AkBob

I'm sorry to hear that, I was looking forward to skiing with Wade.

@jpwhit. Thanks again for posting your experience. For those of us sniffing around for an older 200, we need to be aware of these issues. I have an older Nautique, and I haven't been religious on checking alignment. My fluid levels are fine, I will be more vigilant based on your input regarding alignment

@jpwhit most informative post. What you say about alignment makes perfect sense Did you notice transmission fluid in the bilge or a change in fluid level. I also wonder what prompted CC to change transmission models. I know of many 196's and prior with high hours and no transmission issues. Perhaps the new hull has something to do with alignment stability?? I know higher RPMs a needed to push that bigger hull to tournament speeds

Sounds like PCM used a weak transmission for awhile?? What transmission model and what years should one be wary about. Three posts on this thread speak to an early tranny failure. These boats cost an awful lot for these kind of major reliability issue IMO

Regardless of the promo vs used discussion.... a 600 hr transmission failure seems way premature on a 2012 boat. If there was a history of issues with a particular transmission, I would hope the manufacturer would at least share in the repair or replacement cost. I've been around a lot of promo boats and the program participants seem to take special care of their boats... I strongly doubt abuse was a factor in this failure

Call Shorestation. I've talked with their service dept. and they are very helpful. My lift is 24 yrs old, original parts and no squeaks... I wonder if something else is going on??

I have a 2001 ski Nautique. I havethe helm and cable and it's still a bit stiff on steering. I have to almost pull the gas tank to access the nut on top of rudder shaft. That is a pain... Is there an easier answer that I'm missing??

I switched to a 1.183 diameter handle several years ago. I was skiing at Chet Raley's and he liked the large handle for elbow pain. I switched and have had no trouble since. Last year I forgot my handled one day, I took one set on my partners small handle and my elbow hurt for the rest of the summer.

I agree with the hips forward. I would prefer to look like stick 4, I'm a version of stick 1. Looking at the two skiers, the top one is faster with less load and more speed. Both have bent ankles. The second skier has a great stack with high load and may have to give some back before the second wake. The first skier has room to add or accept load before the second wake.... Probably with a better payoff in terms of space and time prior to the next buoy. I wonder if skier 1 is carrying speed to the white water that skier 2 didn't have? Maybe trying to shift focus to bending ankles could help move me to the fast part of the ski. Standing tall is another "key" Chet Raley says " chin over belt buckle ". Speed is our friend, the question for me is how to get it AND keep it

I think the skiers shown above is a perfect illustration of light vs heavy on the line. Like so many other things in this sport, knowing something and executing it is the problem. How do you with "singular focus move forward with the boat instead of back". I sorta feel that move with the boat on my pullout and glide, as soon as I turn in, I feel like the battle begins. The mantra is always.... Hips up! Shoulders back, chest out, handle low, stack..... I sometimes accomplish all of that and still don't feel that effortless looking acceleration shown above. What keys help with moving forward with the boat??

Robby at Ski Sunset Ranch is a Camaro dealer. I initially ordered an XL. I'm 6'4" about 205-210. The suit was tight and short. Robbie ordered an XL Tall and it fits much much better. Perhaps the same solution is available in women's sizes? Good luck

I was happy to hear about the 38. Great family and a wonderful accomplishment. Nice to see that good things can happen to good people. Now it's just another 18" :)

Binding placement question on new 68 Vapor. I have a big foot (13+) squeezed into a large Wileys Pro Wrap. Previously, I was on the green Vapor, then the Blue Vapor and now the current one. This new Vapor is stellar and the out of the box setup by Brooks Wilson at Nationals is perfect!! The ski does things in the glide and onside turn that the other Vapors did not do. So the question... The recommended setup is 30" from the front boot heel to tail. I'm at 30.75" to the inside of the rear horseshoe. The ski feels great and I'm not inclined to change, just wondering why the measure could be so dramatically different. Ankle placement due to foot size, rubber vs. hard shell??? People are discussing fin changes of a few thousandths and I'm wondering about 3/4" binding location!

I'm visiting Amelia Island / Jacksonville area in NE Florida for a couple of days after Nationals. I would love to get a set in the area this weekend before heading back to to the cold north. Any help would be wonderful

@KTM300 Thanks for great concise post. Most skiers seem to be kinda "C" shaped in Thoracic and many have low back issues. Maybe we now know why. Thanks again

Check out the back brace on this website www.ruoutside.com. I've used it summer and winter and find it to be very comfortable. It is very adjustable, washable,drys quickly and is long lasting. The website has other support products designed for active people. I believe the support is called " The Backthing"

My 68 is working pretty good in our Ak water. Temps similar to yours. My settings for a Wileys front binding is 30",DFT .790 slot caliper, Length 6.799 tips, Depth 2.510, 8.0 wing. I have found, in the past, that bindings back for cold and forward for warm seem to work. I suggest you pick one thing and make a significant change. Bindings may be an easy first step. Mapple's site suggests changing DFT for different water temps..... that is also an easy first step. Kinda easy to start chasing your tail, but different settings sure can make a difference. Let us know if you find the magic Northern numbers!!

I had an unusual water pump experience on my 2001 Nautique. Upon testing at the beginning of the season, the impeller would not properly draw water from a bucket full of water. Headers would begin to overheat. I removed the impeller and it appeared fine, reinstalled pump....same issue. Complete rebuild kit installed, new impeller new o ring, new brass plate, everything works like it should. Perhaps a test to consider.... remove the raw water intake hose by the transmission, stick a garden hose into the intake hose and run the boat..... if your headers are cool and temps ok, I doubt there is a blockage. Next, stick the raw water intake hose into a bucket that you are filling with a garden hose.... run the motor, you should feel strong suction at the intake hose end, headers should remain cool.... if not, and all of your hose connections are tight, try a full pump rebuild kit. Good luck, there is an answer.

Wow, Thanks for the input.. I haven't looked at the HO EXO either. Not much opportunity to try options on in Alaska. Next trip out, I will find a dealer with some selection. Shipping costs are awful for failed attempts and returns. Wiley's is pretty close and they have been nice to deal with over the yrs.. Again, thanks for your input, you guys are awesome.

I don't get it!! Apparently Dave Goode also has size 13 feet. My friend just got some Large PS5's for his size 12 foot. I took the liners out of his shells, put my hoof in there, and my heel touched the plastic in the back, and my toes touched the plastic in the front WITH NO LINERS. I tried the boots on with his 12 liners and I could not buckle the darn things let alone ski in them. Maybe I should see an orthopod and solve this once and for all!! How valuable are toes past the knuckle??

I have looked at their chart.... I guess I will contact H2osmosis and visit with them. It appears, from a recent picture in Waterski Magazine that Chris Parrish is on that binding. He is a big guy and probably has feet to match.

Thanks Brent for the input.... I would like to go in a direction I have not been before.. Any large footed Fogman users???

I have not tried Superfeet.... I have the insole that came with the Strada. I tried molding following Strada instructions. One suggestion was to heat the liner up outside of the shell to " swell it up" and try that.... Might be my next attempt

I'm stuck. I would like to try Goode powershell 5. The large size is too small. Tried Fluid Motion a few yrs ago... not good for me. Went to Wiley's, decent to good, lacked some adjustability. I am on comfy Strada boots, I don't like entry exit headaches and they feel sloppy. Reflex says they go to size 12only. Fogman does have a 13 and appears to look similar to Goode.... never have seen a Fogman and have no experience. Certainly there is someone on this forum that has been down this path. I did try going down to a 12 on the Strada and that was too tight. I have kind of a low volume foot shape... about a 13 c/d width with no arch or instep issues. Suggestions??? Direction to a knowledgable binding person?? Thanks