6balls

It will sell for the big offshore multi-outboard set.  Boats costing millions, what's $5k in a prop?

I hear on good info that the dig has begun, and there will be islands.   Can't wait to see it(and outfish you at the next opportunity my friend).

Seriously, if you get a Stokes properly sized for you-I don't think you will ever buy anything else.  Better fitting, more durable than anything I had owned prior.  Suits rock too--best shorty I've owned--Camaro was cool but not as durable(like no comparison--sorry being honest)  Stokes seem to run small order a size up.  I have no ownership/sponsorship interest and am trying to be as objective as possible.      

@Mastercrafternice set up.  I have 1100 hp sitting in that same kind of space(heated for winter) and go to the gym for the other equipment--$38/month 😃

@tjs1295love your blue Nautique! I think a Porsche Cayman may fit where the exercise equipment is located 😃

I'm not trying to be a dink at all---very cool winter set-ups to keep in shape for ripping some balls.  Good on both of you.  I actually converted my garage at the beginning of covid not realizing how long the ride would be---winter came and the cars went back inside.  

@jjackkrashnone of us doctor types are going to give you an aggressive expected return due to too many factors at play.  Your surgeon will be also conservative in that regard--he/she has zero vested interest in getting you on the water sooner, and 100% interest in a good surgical outcome.  We love skiing, but it's only skiing--first world problem.  Heal up properly, come back strong (I'm a veteran of 2 low back, 2 neck surgeries), rather than chance screwing it up.  Work on your core, your balance etc.  Coach and drive for those around you until you are cleared.

You've done better vids, my friend.  Give those Stokes the love they deserve--great vests!

@HortonMake it about her and go to (gulp) Disney (or other venues) and the skiing is secondary?  Go get some coaching and fun while there but make it mostly about stuff that is otherwise fun for Buford--whatever that may be you obviously know her best.  How old is she? 

Maybe hit Miami instead and hit the Miami ski club--I was able to rip there years ago.  They have a good aquarium too if you aren't used to San Diego for same--that would allow you to bounce south to the keys for some cool snorkeling or perhaps a resort course SCUBA experience--my daughter got certified at 11 y.o.   

Bottom line is father-daughter trip I'd make it about her--I know you are a skier and want to get some coaching.  Her life is (I'm thinking) a lot of skiing in the recreational department.  Get a few sets but soup it up and give her some new and different experiences.    

@horton also agree--after some more thought I'm favoring no islands if it's my dig.  

So again I prefer to ski islands, having said that--if I were the developer and wanted a great lake, low maintenance, and had the distance available I'd go no islands.  I hate maintenance.  Also if intending to sell homes around it, it does allow it to be a little more multifunctional.

I almost never had a chance to train islands, but enjoyed them at tournaments.

Used to ski at a two lake site, one had islands, one no.  First come first serve.  The lake with the islands was always in use first, the longer lake w/out never used unless the lake with islands was full.  This is a small sample size of skiers but the way it was.  If any concerns about length--I'd do islands and Ideally offset them so when you finish around the island you are coming straight down course.  There will be many conflicting opinions--there is probably not a right or wrong.

Depends.  I was a better 36 mph skier after some years at 34 mph.  

I competed powerlifting and waterskiing. Power in the winter and done for summer--only skiing.  Power for me was only good for one thing in terms of having an excess of same as opposed to an adequate amount per body weight--getting me out of bad spots and scrambling.  Nothing else. 

Takes less power to be a smaller skier--look at the girls divisions--geez toiling away at 34 mph and 38 off and watching teen girls do the same but so light on the line. 

Proper form/leverage/position trumps SO much power.  I lacked in certain areas but made up for some of my technical issues with an overdose of power.  So I guess as Horton mentioned--more power w/out excess weight is never a bad thing--but excess power is not necessary if technique is great ie) Nate  

I ran 35 off 36 very occasionally at M2.  First tourney M3 at 34 mph no training at that speed 5@38.  Became a mostly mid-to-deep 38 off skier with 38 dropping sometimes, quite a few in my best seasons.  Kicking to 36 mph for fun could then smoke 35 off 36 mph pretty consistently, and ran some 35 off 34 mph straight off the starting dock sometimes to get under my ski partners skin a little bit if he was talking smack (not you, Bob!)

KD 7000, Razor A68.  Love the stability of the D3's, my best lifetime skiing was on the Razor A68 gave it up too soon looking for more buoys yet--oops.  Never recaptured that glory.  

Sharp.  I'm not usually an orange fan but that is well done.

@taynton sweet pic and nice looking classic tug there. Side spray will getcha once yhou are running short--until then keep loving that Brendella

Some of those skiers grew into better skiers, some just had fun. I'm all for anyone that enjoys a ski boat, skiing, and being on the water. Good for her and any like her. College skiing sure was fun.

@Bruce_Butterfield that would be the typical midwest collegiate skier. We tended to have a couple of good skiers, and then a bunch of kids that grew up on a river behind an I/O but had no idea how to really slalom/trick/jump.
If I were coaching such a team, the skiers who can 3 event or specialize in an event go do it. Everyone else needs a basic 2-ski trick pass (side/side/back/back/360/360), and with any luk get to ride over a jump and land. Beyond that they need to run buoys on jumpers long line and slow speed to grab some team points.

@DMR lowest and flattest at what lines and speeds? I haven't met a big 3 I haven't liked at 28 off to 39off and 34/36 mph including 20 year old boats. Longer lines slower speeds there are differences, there are differences in drive-ability(tho after acclimation I can drive short-line in any one of 'em) and trick skiing ability.Had Txi's at a club--not built like a MC or Nautique--never have been. Very good but not quite the same level. As for skiing/driving the Txi--no issue other than I would have liked more zip out of the hole and always found the driving position to be in the bottom of a bathtub--I shouldn't need a seat cushion.Prostar if I were buying today even though I drank Nautique kool aid way back when.

I barefooted that lagoon when I was about 13 years old--37 years ago.

Yah a little TLC would have her looking/skiing nice for years. Loved the lines on those, and wake was great at the lines I ski.

That's the one that was posted about in Cancun.

Nothing in Coz, been there many times diving. I think there's an entire older thread about a place in Cancun (on the lagoon) not sure if it's still up/running.

Total of $76K I paid for those two rides--combine their new original retail is $315K. Hopefully drive 'em 8 years or so packing on the miles, then repeat the process. Yet to buy a new car.

Now--back to your surgery. I hope you have quick recovery. Winter is a good time for it!