greghayes

@booze - I believe that is exactly what the 668 was designed to do. When I bought mine direct from Acme, they steered me in this direction because it is the same as the 422, except that the additional cup lowers the RPMs (your post spurred my memory).

I had better luck on my 97 Nautique with zbox and the Acme 668. Something about lower rpm made the ride a little nicer.

My daughter is having good results with the HO "grifter" 62" at 23mph. Seems to be a solid platform.

Kids+ boat = open bow

+1 @skijay. I moved from an N1 to the XT over the winter and have enjoyed the reduced effort in the pulls that more than make up for the less snappy turn. It encourages the right habits. IMHO.

Now selling that same ski - if anyone is interested. This is a great 34mph ride.

 

http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&category=Slalom&postid=26215

 

+1 on Radar Theory - it is comfortable and wide, but can ski buoys too. Nice call @kona

New ski. Just did it myself.

Thanks for organizing this madness @horton! Donation coming your way. @mattp - gotta play to win.

I think we may be splitting hairs here. If people get interested in towed sports - they will find a way to make it happen. Most wont have access to a cable park, so they'll use a boat. Some will cross over or return to skiing. Vive la wakeboarding!

@brady has the right sentiment. More public exposure to towed sports will only help in the long run. We just need a little patience - eventually some of the boarders will cross back over to skiing again. @horton also has it right - I believe that wakeboarding is subsidizing ski and boat development with most manufacturers.

You should also consider a Nautique open bow 1997-2000. They are a little hard to find, but should meet all of your criteria as well. I just sold mine to get a ZO boat, but with PP SG, you get virtually the same pull as the best modern boats. Happy hunting.

AM doesn't like to lose - $10 straight up winner and $5 on Asher as my backup. Experience often beats talent as I see it. Good luck to all!

I had good luck with wake/turbulence improvements lowering the rpms on my old SN196. I am thinking the same might be true on the Malibu.

While its not a huge difference, I'd like to set my boat up as close to tournament condition as I can - so I am practicing as closely to tourneys as possible. I have a 515 in the garage and will be trying it out as soon as I get the boat back in the water.

 

I know there are closet Malibu experts on this board - don't be ashamed to comment on a thread other than a Nautique post (as a former Nautique owner I can attest). Thanks all.

The way I read the latest AWSA towboat evaluations, the Malibu TXI is approved for the 5.7 liter engine with the Acme 525 prop and with the 6 liter engine and the 515 prop.

 

Can you mix and match props in tournaments? And any other experience with different prop/engine setups would be appreciated.

Anyone here ever ski on this site? What time of year, what's the rotation like, how was it? I counted 49 docks on this site.

@horton - agreed. I am on the same lake as the owner and he is super conscientious about his boats. Definitely worth a look - and as a former Nautique owner of the same vintage, you won't find a better slalom pull out there for the money.

@edobermeier +1 on the Kodak - it is essentially a disposable camera - but is best for skiing because it records at 60fps with slow-mo capabilities

@rwskier - thanks for posting this awesome video!

 

Do you guys know of any buoys near Tucson? Or is all the action in the Phoenix area?

Growing up skiing on Shasta, I'd second @musclefixer comment that the Pit Is the best river arm when the water is relatively high. I'd pack a dry suit or full suit (assuming a heated shower) just to be safe. Enjoy the lake!

If you are looking to drop a few rpm - try the acme 668 (it's the 422 with a little more cup). It made my SN 97 wake butter smooth.

@eleeski - your comment is right on. I skied myself into shape on a vintage hull and then upgraded to a ZO ride. Vintage boats rock!

Trey Parker (South Park) owns a Malibu Response and has a ski hut (mansion) in Hawaii

There is a very well maintained 99 on SIA - http://www.ski-it-again.com/php/skiitagain.php?topic=Search&category=Comp_Boat&postid=21186.

 

I know the owner - very meticulous.