bbirlew

I learned them over 25 years ago now so I imagine some things have changed in technique and coaching from back then, but what I did (in addition to the great tips from eleeski) was turn them smooth and controlled. I couldn't hold them when I snapped them around quickly. The second thing I did was slow the boat speed down a bunch to the point where I was plowing a bit. Then when I had made it to the back position I put a bunch of weight on my front foot toes to drive the tip of the ski into the water. This allowed the ski to dig in and hold that edge and track in the back position easier. From there I could hold it and play with body position a bit and speed the boat back up slowly once I had become comfortable with the position.

I added a tower to my '94 nautique after years of skiing it anywhere between 15 and 35off in the course and free skiing shorter than that. I also routinely ski behind the same hull on my ski partners boat. I can say with certainty that the effect of the fuel level in the tank has more of an effect on the wake than the tower. Also, I'd guess it is significantly less than 100lbs. Easy to lift up over my head with 1 arm.

@luzz, Weight forward on a wakesurfer speeds you up. Shifting it back slows you down... I think maybe you got it mixed up in your original post and that was @jimbrake's comment.

I did that for 20 years and still revert back to it out of habit when I don't focus on it! I think you've got it figured out. Stand a bit taller and weight on your front foot comming Into the wake. You likely have your hips a bit back and shoulders forward. Wait for the top of the wake to throw it too, but the landing is usually a result of your approach position.

The 2001 is on the top of the list for 'budget wakeboats'. It's only downfall is lack of space, but the narrow width makes it easy to sink without too much ballast and it throws a nice crisp wake. More wake than 99.999 % of wakeboarders would know what to do with. They can be purchased cheep too. Yes they look nice as a ski boat, but trust me... You don't want to ski behind one!!!

Right... ARE... Guardian I think they are called.

I'm only a 3000 point tricker and my toe pass is a simple TO, tb, TF, TWB, TWF, TS, R, LB LF WLB WLF. But all the people I ski with still use the old ARC releases. What is the issue with them? Can they get hung up if too much tension is on it on a late pin? I've never had an issue, but it seems like most skiers now days avoid them...

With handle pass os, obviously surface os are a foundation trick. Make sure you are doing them smoothly and without a 'hitch' in the back position. Start with knees bent and arms relaxed (outstretched with a small bend in them but held low at waist height, not shoulder height). Learn both in->out and outside the wake in. Start from only about a foot away from the wake and start your edge by dropping your hip in the direction you want to travel but keeping your shoulders level. Next, it's 'pop, pull, pass'. Wait until your ski releases from the wake (with a very slight leg extension - pop) and then pull the rope in to your hip. (If you are spinning to your left side, pull the rope into your right hip) Pull the handle through to the small of your back keeping it right to your body. Pass the handle and look for the boat to spot your landing. Don't throw your shoulders around... Keep them upright and use the pull to your hip to spin you. If you find you are sliding out on the landing try a shorter run-in and try to land with the ski on edge continuing in the direction you initiated the trick in. Good luck.

My recollection (not firsthand) is that the worlds and many other successful tournaments have been held at long pond center island. I heard they moved these ones to increase exposure but the skiing conditions aren't as good... But that is just third hand word at best... I live on the other side of the country!

Just touch it in and out of gear with the wheel cranked to counteract the prop-walk. Keeping it in gear will send you off in circles.

@gsm_peter, Like Eric said, not much in the way of prerequisites for a flip. Just work on a progressive edge into the wake to build line tension. And give it a try! Turns out falling on them doesn't hurt any more than any other trick.

As everyone else already mentioned, just play on it as much as you can. Work on jumping wake to wake. Try skiing around on one foot and jumping wake to wake on 1 foot (really keeps you centered over your ski). Spray wars Slippery slalom Once you get your back position, spend as much time as you can in that position. Don't be in a rush to turn back forwards. Work on your balance in that position. Cross the wakes, etc. most of all, have fun!!

I love when waterski gear needs 'more testing'! (As if I need another excuse to go and ski!!)

Width is a personal preference thing. The extra padding you are seeing is likely floatation. When you do toe tricks you can't let go of the rope when you fall, so someone in the boat releases the rope from the pylon. You don't want it to sink! Go for a handle with integrated toe hold and braid along the bridle. Toes are easier than you think to learn the basics and there is no real disadvantage to having it there. Weight won't be a concern for a trick handle for all but the most advanced trickers. I do multiple inverts, 3s and 5s and still use this type of handle despite owning multiple different types of wakeboard specific handles. The braid allows you to securely grab the rope for getting into the toe harness or learning wrapped spins. The mini-handle is more of a wakeboard thing.

I have quite a different boat ('94 nautique with throttle body injected 5.8HO PCM) but had the same symptoms... For me it was a bad coil pack. A buddy had a spare one and I swapped it out with one side then the other until I found the culprit. I think the things that triggered limp mode on my boat were temperature or oil pressure sensors. (Maybe knock sensor on a Gm block?) I was also told to check spark plugs and wires. (Start with the inexpensive stuff and work your way up) I was told to first disconnect the temp sensor and if I was still experiencing symptoms try the oil pressure. The signal goes high when trouble is detected so it should run fine without them connected. These are different from the gauge sending units so you will still have your dash gauges to keep an eye on things. Check for corrosion where the plug wires connect to the plugs and coil pack. Emery paper will clean up the surfaces. Again, a much older boat than yours, but some of it may be applicable? Good luck!

Of the comp vests I'll add a +1 for the oneil outlaw. One of the only comp vests I've found that will actually float me with no air in my lungs, but not bulky or restrictive. I've worn one for years now, but sorry, no input on how well it would protect the ribs... Hopefully I won't be doing that experiment any time soon!

@ms, Re:why not add the weight at the factory? I'd imagine that many people have at least 50lbs of tools/anchor/life jackets /paddles/etc up in the bow. If the weight was built in, big lake skiers who have to carry that stuff in our boats would then have too much up there... I'd guess private lake skiers don't have all that stuff with them at all times... You can always add weight to help things (or balance the boat out based on crew) but you can't remove it once it is in there...

@Razorskier1, Give it a go for a few passes and report back!!!

30 years ago (age 8) I had made a habit of whipping into shore at the end of my slalom run and stepping out of my ski as it stopped on the sandbar. One day I misjudged my speed and you can imagine the face plant! Then at age 15 obrien had sent me a prototype 'twin tip' wakeboard and I broke my foot and blew out my knee doing a switch back roll just days before waterski nationals.... I could go on, but that is enough stupid for tonight!!

@Than_Bogan‌, Every summer growing up in the 80's we would spend 3 weeks camping at the lake - slalom, tricks, kneeboarding, barefoot - and mille borne every night! Our cards looked quite different from those though... I'd have never recognized it from those. Good memories!

@simonz, Back in the 90's I got the opportunity to spend 2 days with mapple working a boat show. He also told me he didn't work out... Even as a 15yr old kid I didn't believe him, and have since heard that not to be true. These guys are fierce competitors to get to the level they are at, and may or may not fully disclose their complete routine to a relative stranger (even a kid in my case)

Don't know if they are still involved with the shop, but Paul & Murray at HO Watersports (aka the board room) out of Vancouver were always my go-to guys. They were the western canadian distributers of HO, and were very involved and supportive of the tournament scene back a few years. If mike @ Shuswap can't help you I'd try them. Good luck.

+1 for tower biminis. They were highly recommended from one of the wake sites, and delivered it up to canada for me with no hassles.

@ozski‌, When I think 'light on the line', I think of both roll angle of the ski and planing angle of the ski. Am I dug in and plowing vs efficiently skimming over the surface.

@webbdawg99‌, Sure, I don't think anyone is arguing against that, but you can: 1) have lots of fun 2) build something unique & cool 3) probably learn something about your own skiing.