AndersonSkiTeam

Thanks guys. I watched Rossi's ski tuning clip last night to start to learn how. As I watched him whack the fin with his wooden dowel I realized this may not be quite as hard as I thought (except the time to do it). Now to go buy some calipers. Interesting to hear about the wide and mid rides. Something else to add to my list. I am currently fairly strong but not in great shape. I am working hard to try to get in good shape for next spring and work my way through the course. At 40 I figure my years are limited to really improve and might as well go for it now.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. We are lucky to have so many great skis to choose from these days but makes buying harder.

So I am looking for a new ski. I am currently on a 2011 Strada with Strada double bindings. I am 6' 195lbs and am working my way through 28 off at 34 mph. I generally like this ski but have had a hard time being consistent on my off side (LFF). Onside is magic every time. I know doing demos of different skis is the way to go but not really an option for me. There appear to be lots of great skis out right now and has me really wondering what ski to go with. The things I really need to work on right now are letting the ski finish the turn and hooking up with a decent stack (Pretty common for people at my level of skiing). I have read all the reviews and threads on the Goode Nano One and Nano XT. The reviews for the N1 seemed great but not quite the same love for the XT. I seem to get that the XT is faster and easier for work behind the boat but turns not quite as consistent as the N1. Is the XT better or for those with some experience on both any sense if one ski would be better than the other for my level of skiing. Also, I am not much of a ski tuner. I typically take stock settings and ride them forever. Do these skis need much fine tuning or will stock work good with me at my level. I have always wanted to learn to do this but am fearful I will end up with a fin out an inch when .001 is supposedly noticeable. Lastly, just to throw a wrench in the discussion, is the Vapor really that much better than the Strada. Thanks in advance.

@ToddL I am on a Strada right now and am the same level of skiing. What swayed you from the Strada to an A3. My brother is on an A3 and loves it and basically pickup a full pass from his immediately with the ski. Has me thinking A3 but I am also thinking the Strada is plenty of ski for my level already and should suffice (according to my wife anyways). Ryan

Sorry you got hurt. I wear the Stradas as well and they have worked perfectly if I keep them loose. A couple of times I have cinched up to tight and don't quite come out on a good fall that I would expect to come out of. All the other times they have worked perfectly. Good luck in your recovery and finding the right binding option you are comfortable with. The Reflex looks like a good option and if I wasn't on Stradas that is where I would probably go.

I didn't know we had so many race fans on the board. I have to admit I am not a big fan but did live in Daytona Beach for awhile for some NASCAR indoctrination and being Canadian the Villeneuve family are race legends. Some great quotes but for those that do not know remember Gilles died in a crash. He lived and died by his mantra. I think Regina must have freaky strength to weight ration to pull of what she does.

Thanks for the ideas guys. Seems like with all the suggestions for skis people think it is best to upgrade the ski. I appreciate the options provided and I will think it through.

My son is 12, about 90lbs, and is getting into the course. He can easily get through the junior course and is close to getting through 15 off at around 26-28mph. He is using his moms older Obrien Synchro 65". This ski was said to be pretty user friendly which is why I bought it for my wife5-6 years ago. It is lightly used. My wife likes watching her kids ski more than skiing herself. Is this the right ski or should I be getting into a used Senate C, S2, or D3. I liked D3(Kidder) as a kid for the smooth turns but lots of options out there right now. I am happy to not spend more money but if a newer ski would make a big difference I am happy to drop some coin as well. Thanks in advance for your advice.

I bought the Stradas last year and love them. Took a bit to get used to. Came off of double drafts by Connelly. I liked the drafts but the Stradas are more comfortable and have released every time they should have perfectly. I will be staying on them for a long time.

While I understand wanting some limited experience to be able to ski behind bad wakes so you can do it in a tournament the thought of owning a bad boat for kids is not a good thought. I am thinking this is a new advertisment for those boats with horrible wakes at longer lengths, "Ski behind out bad kids wake to make them better". That might sell a few more boats. How about we stop buying their boats and make them create a better boat at longer lengths that also rock at short lines. Nautique and Malibu seem to have it figured out. My kids have the same thought as I do, ski behind the best boat wakes available. In my mind this is what the othersides thought process would be. Go have sex with a bunch of ugly woman so that if you ever have to have sex with an ugly woman you will be ready for it. Sorry, I'll stick with my hot wife and my butter wakes.

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We bought first boat when I was in High School. Was an old jet boat with a 454 engine in the back. After overhauling it a couple of times and sparking a fire in the back we called it quits for 10 years. Bought a Malibu in Texas and hauled it back to Alberta (30 hours of driving) with my Dodge Grand Caravan. Was alright in the flats of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, but the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana were not so good for the van. Van still runs but I think I aged it prematurely by about 10 years on that trip.

I have a 2001 open bow(not walk through) Response. Fit a family of 6 with a pair of combos, 3 slalom skis, 2 wakeboards, cooler of food and beverages for the kids, towels, 6 life jackets and wetsuits and while it is crowded we all fit. Wake is nicer than newer Lxi and in my opinion the MC197 at mid lengths. I do have a tower with a board rack which helps. The 2001 has the back storage locker which holds a ton of equipment. Front is pretty safe as it is a single bench looking forward and bow is higher than some other boats so not to bad. Only do a small swamp a couple times a year when on public water and I miss 3 surfer boats wakes coming my way as I turn slowly to pick someone up.

Never started skiing until I was 17 after dad bought a jet boat for the local lake in Southern Alberta. Wake wasn't bad but the rooster tail would leave welts on your body if you skied through the wake to slow (or naked). Boat died and I was in college with no money so didn't ski much for 10 years. A few years after graduation from law school my wife said okay to a used 2001 Malibu Response. Our family, wife and four kids, have had the best summers ever since. Grew up free skiing and after trying a course a few times a summer on vacation I have finally fixed some of the free skiing errors and can get through 22 at 34. Hoping for 28 this summer. Hoping this helps nail 28 as I fell I can finally edge through the wakes without getting tossed around a bit. Just switched from an F1 with drafts to 2011 Strada with double strada boots. Now I am scared, no reason to blame the boat or ski, if I can't make the pass it is all on me. I found out blaming my wife leads to not having a boat driver and other good benefits so I stopped that quickly.

Thanks for all the info guys. I don't know if the decision is easier but the info is very helpful. Without doing too much research is the 206 that much bigger than the 200?

I thought I remember this subject getting beaten to death earlier but a quick search didn't turn up anything. So...I am thinking of getting a Nautique 200 OB. I currently have a 2001 response lx with an open bow. I like this boat but it is not a walk through bow and it seems cramped. I often spend a few hours on the lake with my wife, 4 kids, and all the gear including wake board gear, combos, 3-4 slalom skis ext. My Malibu has the trunk which is nice. If I go with the the Nautique 200 will it feel like more room or am I getting the same thing or is their more room. Lastly, we have kids learning to slalom, a son working on 15 off, myself who skis at 28 off, and kids wake boarding. How are the wakes on the 200 for the longer lines for slalom as compared to the Txi. For boarding I have the wedge on the response and I know you can alter the wake on the Nautique but will it come close to the same size for the little boarders in my family. We mainly ski but I know the kids in a couple of years are going to want to start boarding more but I refuse to buy a Vdrive. Just so the the Malibu guys know I am contemplating the Txi as well but I know something about Malibus. My knowledge of Nautiques is limited as where I live there is only one and the closest dealer is a 6 hour drive away. Thanks for the help.

Thanks for the help guys. Turns out the silk screener had something that would work in their database already. I appreciate the idea. I I forgot I have a shirt with the big dog quote. I'll have to did that out and see what it looks like again.

I am doing up some waterski shirts for my family for Christmas. It will say Anderson Ski and Wakeboard Team (have to keep the little wakeboarders happy). Anyone have a design of a silouette of a guy skiing I can use for free. I know some people have alot of work and money into their designs and I don't want to infringe on copyright or trademark so if you don't want me to use your work that if fine. That being said if you have something you are willing to share it would be appreciated. Also looking for a family friendly little blurb to go on the back. My usual ones are ski naked or no falls no balls but my wife says her 9 year old daughter is not wearing that. Thanks,

Just scraped the snow off the ice so the kids could keep skating on the pond behind the house. -18C today.  Â

Thanks for all the help guys. I am heading to Dallas area to ski with my brother in May so I might have H2oz send a 2011 senate c with double strada bindings to give a rip. If I don't like I can send back and try one of the other options. Easier to do in Texas than Canada. Maybe I need to change the Dallas trip to an H2Oz trip and try them all. I am now going to make the Vice my screen saver and drink good beverages to see if I can get a positve association going with the graphics. However, looking at the graphics LSD might be a better option.

Alright, you have me thinking seriously about the Senate C. Have they changed the 2011 enough or am I good to go with 2010.Â

Sorry MAD11, to each their own. The Vice is a great ski and probably looked great in your slammed ElCamino with hydrolics and fuzzy dice pulling the boat to the lake with all the honeys:)  I just barely signed up so you can't revoke me yet.  From my lurking I think I have a ways to go to catch up to Horton's love of MS. MAD, I would love to hear how your buddy likes the A2 after a few rides. Sounds like you guys have a bit more skill in the course than I do but your review would be really helpful.  Sounds like you are a Radar guy. Any advice as to my skill level and Stada or Senate C. My heart says Strada and guys are seeming to say it is forgiving enough for a rookie like me but the Senate C might be a better fit. If it is close I will go Strada just so I can feel like a big dawg on the dock.Â

So, I am not really a ski guru but most of the video I watch seems to show the Strada ripping but the tip seems to be way out of the water and guys riding the tail pretty hard. Seems to work but does not look balanced watching it. Is this just my perception or reality. People seem to say it is very stable but the few clips I have seen of people skiing it appears to be the opposite eventhough they are ripping through the course. It may just be the shorter line lengths. It seems at 41 all the skiers on any ski seem to about get ripped out of the water on the turn and then have to reset and go hard. I have thought about the Vice which is also at a nice price point but I just can't bring myself to ride that pimped out ugly ski. I asked if they would change the graphics as there are lots of guys like me who would prefer a ski that actually looks nice but no luck. I think Radar shot themselves in the foot on that one not offering two graphic options. I only know 6-7 hardcore skiers and 6 out of the 7 said they were interested inthe ski until they saw the graphics. That being said 6 out of the 7 were over the age of 30 which appears to be about 95% of the waterski demographic. I am 36 and am the second youngest somewhat serious skier at my lake. I have thought about the Senate C and the few guys I have talked to said I am definitely in the Senate C range but for where I am now and hoping to get to they recommended the Strada over the Senate C. As I haven't ridden either I don't know but that is what I was told. I have heard the Senate C rocks so maybe it is back on the list. I know guys can ride it deep into the course but I know the same guys can run a combo ski deep into the course. Baumer, your comment on the A2 almost sold me saying it was better all around than the A1. So, maybe a Senate C until I am through 28 and then go to a A2 or Strada next year if things progress? I have to admit it is hard on my ego to not buy the top of the line ski even though it may not be the best option for me. Sorry for the rambling. I have writtenthis over 6 interupted phone calls. Darn work:)

Thanks for the advice MS. I like the used idea which limits the options for the A2 as it is so new. I have seen a few Stradas on SIA which is an option and it appears it is only cosmetic differences between 2011 and 2010. I have also talked with Tadd at H2Oz and he was very helpful but by the time I ship skis back and forth from Canada I will have paid for two skis.Â

I am looking for a new ski this year. I currently ride a 2007 F1 but would like to get into either an A2, Z7ST, or Strada. Just wondering if with things warming up down south people have had more experience on the A2. My brother has the A1 and likes it but says he has to really stay "on top" of the ski to keep it moving. I think he means to keep a lot of the ski in the water. The little bit I have read the A2 is a little more forgiving than the A1 with all the positives. Also any suggestions on size. On the chart I think I am at 67. I am 6' and 190 with like most people hoping to lose 20lbs. I have only skied the course a few times and can sometimes get through 22 off at 34 mph but have bought a portable slalom course and want to hit it hard this summer to get through 28 off. I do slow down to 32 to start learning a pass. Still have a couple of months until the ice disappears up here so hoping to make up my mind before summer (in Canada that means sometime in June).