Sethro

A couple of weeks ago, I skied a 67” Radar Union at 6’5” and currently about 235. Compared to my 69.5” Vapor, I was pleasantly surprised. So much so I’d love to try a 69” with my own bindings. I think I’d choose the Union, as you’ll be able to progress faster in my opinion. Those huge shaped skis are good for getting up and going straight. Worst case scenario use a drop ski till your back in the swing of things.

I’ve been wondering about this myself. One of the main reasons I’ve talked myself out of a couple of newer boat opportunities is because I spend so much time skiing a river with variable current speed. Adjusting for a variable current with zero off/stargazer is an absolute pain. It’s bad enough to calculate what speed we need up vs down river, but when you factor in slower in the wider spots, faster around the bend, faster in that narrow chute, etc, etc it is quite annoying.

I can’t imagine it happening in a new boat such as yours, but I once fought an overheating issue and eventually tracked it down to the insides of the exhaust hose had collapsed causing a major flow restriction.

@ScottScott I recall a story on BOS of a collegiate skier (jumper I think) that ended up with her head through the handle and survived. But I don’t remember much detail.

I’m maxed out for the weight range. About 230lbs or so. This is a typical stance for me I’d say. I’ve always concluded it’s my technique and not my fin that’s the problem. But of course that’s without trying different fin settings.

I was just messing with binding placement last weekend. I ended up moving one hole forward in a quest to do exactly what you're talking about. Didn't really help though, water still doesn't break in front of the front binding even when I over exaggerate and ski straight behind the boat trying to do it. Even taking my rear foot out of the RTP and skiing entirely on my front foot didn't yield water breaking in front of my front foot. I'll have to try a similar fin change. I'm just not a fin tuning type of guy. I set it to stock settings nearly 6 years ago and haven't change it since. I've verified a few times it hasn't moved least.

I've been on a 2016 69.5" Vapor since I purchased new in 2016. I'm really thinking Senate is my next ski, and I'm intrigued by the lithium vs. pro build. The 2016 Vapor has the PVC core, so any comments if I'd really notice a difference in the Senate lithium vs. Senate pro build? Ok, I'll say it...is there really a $600 difference in performance with the PMI core?

Good grief, I like my now 24 model year old 32off wake and antiquated technology even better. Manufacturers have made the boats bigger and more friendly inside, but it just doesn’t get any better behind the boat than this in my opinion. I almost upgraded to a 2012 TXi last summer, but my rationale was it doesn’t get any better behind the boat than I’ve already got with my diamond hulled 98 Echelon.

I have a brand new one of these as well. I think I’ll try to find someone to make bigger panels, as this one doesn’t come close to fitting.

It dropped. Just checked with my friend in Australia and it dropped there too ?

@UWSkier are you going back to a Vapor?

Gas caps catch the rope too…at least on the ‘19 I ski behind often. Appear to be still the same anyway. They really need to lose the carpet on the bottom of the engine box. My friend the owner hates that the rear floor panel won’t come up with out taking the engine box with it.

@Miltaryman be certain on the year of the Sunsetter. It didn’t get the SV23 hull until 1995. The Sunsetter was a foot longer and 3 inches wider, but the sides are flared from the bottom up and most of the length is out of the water at speed…..so it’s basically the same wetted surface area while skiing as the 93-97 Echelon, just 400-500 pounds heavier.

After an unfortunate incident while trick skiing a couple years ago, my ML ergo handle and rope found its way to the bottom of the river. My new ergo handle floats.

One of my buddies that initially scoffed at such a big trick ski. As you can see, it’s proportionally about the size I should be on ?

DON’T look over, but that guy driving the green Ski Nautique is checking you out. Just be cool.

I had to switch last summer because of an injury. It took a few sets to have the confidence to push it, but I don’t think I’d go back to my old grip even if I could. But, according to you all I was apparently holding the handle wrong for the last 35 years anyway.

I'm curious on what you are thinking the weight range is for the XL at 34mph? I'm 6'5" 230-240 lately and likely in the market.

I foolishly passed on my buddy's 2012 TXi last fall when he upgraded to a 2019 TXi. He had to replace that touch screen @oldjeep mentioned just prior to selling. I think they all have that touch screen on the lower right. The option was the large touch screen in the middle I think. Price was ridiculous...I think $1200 but can't remember for sure. For comparison sake, it had the 5.7, 600 hours, Zero Off, and overall immaculate condition for 30K. Dealer put it on the lot for 39K but I don't know what it sold for.

Radar Vapor requires no soap. I’ve been using them since 2012 and absolutely love them. I always wait for a closeout deal on a year or two old yet still unused binding....usually less than half price. Moved my way up to a 2018 for next year.

I think I’ll take the docks out and winterize tomorrow. Have some forecast lows in the teens next week which is my typical trigger. But got out one last time today.

Honest question: Was that actually a shot at someone running 2.5@39 in a pro tournament because of some tip rise or is there an inside joke some of us are missing?

Just in case you are wondering about switching your grip, I had to switch my grip this summer and although quirky for a few sets it quickly became a non-issue. I'm still not able to return to my "normal" grip from the last 35 years, but even if I could I don't believe I would at this point.

@The_MS that is awesome. Makes me question my sanity for being excited about the 46 degree forecast high tomorrow with light winds.