sunvalleylaw

Wow, that is just frightening! I have driven an open bow outboard since I was 14 and never ever had anything close to that happen.

I don't have a problem with seeing the inside that is not exactly like any other ski, as long as the ski is within spec. And I am pretty sure they are not letting skis go out that are not within spec. Interesting stuff. Lots of buzz about this ski.

Any chance we could get a thread (maybe this one) where the guys that get to ski a lot of skis could give their comparative thoughts on the various skis out there, for those of us that don't get the opportunity to ski a ton of different skis? I realize each person's perceptions and experiences are going to be different, and that it would be best to ride before you buy. But maybe such a thread could narrow the field for demo purposes. Something comparing attributes, characteristics, and feel of skis like the Fusion, Nano 1, Prophecy, S2, etc. I hate to ask of you guys that get to ride skis and do reviews, as you already do a lot. But, you guys have the best opportunity. Whaddaya' think? I'd buy some beer for anyone that wants to take a whack at it!

Nice little vid! I grew up in the Tacoma area, and always wanted to get out on the south western WA comp lakes. Never got around to it. The vid makes is look like a fun place to hang out! Curious, what do the water temps run there? Say Hi to the Ramtha for me! ;-)

@MS, yep. I found that out yesterday. I had no idea I was getting that on this used RCX. Pretty cool! Seems to work good for me from what I can tell.

Just for reference, this is how my fin and wing currently look: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/sunvalleylaw/fin.jpg

@crashman, grrr. ;-) I have to go on a savings/extra earning plan to make our new family boat happen.

Only ever bought one boat, an '88 Seaswirl outboard open bow in '93 for like $3500. Not a comp boat by any means, and I am looking to replace it, but it has provided years and years of fun, before and after family. http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/sunvalleylaw/GOPR0252.jpg

Also, I thought I read that the Centurion wake was pretty good, in one of these threads.

@escmanaze, HaHa! Yeah, that is what I thought. I may end up shopping down in your neck of the woods. Some deals come up in Boise, (I am near Sun Valley), but I bet there are more boats in your market. But I am just in the research stage right now. Have to still get the dough pulled together. Probably a purchase sometime in the next year. About the SNOB, I guess I was thinking that as long as you 93 and forward, you were good. The hull was good for wakes all through the 90s, according to some above, but in 93, they started using fiberglass stringers instead of wood. I know a lot love the late 90's SNOBs, but they are still out of my price range, and I am still not sure of the difference. I also still need to understand the difference between the Malibu open bows. I like the idea of a step-over with underneath.

@6Balls, thanks. I might get it right one of these days. :-)

@Bulldog, I still get mixed up on the Malibu model designations. So LX is walk-through and LXi is step-over? If so, I think that would be my second choice after the SNOB, though I think either look like they would be good.

@east tx skier, I think a mid-90's SNOB is my first choice, then maybe a Malibu Echelon or Response LX. As I look at this, I think a step over would work well for us.

I have boat lust.

@Horton, hey can you tell from this photo if this looks like one of yours? http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/sunvalleylaw/fin.jpg

I'm not that worried about it. Last time I skied, I was on three different skis that day with different lengths, wing and fin settings, and design. I will take it easy on the first couple turns and try to develop a rhythm as always. But always good to develop a rhythm and feel before just going for it.

@Garn, I agree. I always respected Andy's talent and skill back in the day, but he was not my favorite personality on the tour that was televised back then, at least from what one could see on TV. He seems quite a bit more relaxed and in perspective now. But even back then, I was not going to criticize. He maintained himself at the top for a good long time.

Wow, nice looking boat!

Andy is such an inspiration, and has been since I stopped skiing as much right around the time he quit comps. Then and now, if he can do what he can do at his age (pretty close to my age), I can certainly continue to go for it and improve. Mr. Goode is a class act. Nice interview.

Hey, BTW @RichareDoane, do you know my old high school classmate Tim Melton? He used to ski a lot up there at the comp lakes. Wondered if he was still involved.

Wish I was still in the area. I would go check it out. I was there (Gig Harbor and Hood Canal area actually) a week ago. I always wanted to check out Broho when I lived there. I hope you have a great, successful event!

Hey, another boat I just thought of was the 90's O/B Tige's. My brother co-owns a 95, and he likes it a lot. I have skied behind it and I remember the wake as being pretty decent for slalom. What do you guys think of that boat?

I voted no. I would attend nationals mostly to watch the best ski. But I think there could be a way to accomplish both the goal of an event to determine national champions, and to hold a national tourney without the requirement of regional qualification. Hold the event at a venue that has enough space to hold both type of tourneys, and allow entrants to enter one or the other. Either you are skiing in the Nat'l championships because you qualified, or you are skiing in the all comers event for fun. Fun available for all, and bona fide nat'l champs could be decided efficiently.

another thought that could make it more inclusive for those that want to attend and compete without doing regionals first: have at a venue with at least a couple ski lakes that could also hold an all comers age bracketed comp that did not have qualifying requirements, and also have the main show for the qualifiers. A person could enter only one comp or the other, held at the same venue at the same time. That way you get your purpose 1 and 2 accomplished, because I think both are important, and think it is quite important to have an tournament that determines national champions from the best skiers in the age brackets.

@Than, that was pretty much how I ran it on my old Duvall. It was more of a security blanket than anything, or so I think at this point. Given my goals, I am just going to try it with the wing removed altogether.