DooSPX

I will admit, I have never driven a boxster. I have driven a 996TT and recently a 997 GT3R around Sebring Int. Raceway. I also have driven a LS2 miata and a C5Z.

HAHA! @oldjeep , so true. the Boxster should not wear the Porsche name.

@DW, so true about the advantage to skiing! One of the many things that's great about water skiing.

I still have the original sticker for my 91 Prostar 190. Back in late 1990, the boat stickered at 24,900. That was a fair amount of money back then. These boats never have been cheap.

Nate is a great guy and a true star in our sport. When I approached him at the event in Orlando, he was rolling on the ground playing with Freddy and Karen's boy. I timidly approached, asking if he minded posing for a quick photo. He jumped up, shook my hand and said, "no problem" I thanked him and apologized to him and Karen. That quick photo turned into several minutes of talking about the sport and other general related stuff. Truly and great human being. Also, Karen K. was also very sweet.

 

I LOVE THIS SPORT!!!!

 

Believe me, I understand. I piled my drag car into the wall at 187mph. I was knocked silly. I learned my lesson about where the fire bottle's pyrometer needed to be mounted. One of the emergency team had to reach into the car and push the plunger attached to my roll cage as it didn't automatically release.

 

@ShaneH , Thank God that never happened while I was racing. The only event was I got the car sideways at 135, thank God I was still on the stock 275/40/17's with 15" 305 MT DR's out back. I believe that the wide front tires helped me get control of the car quicker. I was probably a few feet from the right lane wall (racing in left lane). Of course it was only a mid 10 second street car.

 

Thanks for the pic's of the new PS. I'm really digging it!

My last ski set so far was two weeks ago. I was pulling my uncle, he had a crazy OTF and broke a rib. He still gets it pretty good on the water for being 67 years old.

I agree 100% @Horton, I feel that a slalom boat in that price range is a GREAT thing for our sport! I'm glad to see Mark is so passionate about water sports! While I may be a MC fan boy, I am glad to have his boats back in the lineup and I hope he succeeds past his expectations.

@MattP , that really does not surprise me. Those three are the absolutely on another level right now.

Craig, sorry to see the boat go. I followed the progress on TT. Great boat! Someone is going to get a great boat for a hellva price!

That brace looks like what I need as well! I need the support during normal knee movement!

If you are looking into a new boat, consider the new MasterCraft Prostar. The new boat was designed with 22 off slow speed skiers in mind. It probably has the best long line slow speed wake available. and You can order it with a tonneau cover on the bow to convert from closed to open bow.

I have faith that @The_Krista can really make leaps and bounds over the communication issues as well as making Drivers, Scorers, etc feel wanted. I believe she will do great at this because she has a passion for the sport and truly wants to spread the word about competitive as well as recreational skiing in general. Coupled with her and the other new staff they have brought in, I have faith.

I wish I would have got a chance to talk to her at Orlando a few weeks ago, but what I saw, she was super busy running all around doing to best to be sure things run smoothly from her end. I would not distract her from that just to say Hi and pick her brain a little. That's what this site is for. lol

I love it! I would spend hours in this section taking notes from some of the best!

Even if they stop production in Mexico, we have the latest LS platforms. You have the 6.0 and 6.2 LS platform that will still go strong forever. We have so many options in the GM LS family, it's silly not to use them. We already have the LS based 6.0, 6.2 and the LSA supercharged from the V available. If you want smaller displacement, I think a supercharged 5.3 would be a nice addition. Think the Joe Gibbs Chevy's that were sold through GM.

But with any FI application in a towboat that is constantly under load, long term reliability IMO would be an issue. With the NA engines, with regular maintenance can go hundreds and hundreds of hours with no issues. In a FI application where the boat would be under load for a large majority of the time, I see issues down the road...

For slalom and jump I think a few skiers deserve to be skiers of the year. Nate and CP. Regina and Karina. Ryan and Freddy. I feel its fair to say, when you see these names, you associate them with greatness in the last few years of our sport. In 2014 specifically, Nate, Ryan and Regina. I believe the fact that Freddy was out with an injury for a while, and not training much, that's what allowed Ryan to take the last few wins. BUT, nothing against Ryan, HELLVA good skier and deserves to be on top.

Fords 6.2 mod motor is 430 at 4500rpm. I wouldn't call that lower rpm then pushrods. That's a typical rpm range for torque across the platforms(typically 4000-4800). I also do not agree with four valve making more power. Again, it all comes down to valve events, shape and design of runners, combustion chambers, valve sizes, etc. example, the new L86 makes 460 trq at 4100rpm. Its just a combo of valve events (VVT) and DI.

Having built, tuned, dyno'ed and raced a few GM LS platforms as well as building a buddies Ford 4 valve, I will stick with the pushrods for reliability, simplicity, fuel efficiency and power

EDIT: @eficalibrator said the same...

@Ed, Turbo's are driven from exhaust, not belt driven which would make a RPM dependent power range. Turbo's are load dependent, sized properly, can make full boost (power) at very early rpm. Example, the 6.6 Duramax makes peak torque at 1,600 and peak horsepower at 3,200. The Ecoboost peak hp is at 5000 and peak trq (420SAE) is at 2,000 if I recall correctly.

 

 

Even more respect for him now! Good grief! Kids' insane!

I came from a System 8 to a CoX SL. The CoX is a great ski. I will not go back to my System 8. It is now used by my buddy.

I didn't get to watch the last round on webcast, but saw Regina won. That girl is on fire, a true talent on the water! Congrats to her, Nate and CP for they all cooked it in the conditions where I wouldn't even attempt. lol

I have in the past on the boom, but haven't in 10 years or so.

I find the HO CoX to be a fast but forgiving ski. My form is shitty to say the least, and the ski performs well for me.

I will load the pictures I have up in another day or so. Congratulations to Nate and all the other skiers for winning Orlando. Hope they do it again next year! Also, thanks for Nautique, HO Skis and others who helped make it possible!