vernonreeve

I mentioned "at speed" for the rope angles so it would know the skier is actually trying to cross the course with enough speed to go around the buoy. If the boat is turning, the skier is normally not trying to cross the wakes with any kind of speed. However, the driver should have a master on/off switch (and a light the skier could see) so both driver and skier know everything is good to go.

A forearm strap works amazingly well. However, when I get golfers elbow, it's because I'm still bending my elbows slightly. So it has become a reminder to relax and let my arms go straight.

A rope sensor would be ideal. It could sense when the rope was half way to center line at speed it would activate, then when the rope passed through center at speed, it would shoot the projectile. Or possibly sooner depending on trial and error of testing. This would apply to both directions. It wouldn't matter when the skier pulled out, and would automatically stop if the skier was tired or crashed or whatever.

Erik Berghiller (one of the inventors) gave me permission to post his response to my question about how it knows when to start. "We're still testing out the best way to start the course. But for now it works like this: The driver makes a signal to the skier when it's time to pull left for gates (raise a hand). The skier pulls out to the left and waits. The driver then pushes the start button and a strong LED lights up, it shines for three seconds. The moment the LED goes out it’s time for the skier to pull right to make it thru the point where the gates usually would be and be right on time to turn at the first splash on the right. But I want to clarify that we're still testing out the best way on how to solve it and unfortunately I can not disclose all the details. "

55 air, 45 water in Kalispell at Rosewater today.

How does it know when to start?

Or a way to aim them at pesky jet skiers:)

So same question for me, I'm 55yrs old, 6'1", 200lbs and am running 32mph -15 consistently on a 2017 69" Senate Graphite. And can sometimes run 34mph. Would a 67" Senate be better for me or should I stay on the 69? And/or what weight should I get down to before switching to the 67" Senate?

We used to replace the buoys with empty plastic milk jugs and just left them floating. Most of them survived the winter, and we would just put the buoys back on and re-tension the course in the spring. It was a small lake, however, and no current.

I've heard some people run a rope from the mainline up unto the shore and tie it so they can follow that rope back to the course when the ice thaws.

I had an older Senate (2015 I think), and it felt like I couldn't get it to turn on my onside. I moved both bindings forward about 1/2" forward of the recommended setting, and it started turning like a dream. I don't remember the measurements, but I do know that the recommended setting for the 2017 Senate matched what I used to have my old 2015 Senate set to.

That's good to know @Garn. Has anyone compared the Omni to the 2017+ Senate's? I really like my 2017 Senate Graphite, and it's everything you described the Omni to be, so I'm curious how they compare.

I used to run the course at 32mph on my 2012 HO Triumph so that ski is actually pretty good. The new ski's are faster and lighter, but not really necessary if you're just learning. If you are not running the course consistently at 30mph, I would wait. Because, by then, the new ski's will be even better:)

I'm 6'2, 210lbs, and have a 46 inch chest. I'm supposed to be in an x-large according to their size chart, but I'm wearing the large, and it still tends to roll up on hard falls. It's initially hard to zip, but once it is wet, it zips up easy the 2nd time.

Yeah, I like the idea of the weighted ski with the painted tip. I got the drop ski buoy a long time ago, and it worked great. It had a Velcro strap attached to the back of it that slipped under the rubber binding overlay and back to itself. We could see it for an amazingly long distance. I lost it in the divorce, however.

The Waterski Drop Ski Buoy works good. https://www.liquidationsports.com/index/page/product/product_id/21561/category/45/category_chain/35,45/product_name/Waterski+Drop+Ski+Bouy+-+Find+Your+Skis+EASILY%21

There is nothing to fear but fear itself. And sometimes she lets me go skiing:)

I'm too old for this sh..

Maximum Effort

Maybe try switching which foot you have forward. Also, you need slightly more weight on the back foot. The back of the ski is narrow, and the fin is at the back, and those are what helps you keep your balance. When I used to drop a ski, the ski felt very unstable until I was able to get my foot in the back stirrup and apply some weight to it.

I've found that it's best for me to keep me legs slightly extended. Then when the boat starts, I absorb the pull with my legs by letting my legs get compressed slightly and very briefly, then push back with both feet away from the boat and stand up. Not the norm, but it's been working great for me. Barely get my face wet. I'm 6'2, 205lbs and have long legs compared to my body and ski on a 69" 2018 Graphite Radar Senate. Just ran 34mph, 15off a few weeks ago for the 1st time. This new Senate is a huge improvement over the 2016 Alloy Senate I was on previously. Easier deep water starts and faster.

The strap concept sounds like a good idea. Sounds similar to the Goode Powervest.

Seems like skier weight should be another question. It would be interesting to see what 200lb+ skiers are using. And maybe 180-200, and under 180.

I'm on a 69" 2017 Radar Senate Graphite and don't use the wing. I'm 6'2", 205lbs, and ski 32mph. I tried it with the wing on first, but it felt like it had brakes on. It feels like I can carry the speed out and back much easier without the wing. I've heard the wing isn't necessary until you get to 34mph 32off.

Starski