skiray

My 2 cents... I would not have turn around islands if your lake is long enough to drop on each end.( ~2000' ) The islands I've been around are a pain to maintain. Room for a jump is a good one. More surface area = more gallons evaporated away each day. So if you have to use a pump, the jump are is going to increase the amount of water needed to maintain level. As far as planning on a pump and no other water supply, do some math and get first hand advice from someone besides me. But, I'm think this is how the math works: 1 acre-ft = 325,851 gallons. That is 27,154 gallons per inch for each acre of surface area. That is 6,788 gallons per quarter inch for each acre of surface area. If your lake is 12 acres, you would have about 81,463 gallons in each quarter inch. We evaporate 1/4" per day in the summer here in east Texas. So, if we want to pump for 8 hours a day we need at least a 170 gpm pump or about a 60 gpm if we want to pump around the clock. You should be able to get evaporation rates for your area. Plan your parking boat ramp area. This seems like a small thing, but I've seen some that were not well thought out. Good luck. I walked an 80 acre tract of land yesterday looking at a potential site. Just dreaming...

I told you we didn't need no stinkin store bought boom...

Just a couple of potential deals that I ran across: Fogman binders for $175 http://www.miamiskinautiques.com/Fogman-Hardshell-Waterski-Bindings-s/100.htm 66" 2011 Strada for $650 http://www.4wake.com/istar.asp?a=3&dept=SKIS

War Eagle!

In the early 90's the Auburn ski team went to West Palm. We had to buy some sort of park registration. I'm not sure if that is still an option.

Nell was a great friend and introduced many young men and women to 3 event skiing. She will be missed. This is the posting from the Southern Region Site: Nell Drake 1939-2011 Dear Water Ski Family, Most of you may know, but Nell Drake passed away last night. She was diagnosed with lung cancer very recently and was at East Alabama Regional Hospital in Opelika. Nell was 72. We are told she did not respond to chemo or radiation. She went home and was back in hospital last Thursday with pneumonia and passed away there. Nell was 72. Please keep Nell and her family in your prayers. We do not know if there will be arrangements, we are told her body will be cremated. If we find otherwise, we will advise. I loved Nell Drake as you all did, and will miss her very much. Her years of dedication to the Auburn Water Ski Team and our sport in general will not be forgotten. Remember she was the "Ski Queen". God bless you all. J. R. and Anne Henley For those of you that don't know, Nell Drake is from Dadeville (Lake Martin). We will truly miss her. I skied with her a couple of times a week and she was a special lady. She was certainly a spirited pistol. She is the Women 6 & 7 Alabama State Record Holder in Slalom. Bob Schouten

I had the first year Sixam 1.0 (red/blue). My performance on that ski was the most consistent of any of the ski that I have had. I broke it with a handle strike. Replaced with a first year Eilte. My PB went up, consistency went down. a lot of great days, some not so much. Probably me, but I want a consistent ride that I can ride for 3 - 5 years. That way I don't mind the cost. One designed in the sweet spot of consistency, forgiveness and performance. You asked, what else would you expect?

Scratch that. Just saw the other post.

I've seen it mentioned several times, what is a G-10 plate?

Looks like my buddy is enjoying posting it for me... My economic condition of not being able to move on until I sell this one. My "boss" limits the skis in the shop.

I agree Horton. I've sold and bought things there. I will when I get back home. I'm on the road with business, a friend is posting it for me while I'm away.

I think the Quattro works for some. Mostly short line skiers. I start at 28@34 and on a great day can work my way through 32. Most days 2 or 3 @32. With that said, I will say this about mine. I'm putting it back on eBay. Anything over $500 gets it. I hate loosing money, but what else can I do with it.... My daughter wants me to make a swing out of it. The ski looks great. It works for some, just not for me.

Sometimes you get what you pay for, some times you try to deal with a dealer that feels like he is doing you a favor. I've owned each of the big three. I have owned 9 boats since 97. (never had a promo just love the sport and made some great friends that sold boats) I'm thinking about going back to Malibu. Not because they are great in every area, each has their niche. Because it is a great boat and the dealer actually still gives a rip about the sport and the customer. No names, but I actually was dealing with another dealer that named his price. There were two options, around $2500 of stuff that doesn't help my skiing, that we didn't want. (we were going to order a boat) His price without the options was the same. That was the special..... He later dropped the price by $1000. I guess it he didn't believe me when I told him I knew his costs. I'm glad there are options for all of us. It would be great if the dealers could get "back to the basics of love."

Thought you all might find this interesting: "A radically new approach to the design of batteries, developed by researchers at MIT, could provide a lightweight and inexpensive alternative to existing batteries for electric vehicles and the power grid. The technology could even make “refueling” such batteries as quick and easy as pumping gas into a conventional car." Saw the article at work. Apparently, they are expecting a big increase in storage capacity as well.

Thanks for the info Sixam675. That is close to what I'm trying. I hope to see some real water time soon. Work is working against me at the moment... I've skied two sets. The first, the water was terrible, the second set wasn't great. So, I tried my other ski. It was worse, looks like I've gone mental... (so I can say a ski better on the quattro out of the box than I did on the one I've been on for 2 years) I need more time on the water before I can tell you anything worth reading. I will let you know how it goes when I have a clear head and decent water. On the flipside, a buddy of mine has one and has gotten to ski a handful of sets on it. It can't stop bragging about how the ski is working for him.

Quality and finish is as good as I've seen. I will give you an update once I take a ride. That should be later this week.

Yes. It is my understanding that they are bringing more than one. (66")

I'm picking mine up Saturday at the Masters. By the way, I have heard good things recently from the grape vine. I can't belive others are excited about the Goode based on the failures I've seen. Much less the ones I've heard about. Are you assuming that "nano" will correct that issue?

I have a Sporttube case. I have flown with it and had zero issues. They are available at Performance. I'm not sure what the options  are on the website. Mine has wheels. I would not get one without wheels. The last time I used it, I took two skis, two vests, two shorties, gloves and a rope/handle.

If what he said in the interview is true, I can't wait to see the 2013 lineup from CC. I will worry about the battery pack being obsolete when I replace the original one at 1000 hours. I bet it will be less of a pain to convert the batteries than it was putting ZO on my 2006 196...Â

It looks like you all have covered everything on this post. I do want to add my 2 cents.  This is very exciting. I'm 38 and I hope only half way through my skiing years. This is the first boat concept that I have seen that might provide an opportunity for skiers to buy their "last boat". Let's face it, once the wood was gone the boats were built to last. An all electric boat seems like it could stand the environmental test of time. I think it is a good sign and it looks like water skiing is going to continue to adapt to potential regulations instead of just drifting away. Let's face it, we are not going to be able to burn gas forever.  Make it last a little longer (8 - 10 sets), get the price close to the current market (within $5k - $10k for elec. option) and sign me up.

I would love to see the pictures sixam675. Can you check the link? It did not work for me.

This is skiray's wife. He left himself logged in :) What he said really did help me out a lot! Also, I really focused on strength training last winter and it just helped me feel more in control of the ski. Hard to explain, but this spring I came out of the gate feeling like I was able to control the ski versus just having to react to what was happening. I would also have to agree though that a 3rd party is often a BIG help escpecially when I feel like I'm doing all I can and still not getting it right. It's just easier to hear that from someone else. Best of luck to you! I love to hear of other families skiing together! And, sometimes I just take a break from working on the course and ski open water just to remember what I loved about the sport to start with... slalom skiing - the sport you love to hate!

Cam, let me start with good luck. It is very hard to coach a spouse. The right ski is critical and the previous comments are all over that. I do have one question, do you work with her much on land? I know that is old school, but it really help my wife. We tried a single handle on a pole or trailer hitch. I took video of her position and we discussed. Then we did the same thing with a rope abut 20' long on a pole, hitch or tree. I got her to lean away in a confortable position, then I would push down on the middle of the rope and try to pull her up or out of position. (like a tug a war) It took some trial and error, but she got a better feel for what position worked for her. (maximum strength and maintaining balance weight on both feet.) It may sound crazy, but it is easy to do. Besides it is something you can wor on in the off season.

I'm not sure if it is a considerationfor you, but I would keep in mind which boats you can convert to ZO. I let a PCM certified shop do mine. The kits are about $4k. They can do a 2002 - 2006 PCM Chevrolet 350 MEFI 4 ignition system boat.  Clearly 04-05 fits will work. The 330 works great for us, but we just slalom and trick. Good luck.