chris_logan

@eddie_roberts_jr I'm assuming there will be another introduction video, similar to the green Vapor, for the all new Vapor? Video release on 8/11? Otherwise we will need @Horton's BOS spy minions at Okeeheelee with high-res cameras.

Wow... that truly sucks. It seems that it just was not meant to be. You seem to be carrying a fairly positive attitude about it though, which is a moral victory.

Wow, going very large on a double cut! https://facebook.com/skiflycom/videos/429793013888652/?pnref=story @MattP I have no idea how to imbed the video. Can you fix for me please?

I think there is currently room for improvement over the 75'. I would like to see some mathematical analysis of the acceleration curve, based on the pendulum effect, to see where acceleration ends with relation to length of rope. Logic tells me that acceleration would end at the bottom of the pendulum swing (behind the boat), however when you have skis on edge we all know this is not necessarily true. Swing radius also plays a large role with this as you don't want to be traveling more right to left than you are forward when you reach the ramp. There is a limit to how far out you can move the boat to compensate for this and A)still have lake to ski on & B)maintain a straight boat path w/o putting in another set of boat guides outside the 60s.

Does anyone have an update on this?

@swc5150 I think the original point here would limit their "substantial R&D funds"... though I can't help but agree with you. Can't they just be funded with Reece's Pieces and Pilsner?

I was perusing social media a couple days ago when I came across a post by Ron Goodman about experimenting with different length jump ropes. This topic magnetically drew me in, and I thought it might gain a little more traction/commentary on BOS. See original posting below: *************************************************************************************************************************************** Ron Goodman : Had a rip with an 85' rope today...just added 10' of Dyneema to my mainline. Felt pretty good...might be a bit long. Will try 80' tomorrow, then 1' increments. This is a conversation that needs to happen. Why is the jump rope 75'? Seems everyone wants them maxed out on length...which suggests they're to short. Why not 76'? Or 82'? Time to test and find optimum for each speed. Micah Ping : Why even regulate the length of the rope at all? @Rdodd : Good call ! Scott Snape : I agree as you can run the boat wherever you want. One consideration is safety. Some of the sites we ski at you come very close to objects on a 75 foot rope. 80 plus might have you colliding with those objects. Charleston is a prime example. When you turn for the jump you are in less than 2 foot of water. 5 more feet of rope and you will be turning in sand. I said I would never jump there again as the shallow water lifts the tails ( especially the right ski) driving the tip in which makes it almost impossible to get you ski around. Last time I was there I got my driver to run narrow and when he felt me set my skis move out to split. It worked but not something I want to repeat. Ron Goodman : It's a good point Scott. My thinking is that it's a self correcting problem however. There are sites I won't jump at no matter what rope is used. Haha! I like Micah's point...why measure at all? If we can already adjust boat path it only makes sense to mess with ropes as well. We already use our own anyway so this is a tiny step. Each skier could figure it out for themselves, no different than how much spectra to use. Maybe Jrs or slower speeds would like a shorter rope??? Ploppers just starting out...shorter? Food for thought. Gotta try... I can say 85' at 35mph felt to long. Just an opinion of course. Boat ran right up next to 60's and I wanted it wider. What I did like was the rhythm out of the turn and comfort it gave for finishing turn. Bit different off the ramp but I think that's boat path. I'll try 80'. My gut feeling is it'll be better. We'll see. I'm gonna try though...and report back. Point of all this is two things. First is to make jump better/safer, and second to make tournaments easier to run from a tech standpoint. @Ham_Wallace : I have always liked my 83"! @The_Krista : We get to pick our preferred length in slalom and trick for optimal performance ...just saying :smile: Alex King : Trick yes, slalom no? You get to choose where you start but not where you finish! Haha but good discussion! @The_Krista : Haha you get to choose what is best for you to be able to ski your top performance...(kinda)..work with me here Alex! Also...the length of the rope in slalom is an integral part of comparing scores so some uniform system of measurement is necessary but still your personal preference for optimal performance is your initial choice ... The length of the rope is not used in calculating any results for trick or jump... :smile: Ron Goodman : My thoughts exactly Krista. Jump is scored on distance alone. The 75' rope length was mandated so long ago that the logic is irrelevant in today's jump event. Skis were wood, short, and unstable. Bindings were basically flip flops bolted to the wood planks. Slings didn't exist. Ramps were wood, short, and dangerous by today's standards. Boats...hand driven twin rigs. It's time we take a serious look at the ropes and the length we use. I'm leaning toward total skier choice for both materials and length. I'm a Guinea pig...and will report my thoughts as they develop over the next few months. I encourage others to do the same. Jeff Rush : Would longer or shorter ropes affect how the switch engagement would need to be calibrated? Would ZO need to add the 1,2,3 principle, like in slalom and trick, to the jump letters to adjust for rope length? 1= <75', 2=75', 3=>75'? Why can't the switch be skier supplied option to adjust to their spec'd tension instead of the standard 120 lbs? Ron Goodman : No. Switch works the same. Can't tell any difference.

See it in action! https://instagram.com/p/5rmyI5P1yE/

I had some time to contemplate this issue during much of my downtime at Southern Regionals over the past 4 days, to which a few key questions came to mind: Why is it so important that tournament skiing stays alive in the current format? Should tournament skiing actually die, what pushes innovation in the water ski market (boats, skis, ropes, handles, vests, etc.) if there is no proven performance in competition? To what level does the water ski market exist outside of competition? Of course it is about money, to an extent, but what we need to not lose sight of is that the social aspect of the sport plays a huge role in the existence and availability of the sport to newcomers. *hat tip to @Horton as I didn't refresh my 1.5 hour old page prior to writing my comment.

I just switched to using this brace: dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11584725&cp=4406646.4413887.4414020.22937756&categoryId=4414374. I'm not necessarily looking for a brace that prevents injury (nothing is 100% injury proof), but a brace that provides the most support under pressure. So far, I'm pleased with this one as it has a much more secure fit after it gets wet, compared to my previous brace (academy.com/shop/pdp/mcdavid-adults-ps-ii-hinged-knee-brace?repChildCatid=34004).

@Ilivetoski Will send you a PM

I'm not super familiar with the throttle body setup on a ZR6, but it sounds like what I have experienced with a failing IAC valve on other engines. Maybe you could get something more definitive with an OBD2 scan?

Something else to consider, aside from the potential increased height of the new power plant, is the width. Most older (early 90s and back) motorboxes may not fit newer engines that have larger exhaust manifolds.

Seriously? Talk about a case of the Mondays...

@Horton If you can incorporate a video documentary series on it, showing the reality (every PIA headache detail) of this project, it exponentially increases the value of this project as a whole to every baller potentially interested in doing the same/similar project (myself included).

The timing of this thread is interesting. I had this injury twice in the past 8 days, a week apart, while skiing on Sunday morning. Of course, now I am actually looking for some protection since the second impact created a second gash and reopened the unhealed hole of the first impact a week prior. Going to Academy at lunch to round up slip in shin guards and a calf compression sleeve. Fingers crossed.

I would have said dual-zone automatic climate control, but you have to start somewhere.

After this weekend, I hope they are introducing air conditioning in all of their boats. That would be a game changer, at least for the boat crew.

+1 on Lex being one of the best MC parts gurus, both in personality and level of knowledge. It should be interesting during the transition to see who stays and who leaves.

Skiers' Marine picked up Mastercraft and has dropped Malibu at their Athens and Westover (B'ham) locations.

Well that answers some questions that have been floating around. Lots of rumors around, but good to see some facts. Thanks Lyman!

"Mapple T series: Because chasing buoys can be infectious."

Agreed @Jody_Seal. Promised seat time for me might as well be an automatic entry for me into a tournament - especially 3 event. It does get frustrating though when I go out of my normal circle of tournaments and am denied driving because nobody there has skied behind me before (less of a problem now, but still happens). @LeonL I especially will not kiss ass to anyone trying to get seat time. If I offer them one of the best pulls they've had and they miss out, it's their loss not mine. People will learn at some point, but having a good reference list helps. So this post may have sounded a little arrogant, but it's always my goal to provide the best pull to every skier every time.

I read the title to this thread and thought of Wilford Brimley in his diabeetus commercials... "Check your fin settings and check them often."

I think this is going to be so much fun and look forward to skiing this tournament at one of my most favorite sites. I did find it a little strange, though, that I wasn't invited to the facebook event for it. I actually saw my newsfeed blowing up for a few days with other people's rsvp to the event before I just invited myself to it and joined. I assume there will be some form of Mexican food after, right?