Jordan

I do think that there is a lot that a long liner can take from Seth's video, and it isn't where the edge change takes place. I agree with those that said you can't just do what Seth is doing. I think what can be gleened from the video, is just how easy the correct body position (after the turn) makes getting across the course. I am always amazed at how hard, fast and ineffective many long liners are. There are plenty of strong, hard turning, waterskiers who work extra hard but struggle with 15 and 22 off. Getting the hips/handle to the correct spot after the turn, getting stacked and having arms extended and close to the body. Establishing lean away from the boat etc. My take on it, is that the more lean away from the boat after the hook up, the earlier the edge change will naturally occur. In the end, the long liner will be doing this all later than Seth, but they could (with good instruction) emulate good body position, handle control and lean. After all, they don't have to ski as well as Seth to get through 15 off.

You have to lose the jet boats. They are simply horrible for kids to learn on. Frankly, most kids would do better behind an outboard if the camp can't afford an inboard. Jets surge just as the kids are at the critical moment in getting up. My brother has a jet boat and my nephew, who is both strong and athletic for his age, struggled mightily getting up behind that boat. Once I had him try on my Mastercraft he got up right away. Push for different boats. Almost anything is better than a jet.

@454SS that vintage of Prostar 190 has as good a wake as has ever existed. If it's windy and you are shorter than 35 off there are spray issues.

True But, not all engines can be converted and if the one in his boat has 3000 hours he needs either a full overhaul or new engine.

I think it depends upon how good the hull is. Let's say that the hull was great. A new interior is around $3,000 or so. Guessing that the new zero off engine will run you around 10,000. (Check with Jody) So you would have something like $18 000 into it. Now it looks like that year goes for around $14,000, but that would be without zero off and typically an old interior. Fixing the holes from the tower is no big deal. If you don't want to do it yourself, it should cost you less than what you could sell the tower for. So if its what you want it would turn out great and would be a completely dependable pull. If you do it - WE WANT PICTURES!!!

Bought a 1993 Mastercraft Prostar 190 with an LT1 and a trailer 9 years ago. It has been a fantastic boat. I have since redone the interior, but other than that just regular maintenance. Paid $10,000 for it and doubt that I'll ever sell it.

When your buddy picks up the boat gas :-)

What weight range and speed would that suit?

Have friends who use one of those neoprene floats for boat key chains tied to the strap on their glasses. At least they don't sink.

I think weight does matter, but I think of it differently. First of all, when the ski "swings" in the turn, it is actually carving, the shape of the ski is pushing against the water and the water is pushing against the ski. This is quite different than of you were swinging around a pole with the ski in the air. Second, I think when the edge change happens there is a moment of unweighting. At this moment I think ski weight makes a big difference. Anyhow, seems most of is think light is good.

Holy !! Nice skiing John!!!!

Funny about the new ski boats. I like my friend's 2008 197 very much. My kids who ski at 30mph, 15 off greatly prefer the wake on my 1993 Mastercraft 190.

wow...he seems to be out of shape at the end of virtually every turn...yet is somehow in a perfect pulling position about a half second later.

A coach once told me, "we want station wagon turns and ferrari pulls...not the other way around"

Than...really good job! That article passes on very important information with a great deal of clarity, well done!

The tip that helped me "get it" regarding a leveraged position was to lean as opposed to pull. Pull, mad me think that I should pull with my arms...good for your biceps, bad for your skiing. Leaning, allowed me to ski with extended arms down at my hips, to employ my skeleton rather than my muscles to resist the boat, and to generate speed that felt totally in control. The best drill was to practice leaning by pulling out from just outside the wake and then drifting back to the foam, over and over again. First on one side then the other.

http://images.canadianlisted.com/nlarge/slalom-water-ski_4524172.jpg

Mouth guards are logically thought to reduce concussions, though there is very little evidence to support that. Jackski...99.9% of mouthguards used in hockey go over the upper teeth. There is one model that covers the lower teeth. Though helmets are imminently sensible, and they do protect the exterior of your melon from getting crushed, most concussions are the result of the brain sloshing around in your head and hitting the inside of your skull. Helmets in every sport simply don't have enough cushioning to slow your head down slowly enough at impact to prevent most concussions. If you go out the front at 60 mph, and your head is accelerating faster as it whips towards the water, there is very good likelihood of injury. I am actually amazed at how rare head injuries are in our sport.

1) elbows tucked into your vest,as you head into the pre turn 2) keep two hands on the handle until edge change is completed after the second wake These two thoughts are what worked for me.

why are you laughing at my advert?

Go work for a large company (I do) and a small company (I have). while large companies in theory have large resources available, it doesn't always work out that way...time lines, departmental specific budgets, politics, quarterly reporting pressures, the relative sway that your department or product holds within the company; all of these things affect what you can and cannot do. In a small company, communication is wide open and easily achieved, changes can be made on the fly, you are much closer to the end user of your product. There are many more things and great things (and bad things) can come out of both arrangements, but don't ever assume that bigger is better. Particularly in a small run niche product like a high end slalom ski. Look at the father of the industry Herb O'Brien, he has founded three major ski companies, and twice has sold them and moved on, only to open another small shop. If you were looking for a fine meal, would it always be served by a chain? Or would you do better at a small bistro with a terrific chef?

Here is a complicated sounding fix...but it will work. Put a check valve in (you want a metal one...not plastic)...in between the motor and the lift. Okay, so now the water won't get back to the motor BUT you need to let the air out while the water is filling. The solution for letting the air out and not the water, is to drill and tap the body of the pipe that holds the check valve on the boat lift side...then install a schraeder valve (like the kind you see on tires) with the spring pulled out. without the spring, it will let air out, but will close will close once the water hits it. With both the check valve and schraeder valve closed you will have no water leakage. This system is used on drain back water systems at cottages here in the great white north....same design needs.

Two centavos... IMHO...Hips trailing is a symptom...not the actual problem. A wise waterskier once told me that you can't do two things at once when waterskiing. You are either turning, or pulling....not both. I believe that trailing hips are a symptom of failing to complete the turn when you start the pull. Your hips have to be skied back to the handle in order to start pulling in a stacked position. If you begin pulling in an unstacked position the boat will pull your arms and torso forward. The result is trailing hips or an OTF. In order to make all of this work, I also believe that you need to keep both hands on the handle to initiate the edge change AND (read Bruce Butterfield's article on handle control) that in the pre-turn you need to glide outbound on your inside edge, elbows tucked in. That sets up a patient and complete turn...which leads to a stacked pull, which leads to a great edge change...blah, blah, blah....

91-94 had a softer wake, but had spray issues at deep shortline; or, 32 or below if you were skiing into the wind. The '95-'97, solved the spray issues, but the wake hardened a little. Great overall boat though. LT-1 is a great engine.

YES.... It also allows you to practice better and longer. More balls with more energy in practice kills less balls and being gassed half way though your second pass. Trust me, tried it both ways.