lb

having struggled through this before. I found the jump from 15off to 22 the hardest. A pro coach once told me at 15 off you need to work really hard for a longer time (you pull past the 2nd wake) at 22off you need to use the same amount of energy but for a shorter amount of time. you need to get all your angle and speed from the ball to behind the boat then start transitioning (using all the good advise above) I found that going from 15 to 22 I end up pulling to long and would end up trying to hook turn and hold on through the slack hit. now I just start the season at 22off and slower speeds

I sold my 02 196 gt40 last fall for 17,500 lots of hrs but great boat. bought it in 03 for under 22,000. replaced it with 09 197 loaded w/zero off for close to the same. both came from ski schools with around 1000 hrs and no problems.

pull the back panel in trunk and remove feed line put hose on it and siphon it out. (did one yesterday)

change the fuel filter and make sure the electrical connector on top of the pump is tight. take the drain plug out of the filter housing and use a screw driver to keep filter from spinning while you spin housing back on. the other issue that happens is the check ball on the outlet on the tank will get stuck. you will be able to tell if when you go to siphon the bad gas out of the tank, Then buy good gas, I had to do all these things but in over 1700hrs I never touched the injectors

I bought a 197 this year the wake and zero off surge is very sensitive to crew weight. over 450 to 500 lbs is noticeable over 600 is OMG. My old 196 wasn't as bad as long as you balanced the weight side to side. but I found myself lost at tournaments with the wrong boat draw.

We have used one of Ed's EZ slalom portable courses as a permanent for 12 years and always put on the novice balls and it keeps everything very true. we have done maintenance (changing clips and buoy lines and the main line once) for the cost compared to reliability and longevity it is pretty cost effective to buy one. not to mention if you have any questions about anything all you have to do is call Ed and he will tell you how to fix it. (we lowered our course PVC and mainline 18" to avoid damage from I/Os and keeps it cleaner)

skiboyny this is the vest I bought http://www.ebay.com/itm/360460420589?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I sink like a stone, just bought a BARE on ebay for short money lots of flexibility and weighs about 1/4 of what my O'neil does wet and floats me much higher in the water.

haven't tried the mid but got a wide ride 3 weeks ago and have been getting deep into 32 off after being stuck at 15off for years