sunvalleylaw

I went from Leverages to T-Factors this year. Got a new ARC this year, and put my old Leverages from my old Nomad on them. The ARC felt very comfortable and familiar but with rockets and afterburners, and much better tires for tight turning installed, on the very first run. A couple weeks later, went to T-Factors as I needed some bindings for a ski for my kid, and figured I would rebuild the leverages (they need the wraps replaced) for him, and try the T-factors. They felt VERY weird at first on my new ski. I felt very edgy and catchy, like a race tuned pair of alpine slalom skis where the tech forgot to detune the tip and tail at all. But, after a couple/few sets, my body, balance and reflexes got used to it and since it has felt great. I would give it a few sets/days as the others have suggested. It didn't take me long but I ended up really liking these bindings.

EDITED. @Horton , do you know which event? I would guess the 1972 Nationals at Greenlake? I have no idea if this is photo is from the same event. Just a similar suit worn by Mike I would guess in the same time frame.

Question, what year did MC stop using wood stringers? And also, I always had a soft sport for the stars and bars look. When did that go away?

I think that is on Greenlake in Seattle. *Googles* Yep, that was probably Greenlake. No idea who the skier would have been. From the Lake Sammamish Water Ski Club History page: The Northwest Water Ski Federation was formed, with the first few presidents being members of LSWSC. In 1961, the club was asked to co-sponsor the Seafair tournament on Greenlake with Greater Seattle, Inc. This association continued for over 20 years. The club sponsored the Western in 1961 and 1967. The 1972 Nationals at Greenlake and the 1974 Regionals at O’Brien Lake were also club events. Many of our competitive skiers achieve state, regional and national recognition for setting new records in slalom, tricks and jumping. Lake Sammamish History

The Fonz?

I keep getting a bit stuck on wanting something like this that can be used for slalom progression and learning, and also for playing around free skiing, and for guests, and wanting something like the Katana. Seems like both could work but one would be geared more for playing, and one would be geared more for course. But they perhaps crossover a little. Thoughts?

Will get me that in Boise, then a few pints from O'Reilly's or wherever, and be ready for 3 oil changes. I didn't pull the trigger a couple weeks ago when the Amazon price was $12 per gallon delivered to my door, and now it is $17.57. So, that is a decent price.

@"76S&S" , from there, if at all possible, I would try to hop on the skis and see, and then not over analyze but go with what one feels bed. But you said that wasn't possible. So based on the above, I think you can't go wrong either way, and you should just go with your gut and instinct and enjoy it. I know I enjoy mine! Happy shopping and skiing!

@6balls , there is a good "Jump Off" rock at Redfish where we often ski. Way back in that basin at the base of the mountains in that first pic in my post above. It was a bit less of a jump this year as the lake was so full. But still a lot of fun to get your inner Mountain Dew going.

@DavidN That makes sense. I am on the heavier side of the range for my length, so even if I was good enough to really tell, I bet I would still feel great on the yellow. Feels super smooth and carvey to me around the turn. Even better when I stand on it and finish the turn correctly. Though it is forgiving when I don't.

@DavidN , did you try the yellow ARC too before getting your ARC-S? If so, I am curious about your impressions. I fell so deeply in love with my new ARC right away that I told Paul not to bother sending out an ARC-S to try. And at my current level, I do not think it would make a lot of difference. But just curious if you had any impressions. It seems a very personal thing.

Free-ski stories. Some highlights. Youth: in my early days in my friends' boats, running out of gas after a day of skiing off the beach in Puget Sound and trying to paddle against the tide (with your waterskis) before the tide pulls you to Olympia. After an awesome day using the two six gallon cans you brought in the outboard. Jumping yacht wakes in the tri-hull glastron. Draining water out of the boat by unplugging the plug inside the boat while the boat is up on plane and letting the water run out. Switching out gas cans while under way while the outboard continues with the gas in the line. Endless runs trying to make the biggest spray and get the lowest to the water. Getting our own family Glastron, and right away hauling it all the way down to Lake Tahoe, and skiing over that clear water looking at house sized rocks way down below you that look like they are going to be right under the surface. Watching Dad get out there and have a pull on the glassy clear water. Seeing the old hippy dude in his rubber Zodiac headed to the nude beach that is apparently near where your family set up for the day, he standing behind a console driving with his "depth finder" flapping in the wind. (ACK!) Young adult: Houseboat trips at Shasta, out of Silverthorne. First with family (got to catch a Suyderhoud show one night), then with my wife's crazy Chiropractor friends from their school in Sunnyvale, some local, some from afar. Storming the beaches like houseboat pirates, Patron, mixer, limes and chair in hand, delivering Upside Down Margaritas to unsuspecting other houseboaters camped on the beach. Beach fires, bears, then ripping the glass to chase away the night in the morning. Wild times, fun skiing. First time I fell in love with a Malibu wake. @SkiJay , yes, long endurance runs. Trying to copy what I see on tv and videotape, and using the natural swing, for me, of 28' off. More recently, and after kids, camping at Mountain Lakes (Including Redfish Lake, site of eclipse totality, Idaho), skiing back into the far basin below the rock giants dressed with skirts (or kilts) of green. Now with a better boat. Skiing with your brothers and friends out at Hood Canal and Puget Sound in general on flat water with sea lions, eagles, and sometimes . . . beer. Best yet, getting your kids into it with a nice DD boat, some decent wetsuits, and some decent ski gear. Your kid wanting to watch and copy Terry Winter videos, (and you, but you tell him to watch Terry). Your daughter getting up on skis for the first time after only wakeboarding before, and volunteering for morning missions, even when there is still snow on the ground, and snow runoff pouring into the lake. I am really, really enjoying making some progress in the course, but will always value our freeski time. Hoping to put together a family trip either to Powell or back down to Shasta. We have done Shasta, may have to do Powell.

Just popping in to say that after a couple sets of lessons, and some practice, things are progressing. Much better than before the lessons also. Still seeing if I can get to Gilbert this weekend. I have some parenting commitments that may interfere, but seeing what we can do. But whatever happens, enjoying the quest, now even more with some coaching. So worth it.

@GAJ0004 , does your Perfect Pass Stargazer have the Z-box? I hope to have that system, including z-box installed in my personal boat by next year, and so am curious. Once I have that, I will have to see what setting matches up with the boat(s) I ski behind down at the slalom lake best. They are both Malibus. A 2017 and a 2015. And my boat is a Malibu, just a lot older.

Hey @Mitzysman ! I was in your shoes last year, getting our Malibu in early August. Prior, I had been driving an outboard since I was 12, and felt very comfortable there. The people above have given good advice. My additional tips are to make sure you play the wind if there is some, as bumping for me still feels less directional than powering with the prop on my outboard. I find this to be mostly an issue back onto the trailer at the end of the day when it is windy. But with practice, I am getting lots better. I find that I don't want to crank it and over correct with the rudder. I use the rudder I need and not more, and use bumps to control rate and amount, if that makes sense. I like to come up to the dock on the driver's side, not at too much of an angle, and bump back in reverse to settle in nicely. sometimes after turning a counter clockwise circle if I want the bow out toward the lake. This seems to work well for me. goes without saying to approach the skier on the driver's side and don't point the boat at the skier. You already know that I am sure. I am in a Malibu so my advice as to directions will need to be reversed as to a Nautique, which as has been noted, pulls to the other side in reverse. Which boat are you in? And with regard to starting a skier, I like to use the "bump" there also in my boat with its idle setting. Full "In Gear" provides a little too much pull. Bumping helps me make sure I am lined up for a straight start, and provides some line tension without pulling the skier over. With very experienced skiers, this is a little easier. Just some thoughts from an also pretty new guy coming from outboard world.

Glad to hear you are coming back. Slow and steady! You'll be back before you know it!

@OldGuysRule , curious as to the model. Do you know?

Congrats to @twhisper . Super fun to watch online.

Beater Suburban. (Which is also the name I want to use for a band of loud obnoxious Dad grunge/garage rockers I would like to form.) I would like to upgrade to an extended cab 250 or 2500 level diesel pickup, brand as yet undetermined, so that we can put a good camper/topper on there and still pull the boat. The 8700' pass we climb to the north lakes puts a lot of wear on that old Suburban.

Run off in the women's. Fun to watch!

Enjoying the webcast of the women right now. Conditions look good from here. Good looking skiing. Good for me to watch. Looking forward to seeing the men too. A good looking crew in there! I have my favorites to cheer for but I want them all to do well.

I think I am getting kinda addicted to this course thing. Not that I will give up freeskiing. But still . . . .

Today is the first day back on my ski since this day. Was able to increase speed and build from where I was last week, and start to work at doing it with better technique. Happy about it.

Yeah, that is a project that will probably be lower down the list as compared to some other things. But when I get there, probably I will just use a basic toggle or maybe a telecaster three-way switch if there are two heat settings and off or I could do an amp knob marked to go to 11!

Good luck all you folks down there!