lack discipline or don't understand how your body works. That said, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Each person has to find what works for that person.

Thanks. I will give Cotto a call next week. I appreciate it.

@connely_skis_inc: To clarify, I'm a old SOB and ski 34 because that's my speed, but I ski into -35 and never, ever ski 32mph. So I'm wondering if the rec on the GT vs. Carbon V still applies.

Connelly GT please.

@connelly_skis_inc: Does this advice apply to the new GT as well?

Wow, I want to try one of these.

I am looking for a new ski has well. The three that have my interest are the Connelly, The Vapor, and the new Syndicate Type V. I don't really get to demo skis, so I'm interested in any comments people have to offer as well.

I battle tendonitis all the time. My understanding is that it is related to inflammation. Any steps you can take to reduce overall or local inflammation may help. ART therapy might help; a cortisone shot might help; ibuprofen might help; limiting specific movements might help; supplementing with fish oil or curcumin might help; icing and heating might help; etc. Just make sure you don't let it get out of hand, because tendinitis can be a bear if it really takes hold.

@Cumby85. One of my ski buddies went from barely running 28 mph to running 28 off@ 34 mph on a Senate in about 2 seasons. I am on a Strada. Its a good ski, but frankly I skied better on my older Connelly F1. I am currently in the market for a new ski. I think either a Senate or a Strada would be fine, but I wouldn't shy away from the Senate.

I was probably still in shock after seeing a 24ft. Malibu "on sale" for $170k.

Lol, shows how observant I am.

I only saw one DD slalom boat in Seattle, an OB SN200. Did I miss one?

You have the right attitude, for sure. Get lean and mean and enjoy yourself! I'm cutting weight right now for ski season and I know how much it sucks, but its gotta get done. I'm 215 right now, down from 228 in December, but I need to get to 195 to 200 to ski my best and not get too winded. I should be 200 by March, April at the latest.

GT2003 stated: "I've never had any coaching but plan to head to the DFW water ski school this summer. So, just getting thoughts on what rope length to start with." FYI, I used to be a club member at Alan Hendricks' lake. He is a great coach and he's also task master. He is going to tell you what rope length to use and how fast to go, so don't worry about making these types of decisions. Just make sure you are in shape, because you are going to get a work-out in. :smile:

Ski boats aside, thank god I don't wakeboard. At the Seattle show the Malibu dealer had a 24 foot wakeboard boat "on sale" for $167k, and it looked like "optioned" it would push $200k. For about the same price, you could walk across the Isle and pick up an ocean-worthy 2014 new Boston Whaler 315 Conquest Pilot House with twin 300 Verados, kicker, full electronics, cabin, head, etc. I just don't understand where the cost on these wake boats come from.

@jayski, thanks! I'm curious what ski you are coming off of and how you like the new bindings. I'm on a Strada now and RS-1 bindings. I love the bindings, but I think the Strada isn't doing me any favors on my offside. And the RS-1 bindings are about at the end of their useful life. I skied consistently better on my older F1 with the same RS-1 bindings. I am hoping that a new ski will forgive some of my offside sins and that I can find bindings I like at least as much as the older RS-1s. Anyway, thanks for any thought you could share.

Any new news on this ski or any more people ski it? I'm in the market for a new ski and I don't usually get the opportunity to demo before purchasing. The HO rep at the boat show was really pumped about this ski and the new bindings. I'd say its between this and the Vapor or maybe a Connelly offering for me.

The Seattle Boat Show had one OB SN200. Pacific Nautique always brings a DD, so good for them. No other direct drives. Only one Centurion, total, and it was a big wake boat.

Check out the prop wash / you can see how quick they pop up at this size/weight.

The boy (six) graduated from his skimmer/trainer today and skied under his own power holding the handle! We have been starting him from the platform with the rope attached to the skimmer, so a deep water start with the handle and two skis was a pretty big step. I had to attach a set of zincs to the rear of the skies as ballast to get them to sink because the damn things were too buoyant. What a great day!

I got my replacements through Wiley's last fall.

@MattP, which ski for a hard-pulling old guy with a crappy offside turn? Most of my mistakes that keep me from running passes happen coming into 2 and 4 and result in lost angle. I feel like I have to be perfect on the Strada offside or it starts heading down course in a hurry. I didn't feel like this on my old F1.

Damn it. I don't get enough ski time to really demo both skis. I guess a coin flip is as good a way to decide as any.