VONMAN

@Ski_Dad I'm in the same boat, Less is better. I been telling my drivers nice easy pull, like your pulling a beginner. That and if you ski with a wide handle (13') don't grip the handle at the ends. Position your hands in the middle, hands touching. It's a been game changer for me and everyone I show who struggles with deep up starts.

I went 6 seasons with my new Merc 200 outboard (2015 new) when I decided to rebuild the water pump. You have to pull the lower unit from the motor. Remove the water pump housing to get at the impeller and to my surprise the impeller looked brand new. I replaced it anyway giving me peace of mind for the next 6, maybe 7 seasons. After all it took to inspect the old impeller I wasn't about to not replace it. Depending on the lake water temp my motor runs 110 to 130 degrees here in Florida. Peace of mind baby.

Since Nate has run 41off more than the entire field. What's the incentive or the rush? The field has to catch up to his level. He doesn't have a lot of water training time because of that work thing. But it's not slowing him down. My 2 cents.

@adamhcaldwell Thank You, Thank You very much! I've been talking about when the rope exceeds 45 degrees and the ramifications if you try to overload it. Thank you.

@Mastercrafter Rumor has it that your front license says "Out The Front" on it?!

Wow! I need help, so many are true of me. My wife is a Saint for putting up with me.

Here in Florida I bag my boat to keep the sun off. No lift, trailer only here. When I lived in Michigan I had a lift in the lake and would do the same.

Wow, sorry about rolling the hand grenade into the room!! I haven't been in the Forum since my last post. Great Info.

So 2 tower Judges were watching live video from the boat and because the camera missed the shot. Both camera's I might add. What's the point of the tower Judges if they are not watching the action from their point of view, not video?? At that point it should have been called a re-ride. At that point the only only two people knew what really happened the boat Judge and Freddie. Call a re-ride admit the mistake and move on. But no, the Masters can't be at fault. We will just pretend it didn't happen, it will be OK. We as skiers love to watch these Great Skiers excel at the top of the mountain, wishing we could only achieve 50% of what they do. The training that they endure because of the love of the sport we all have. Only to be called out by a group of skiers with far less knowledge and experience that had one thing to do, watch the Skier and report the score.

@John1010The install was straight forward for my 2015 Mercury 200 Pro SX. I ordered a Star Gazzer Wake version (it has the slalom package in it) for a 200hp Mercury V-6 sterndrive, the throttle cables are the same making it easy. And I could go into the menus to change from a V-6 4-stroke to a V-6 2-stroke. Follow the instructions carefully and it works great. PM me if you need info or help.

We never used it in our club boats in Michigan. And my 1992 BareFoot Warrior never came with one. So the government mandates a law with no grandfather clause. I'm still waiting for them to come and install it. Lawyers don't you just love them?

And once again the Lawyers are controlling your favorite Sport. And what are you going to do about it? Probably watch it die a slow death.

It's not stated but it looks like there is enough room for the drivers seat to spin 90 or 180 degrees around to do rope duty.

How about which ever skier held the handle back to the dock, wins. B wins.

Keep in mind that Florida lake levels can change a lot 6 or 7 years ago a lot of boat house's couldn't be used because low lake levels. Lake Weir for example has come up 3.5 to 4 feet. With a aluminum lift you can move the lift to deeper water. If a major storm is forecast you pull the boat and store on the trailer to be safe. Ernie Schlager

The faster speed you can generate between the wakes the less down course slip you will have. And be greeted by space/early turn ball. Ernie Schlager

Well said. And to anyone who has never tried a U.S. Gear handle it's the Best of the Best. Welcome Back. Ernie Schlager

@CnewbertWow! Quite a journey. Glad you are doing so good. Didn't know you were having Knee problems. But good to hear it's been a positive experience. Six weeks seems really quick! At some time I know I will have to get my right knee done so keep us informed of your progress. Ernie Schlager

My 1988 Barefoot Warrior was a Approved 4 event tow boat back then.

Math! Why did it have to be Math! I hate Math!

I mentioned to my son my right knee has been bothering me so he sent me the "Knees over toes Guy" book of exercises and after a couple of weeks no more problems. Who knew! Ernie Schlager

@tjs1295Check out the problem I had.

@S1PittsThanks and I've notice that it is easier. The space between the 2 rear bunks is where the original bunk was. No stringer there.

I've been searching for a new boat trailer for my 92 Barefoot Warrior outboard for 4 months and getting nowhere. Seems nobody had any data for my 92 or even when they were offered the boat for sizing they wouldn't touch it. Well things got worse. The last week in December I found a crack in my hull. Upon further discovery I found the trailer that was made/bought for the boat wasn't designed for the hull. The bunks were never under the stringers and when I lived in Michigan I didn't trailer it much because I lived on a lake. Here in Florida I trailer back and forth to the lake all the time. The center support on the old trailer was right over the axle like a jack hammer to the hull. Good news, went to J-3 Fiberglass in Ocala on January 3rd, worked out a price and a Date of repair about 10 days out. Left there to find someone to build a trailer for me. Same morning, 2 hours latter and my 3rd trailer shop latter. I pull in at Redline Custom Trailers in Ocala and ask if they can build me a trailer. "Yes no problem" they say. I explain where the bunks have to be with 2 outer bunks at the rear. We agree on a price but they had a boat show the weekend coming up and will start on it next week. I leave the boat and old trailer with them. On January 10th I get a call from Redline, "the trailer is done come a pick it up". Morning of the 11th I pick up my broke boat on the new beautiful trailer. What a difference in the ride, tracks straight and seems to float with a torsion axle. Oh and it looks good to. The following Monday I drop off the rig a J-3 to get the hull repaired and that Friday I pick up my boat, ready for another 30 years. (I should live that long, Ha!) Moral of the story: How sure are you that you trailer is supporting your boat. If it's a boat manufacture that builds in-house trailers it should be good to go. But unless you swim under or can lift the hull to inspect it you my never know. If you have a boat with a off brand trailer, check to make sure your bunks are supporting the hull under the stringers if you trailer your boat a lot.

Retire, move to Florida and Ski the winter blues away. 7 winters and counting.