skiinxs

I don't know what the price will be for the single puck or harness, but I am always happy to reflash head units for anyone close to me or who brings their boats to tournaments I am at (for free).

@eleeski "Having worked countless college trick events, trying to save time with opposite end docks won't work. So many skis are shared (between men and women), enough release people are needed and the team comraderie and support make splitting the events impractical. Tricks now run about as fast as we can shore judge them." We have been doing this for several years and it has really made tricks fly by, which is a huge help in some of the larger tournaments. I agree that it would put a strain on live judging, but when using video and swapping cameras or cards out, the judging can catch up while pulling jump. The skiers seem to be able to work out the ski sharing and release person, as it hasn't been any more of an issue than the "If I fall you have to come back and get my ski" situation that I encounter at sites with only one starting dock. Dave

Starting dock at each end of the lake, men at one end women at the other end works great for one pass tricking. No deadheading as you pull a different skier each way.

Version R so far, not sure if anything else was tested at the boat test this week.

@dbutcher - Very good reviews from the jumpers. They felt that the 5.3 got the job done.

One thing I forgot to mention above. The 6.0 that I was comparing to was by far the strongest 6 liter I have ever had, and it was my 12th Nautique with a 6.0.

Less than the 6.0

I did a back to back comparison between my '15 - 6.0 and a '16 - 5.3 with two very strong 35MPH men 2 jumpers. One jumps in slalom mode, one in jump mode. Both jumping in the 170's. For the one jumping in jump mode, no problem getting 5.19's in the first segment on either boat with a 4 power factor. For the jumper jumping in slalom mode I had to crank the power factor up to a 5 to get 5.20's on the 6-liter. (would probably have gotten to 5.19's with a 6 power factor but didn't have enough jumps to get there) I put the power factor on a 5 with the 5.3, same letter, and also got 5.20's. The 5.3 felt like it had lots of torque as well, way more than a 5.7. There is no way a 5.7 would pull those times with those jumpers, The 5.3 at 35.4 feels pretty close to the 6.0 in torque, so I would expect torque/feel at slalom speeds of 34.2 and 36 to be pretty close to the 6. (I haven't pulled any slalom with one yet and missed the season skiing because of injury, so I can't weigh in there) Before the horsepower numbers came out I had guessed around a 30-40 hp difference between the two based on the top end being around 3 mph lower on the 5.3. When they later published the horsepower at 355, I feel I was pretty close. My gut tells me it is underrated a little in horsepower, probably around 370-375.

Same or at least comparable driver?

Assuming you were running actual times with PP?

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I completely agree that the main causal factor in the downard spiral of three event skiing is the introduction of private lakes. As Marcus so masterfully stated, there is no exposure for the younger prospects that in his days as a kid, and my days as a kid quite a bit earlier. I shared his feelings of amazement as a kid the first time I saw a good open water slalom skier and later a good course skier. That lit a fire under me which still drives me to this day. The causes of the movement to private lakes also need to noted. I can remember as a kid learning to ski on Table Rock Lake. Later learning to slalom ski, and even later learning to ski on a trick ski. At that time (going way back to the 60's) skiing was the main towed watersport and you would see skiers in the coves and even skiing down the main channel. Flash forward to a few years ago, the last time I was at that lake. I was amazed that every boat dock I saw was full of boats and almost each boat had a big tube in it. As I looked down the main channel as far as I could see and in almost every cove there were multiple boats, most 24' or larger, with their noses pointed at the sky, endless going in circles pulling tubes creaiting non-stop very large rollers in all directions. The tubing popularity is part of what I consider the "dumbing down of America". Where the majoity used to do an activity that required some skill and had a potential for goals and growtn/improvement, now we have a large percentage of the population that has the skill of being able to lay down and ride a tube. Unfortunatly this activity greatly hinders activities for those that want to ski, or do other towed watersports. Some of these other towed watersports also reduce conditions to being unskiable, but at leaast they are doing something that takes some skill and has a path for goals and improvement. I believe those are the factors that have caused many to move to private lakes. The vast majority of the public thinks skiing is dead. We know it isn't dead, it has just moved out of sight. Now the kids, possibly the tubers, see wakeboarding and wake surfing and many will gravitate in that direction if they have any ambition to do anything other than lay on a tube. I am part of the problem, as I haven't skied or had my boats anywhere other than private ski lakes for years. I also like to think I am part of the solution, as I have spent a gread deal of time over the last few years dragging my boats to collegiate tournaments, as well as spending many hours driving and helping out at those tournaments. I have also remained in contact with many of the collegiate skiers after they finish school, regurlarly pulling many at my lake. There is no doubt that the kids are the future of the sport. The CanAm that is held at our lake showcases some of the great talent that exists in the kids, many of whom have gone on to become world class and even world champion skiers. How to get young demographic exposed so they get that internal fire and decide to themselves "I want to do that" has become very challeling due to the water conditions on public lakes. In all of the years I have been a spectator, then skier, then helper, the most fun I have ever had at a tournament was this summer at the first tournament I personally envisioned and held at our lake. It was the kids that made it fun. On the final round of jump the kids had worked themselves up into a excited mob as they all started hitting PB's. Each kid knew that this was the day to get it done. Conditions were perfect. Everyone was jumping great. As I dropped each jumper at the starting dock I let them know how many letters I had to crank them up on the second and third jumps. Then the distancee came in over the radio and all started screaming again as it was yet another PB. The next jumper KNEW he was also going to PB. I have never seen so much adrenaline in a water ski tournament. Once again this was the most fun I have ever had with anything related to skiing, and it was all about the kids! They are the future. http://skilodivineyards.com/

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Well, how about using an 8-ball course (ski the last 6 each way) instead of the 4-ball?

I would expect the DI 6.2 to be very, very strong. If you need even more grunt you might consider having them put one of the three blade jump props on it for you to try. Those are 13x14, I believe that the Acme part number is 1458.

That is funny because in '92 my (first) wife talked me into Teal as well. That was one of the four or 5 out my 30+ inboards that haven't had some red in them. I was fortunate to sell it in the fall, because it would have been a bear to sell even the next spring due to the color going "out of style".

Zora Arkus-Duntov, who many say is the father of the Corvette, is quoted as saying "All Corvettes are red, the rest are just mistakes". Seriously though, of the thirty plus inboards I have had, all but three or four have been red or at least had some red in them. I must like red:)

The .06 still had a throttle cable. Since initial start is ok and the problem only manifests itself going in and out of gear, I would start with a check / adjustment of the throttle cable. Open the motor box, open the slide on the ball connector on the throttle cable connector at the throttle body, make sure it is not touching the throttle arm, and shift in and out of gear. If it still does it, that isn't the problem. If it works correctly with the throttle disconnected, readjust. Make sure there is some pressure on the throttle arm when in nuetral. Also, make sure the throttle cable moves freely and is not stiff/sticking.

I was viewing on my phone and must have hit a dislike with my big fat thumbs, sorry didn't mean to, I think I just fixed it. I haven't used lake dye before, but have considered it. Just added a bunch of grass carp, but it will probably be a couple years before they have a lot of impact.

Great looking Nautique in the shot above :) Seriously though, great bunch of collegiate skiers at the event skiing in some pretty tough conditions.

I have had one 5.7 200 and am on my 5th 6.0 200. 5.7 Data: With the stock (in 2010) 12.5X14.25 approved prop after break-in it would run 39.9 mph gate down and 41.1 gate up (rev limiter limited with gate up). With a 12.5x15 (current approved prop for the 5.7) it would run 40.9 gate down and 42.6 gate up (NOT rev limiter limited). Once I topped 100 hours and switched to Royal Purple synthetic oil (I like to get at least 100 hours of break-in before I go synthetic to ensure they are completely broken in) it would run 43.4 gate up. This was a back-to-back test at the lake, same day, same wind, same temp. I made a top speed runt at 42.6 on Dino oil, changed the oil to Royal Purple synthetic then ran a top speed run of 43.4. 6.0 Data: All five of my 6.0's would run 47 or better with the gate up. My '14 and '15 both seemed a little stronger, running 49 or slightly more. The 6.0 is a MUCH better match for the 200. I highly recommend it. Also, if you are going to be barefooting, it is the only way to go.

Run 43? I want to see that!

Tugboat - PM sent detailing the seven private sites within a 70 mile radius of downtown St. Louis.

gmpowertrain.com/MarineEnginesControllers/ProductPortfolio.aspx With 2015 being the last year for the marine small block Chevy (5.7) I noticed in the Correct Craft press release today that "GM Marine Technology is a title sponsor of the Masters" In the press release it is mentioned that "Masters attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the all-new power options for 2016 ". It will be interesting to see which of the new direct injected engines will make it into our boats. Their web site published specs, including horsepower and torque. I think the final tune by PCM changes those specs somewhat, but they do appear to be healthy and LIGHT with their aluminum blocks. Cost will be another interesting facet. It will an interesting year......

GAJ0004 question: "What is the best trailer, Phoenix, Ram-Lin, or Boatmate? " In my opinion Heritage makes the best trailer for the 200. Solid construction, never quality issues as in some others, looks good, and fits the boat the best. Load and unload with no interference with the spray rails.