Joeprunc

@vtmecheng I agree, but didn't think about pictures yesterday. And unfortunately isn't my setup. I'll see if he can send me some photos, or post them here if he is a user.

@Horton thank you for the replies. Like I said, I haven't used this system, but as an engineer I always like to understand and fix things. Dooley noted on the setting is not being a DIN setting. With a snow ski background, that is where my mind traveled. Thank you for the clarification. @Deanoski thank you that's what I was thinking, however with a brand new system I'd expect better tolerances from the showroom. That's were I was thinking if there was an issue with the rise of the plate at the toe bar.

I'm posting this for a ski buddy, but also want to know myself as I am very close to trying out a Reflex front boot. Friend purchased a brand new Reflex front boot/binding system from a reputable store, they set it up for him and he verified it per the Reflex Manual. He is a size 12 boot black with a Large carbon plate. His din setting was originally 4.5 and could safely release from the dock. He has had maybe 4/5 sets on the system and having a hell of a time. After one pass he notices that there is significant play in his toe, left/right. He tried to increase the din to 6/7 to help this, but it hasn't. He has had two pretty bad releases while crossing the wake this week and is about ready to throw away the Relfex system. I know most of you are very meticulous and know your systems inside and out, hoping for some guidance to keep him on reflex, and maybe sell me on the system too. Two things we noticed on the dock yesterday (while keeping social distancing) 1) When he first locks in the boot is secure as it should. If any backward force is applied to the boot, the release mechanism moves and allows the toe to only contact the bar at the top. This movement is excessive, maybe 1/4". This allows the left/right toe wiggle. I know you can move the binding mounting point to the next hole forward, but that should be only after the boot wears. 2) The large plate has a lot of "Rise" at the toe bar. Due to the large foot, mounting hole locations and load put on the plate from the boot/binding, the plate of the toe bar is maybe 1/16" to 1/8" off the face of the ski. He is on a 68" 2019 Vapor Pro Build. To get the proper boot placement there are no other holes in binding or ski to better secure this. We are just average weekend warriors, he skis at -15' - 30mph through 34mph. Two other folks in our club also have the Reflex system. Ones boot did not move at all (size 8 with small plate), the other moved just as much (size 10 with small plate), but his system is older and was still on the rear hole for the release mechanism. Any help would be awesome.

That is a nice looking boat, and I think the choice will allow everyone in the family to have a great time on the water. Congrats

@Brewski are you just hoping to get a few pictures of good looking spotters?...she usually sits up front when skiing :)

I don't tow much any more. But as others iterate, trailer maintenance and spare parts will make the trip easier. Unfortunately those that keep their boats on a hoist never use a trailer, and over time of just sitting trailer components will fail. Chances are you will find them one you are on the road. I always bring a floor jack, jack stand, and wheel chocks for any road side repairs. I've towed my boat to Lake Powell 1600 miles round trip. 650km should be a breeze.

Switched to an HRT this year. Took a good 3 to 4 sets to get used to it. It was all sorts of weird feeling water on my ankle while turning, and very foreign having that much freedom. I really wanted to make this work so i stuck it out, and now really really like it. One trick i do to make myself feel more connected, I put my foot in and instead of kicking it forward towards the front boot, I pull it back so my heel makes contact with the heel piece. Then i tighten down. I did cut my feather frame down to allow for bolting closer to the front binding. And yes they release, a bit easier than the Vapor bindings (so now i run my vapors a bit looser up top)

@scottyspin looks like a great boat and congrats! That boat will last you a long time. Looks like Rivers End and Victoria. Come on out and ski with us at Diablo Water Ski Club, always looking for new members! We have work party this Saturday if you are on the water come by and introduce yourself!

O'neill hybrid Assault drysuit. Very comfortable, and less restrictive on the upper body. I actually prefer this over a spring suit.

Yes, regular footed for all sports. Surfing your back foot is your power foot....that's why I suck and skiing.

Personally I'm not a fan of the Illusion on an RLXI. The older boats don't have many factory options for a tower, as the companies that made the tower most likely switched all their tooling for the latest designs. Getting a used one you need to make sure the beam dimensions match. I believe the windshield of the 03-06 extends further back than the 08, so there might be more rope issues that the second gen. Some of the RLXis came with the Skylon Swoop which I believe you can still purchase, and fold down. Samson also makes a tower which mimics the G3 or illusion. But looks like it would significantly interfere with the rope. I ended up getting a custom tower installed by ProFlight. Wanted the bottom hoop to match the windshield line

Anyone new trying this? How are you liking it? I'm looking for a "Gym buddy", but a lot of the apps I've looked at are how to get sweet pecks and abs. But not really specific to sports. I race motocross too and have been looking as some of the moto specific workout plans too.

I have a pair of M if you want. I moved away from Kevlar.

Got two sets 11/1 and one last night. Trunks and vest only. This is the warmest Nov I can remember here.

I will trade you my 06 LXI for you TXi :). Learning to ski the course with a smaller wake makes a big difference....but with that said, good form and confidence will trump the wake size. A 196 does put out a great wake especially when all the extra weight in the rear is out. I do like the wake of a 196 better than my RLXi, but the additional room and versatility for me is way more important. Have you tried to reprop? Do you remove your seat when skiing? And like @Zman stated above skiing with Zero Off is a HUGE difference between PP. Try skiing with your ZO settings at "Light" and A1. The change in having a softer setting will not help your wake, but should give you additional time to get in correct body position, and a little extra time to recover from bad body positions.

Interested in this thread. This season I too am having a hell of a time with my forearm strength. By the 4th pass I'm already feeling it. I'm only 36 an this never happened for me in the past...the only things I've done differently this season are, I didn't open water ski, I didn't race MX, and worked way to many hours. And no I'm not going to use clincher gloves.

I broke my gloves BOA system a few weeks ago. I luckily had enough cable to not need a kit. However i did search high and low for the a tool I'd have in my garage to unscrew the screw to remove the cap. I finally found a T5 torx to work. I'm not sure if this is the same screw for the bindings, but just throwing that info out for the web. (looking from the link by @pregom some require a T6 or a different tool)

oh and the thicker your wetsuit the less mobility you are going to have. A 5/4mm is going to be a thick motor scooter. The higher end models usually use a much nicer more mobile neoprene....but again skiing there is very very little movement in comparison to surfing. I've had all the above major wetsuit brands over the years. O'neil, Billabong, Hurley, Excel, Hotline, Quicksilver, They all make great suits, but personal body type fitment makes one brand better than the other.

@OldboyII This is a cheaper modeled wetsuit, there is just a thin bit of neoprene behind the zipper. When opened more, the bare skin is exposed. The higher ends models have a "seamless flap" that covers the whole back. Some of the really nice ones also come up and around the neck. Kind of like the image on the left here. This flap really helps keep water leakage from your zipper to a minimum. But again, water skiing in the winter, you aren't submerged in the water for hours like you are surfing, so a little seepage isn't all that bad.

Front zip is easier to zip closed and open. Although some of the front zips are harder to put on for "larger folks", as the opening to put on is not as large as the rear zip. All the higher end wetsuits all seal well, you can tell this with the double glued construction, and an internal seamless flap behind the zipper. Also the materials used on the higher ends suits are much much more comfortable and free moving. Most wetsuits are made for surfers, who are in the water constantly for multiple hours so keep that in mind. They are meant to let a thin layer of water in between the suit and skin, your body temperature warms this water to keep you warm. Water skiing you aren't in the water that long...or shouldn't be, and when you stand all that water flushes out.

I got a custom cover from this company, and really like the product. My boat sits on a hoist 99% of its life and I installed a "custom tower". skiboatcovers.com/index.php?route=common/home http://s47.photobucket.com/user/joeprunc/media/29157C5B-9175-4E31-8557-D4EA3DA1CC89_zpsir94sqbr.jpg.html

Update, I did get a 18 pro build. First two times out were....disappointing. My skiing definitely went backwards and had a hard time running my opener. Had a bunch of obligations and wasn't able to get back on the ski for a while. Meanwhile started thinking of fin settings, and buyer remorse. I kept the fin settings at long and shallow, kept the boots on the ski, and decided to try one more time. Last night the ski finally put a smile on my face. I think I experienced some of the magic others have been talking about. Looking forward to more sets behind this ski.

Very interesting thread. I'm assuming you are RRF (so you 1-3-5) are your offside. I'm LFF, so I only have 2-4 to worry about ;). I had the same pestering issue last year, and early season. What everyone has said above really hits home with what I've figured it out this year, it was my onside pull. I pulled so hard and aggressively from the moment I came in contact with the rope till the middle of the boat wake. Then I was trying to start my edge change and preturn like someone would while skiing -35'. I was only skiing -15'. At -15', -22, and I think -28 you need to pull longer (at least through the second wake) and stay on the handle longer to keep your speed and outward projection. This will provide you with a better preturn and allow a more ideal speed through the rest of the turn.

(1) 2003-2006 Response LXI (2) MC 197 Friends 2006 SN 206 I cannot and will not ski behind.

When I went through my divorce, I got rid of a lot of things and bought new. It was a little bit of a "moving on/moving forward" thing for me emotionally. The new boat I bought was a significant upgrade, so not the same as your situation. But having something that didn't have baggage attached did make being on the water more enjoyable.