Wayne

@MISkier I kind of saw this coming. I’m sure what I’ve seen on my lake isn’t isolated incidents. Two or 3 large gatherings at houses and a handful of pontoons with large groups. I’m sure they are not all from the same household. I could see a club being able to have just a driver in the boat and keep skiers in the water, on the swim platform or separation at the starting dock and be within the social distancing guidelines. I’m guessing the concern for emergency situations and exposing first responders was part of the motivation but then why allow kayaking, canoeing and sailing? I’m sure the petition I saw (but did not sign) to open boat storage places to allow people to access to their boats didn’t help the situation. I feel like those that could operate under the restrictions unfortunately are being lumped in with the idiots that couldn’t. I guess it’s only three weeks and it got cold again but it would have been nice to get some early season skiing in this year.

Well after Michigan EO 2020-42 and the updated FAQs as of 4/10, motorized boat activities are not included under outdoor activities until the end of April. Extracted from the link. “ Physical outdoor activity like kayaking, canoeing, and sailing is permitted under the order, but using a motorboat, a jet ski, or other similar watercraft is not. Any outdoor activity permitted under the order, including boating, must be done in a manner consistent with social distancing, and individuals should use only their own equipment to prevent the transmission of the virus through the touching of shared surfaces”. https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98455-525278--,00.html

@MISkier agreed the Michigan EO doesn’t work for everyone. My family stays pretty isolated normally since my son has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (it’s in the ALS family). We take precautions every flu season, this is just extending the period we practice our flu season regiment. Otherwise I’d be doing #6 from the list @Wish provided. Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done it either. Lol.

@MISkier looks like the MSP was confused as DNR made a correction and they will update the Coronavirus FAQ page for Michigan. Boating (and skiing I assume) is allowed as long as you follow the social distance guidelines. Works for me, we never have any guest out with us anyway. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/04/03/boating-banned-under-michigan-stay-place-order/2939322001/

Same thing happened to our old boat rushing to beat an approaching storm. Disassemble it completely as was stated. We made a wood vice block with a round profile to clamp on the outside of the tube and used a copper pipe on the inside to help with bending. Go extremely slow! Only straighten a little at a time and go progressively. I’m not sure if your frame is stainless or aluminum. Ours was aluminum so you could see if a stress crack was about to form. Your starting point isn’t nearly as bad as ours was.

It would be interesting to know the sales numbers for the Malibu TXI and VTX. While there is a niche sport that drives the continued production of competitive ski boats, when will manufacturers say “you know what, we aren’t making money these so we’re done. If you want to ski here is a v-drive”.

This was disheartening to read last night but it is exactly the reason people need to take this seriously. This article was passed on to me by some one in TN who has a child with spinal muscular atrophy (ALS neuromuscular type of disorder). She was told if her kid needed intervention it’s probably not going to be a priority. There are links in the article to protocols in NY and a few other places. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/opinion/coronavirus-ventilators-triage-disability.html

@aupatking we’re scheduled for a conference and parks at Disney World in June. I’m starting to wonder if it will happen. As far as notifications, here is what the Disney App does now when you launch it.

Not sure how much poking around on this site you have done but it’s never recommended to place bindings based on the adjustment holes, you always use a tape measure to set front boot placement. With that said, sensitivity to binding placement can be ski, skier or binding dependent. I believe there was a discussion on here when the microjust came out talking about binding movement increments. Up to that point I think the smallest steps were 1/8” but it was found 1/16 or less could be beneficial and was something the microjust brought to the table. Some of my older skis, the binding placement made a huge difference and I was constantly moving them forward or backward one hole. This pre-dated the microjust, I’m sure if it was around then I would have used one on that ski. On my last two skis, while binding placement still matters, it seems less sensitive.

It’s why I run a sequence plate. Adjustment range is bigger and you get finer steps.

Looks like the beginnings of a nice bench seat to me.

@CPC_1 what is your budget? I think the community here could really give viable options based on that. Plus we all like spending other people’s money ?

I have a mens 2/3 millimeter XL sized full back zip O’Neill that our neighbor borrows in the early season. She’s 5’11’ and it fits her fairly well. Me being 6’5 and pushing 240 it’s too small but it fit me well when I was in the 190 to 210 range in my youth. If you can try some on, don’t be afraid to try some men’s suits. Our neighbor says she often finds some of the men’s watersports gear fits her better than the women’s stuff as the sizes have a bit more length to them. I’d say focus on fit/feel and not worry about brand, size and men’s or women’s size if you can try a few on.

My company has done EV conversions for OEM demo vehicles. Prices range wildly depending on the level of integration but the best advice I can give you is make the powertrain work before you buy a boat to put it in. The biggest hurtle will actually be the battery pack, charging and the Battery Management System. You can buy an inverter for a 3-phase permanent magnet motor from SemiKron and characterize it to a motor pulled out of a wrecked EV or use a take out electric axle from a car (Tesla model 3 axles run around $5k). Or buy an aftermarket inverter/motor from a Chinese company. Horton is very correct this will be a money pit. Material costs for EV conversions, even using donor vehicle parts will go over $20k very quick. Add in the extra bits and a rapid prototype control unit to manage everything and $50k will be in the rear view mirror and $100k soon approaching.

@slow in Michigan operation where your wake causes injury or damage is considered negligent operation and a misdemeanor (jail time and fine depending on severity). Plus the injured party can file a civil suit.

@S1Pitts and @slow there are laws holding people accountable for their wake and our water patrol will enforce/ticket for reckless operation behaviors. Damage is subject to the shore line construction and the lake bottom contour. Safety is a function of operator and possibly the proximity of no-wake boundaries. I used to jet ski in the Ohio River and the launches had 100 yard no wake perimeters but it did nothing to help with the waves a 45 foot cruiser generates or even a cargo barge. I guess what I’m saying is people need to be mindful of the wakes their boats generate and people need to be aware of their surroundings and the conditions. There already are regulations here in Michigan for the scenarios the both of you described. I cannot speak for where you are, nor would I endorse something that doesn’t fit your specific situation. Here it just doesn’t fit. We ski in the early morning and typically only have people fishing as spectators. Occasionally we have to run close to someone due to the lake depth contour. We always swing back at idle speed and apologize. The people fishing often know the lake depth better than we do, realize why we ran close and I have yet to get an aggressive response when we go back to talk to them. It comes down to respecting each other’s space and education on knowing the right place for certain activities. Target the specific individuals that are the problem and don’t blanket everyone with a generic law. I for sure would not want to see a lake have boating removed based on the stupidity of a few individuals. For many lakes it would kill property value and kill local businesses. Does that seem logical?

@klindy interesting feedback. I brought up AWSA and USA WSWS at the meeting. I’m sure very few there had ever heard of either. There is a voluntary membership HOA for the chain of 9 lakes I live on. So far it’s been primarily focused on water quality and invasive plants or wild life. There is not much membership so they don’t do much beyond a news letter to report information the public could get on their own anyway. With this latest incident I’m going to try some advocacy for USA WSWS. Annual fees are lower than the voluntary HOA and probably more beneficial. Last year I talked to the local marina about adding some watersports events in combination with the 4th of July fireworks event they host. Even if it’s just fun runs through a slalom course I think it could drive interest. We had even talked about letting jet skiers do timed runs. They have a section of the lake blocked off to maintain a safe distance from fireworks barges, water enforcement and safety people are already on site so it would be pretty easy logistically. I actually didn’t know about the UM, MSU and WMU clubs, I’ll have to seek them out.

@klindy your reading of the Dexter Township Board notes is correct. Essentially it started with Big Silver Lake residing in Dexter Towship regarding the reduction of no-wake hours. Some residents on Silver lake took the opportunity to add in the controversy of "deep draft wake boats" to the agenda. The Board wanted to gather public opinion so they included Little Portage Lake (also in Dexter Township) and Portage Lake which is partially in Dexter Township. At the opening of the meeting the board made it clear they do not control the laws governing lakes in their township. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) makes the laws which are locally enforced by Washtenaw Sheriff water patrol. The board can however make requests to the DNR. A DNR representative was there to listen, Patty Smith from Silver Spray Sports in Fenton spoke (and provided great factual information) as did many residents from Big Silver, Portage, Little Portage and Baseline lakes. The meeting was well attended (approximately 50-60 people, which is unusual) and was probably 90% residents from the Portage lakes. The main talking points were focused on the "deep draft wake boats". I went as I was fearful the watersports enthusiasts would be outnumbered. Surprisingly I would say about 80% of the people who spoke did not want any changes to laws/regulations restricting boat type/use and did not see any issues related to safety, erosion or damage from wake surfing or wake boarding activities. If our "unlimited all sports" status were to be lost it would effect property values. A local realtor was present to support this fact with evidence. Those that spoke out against "deep draft wake boats" could not produce or cite actual property damage (to boats or docks) or shoreline erosion attributed to these boats. It was mostly directed at perceived safety risks and perceived potential for damage. One thing that was agreed to by both sides of this issues was the amount of traffic on Portage lake and the lakes connected to it via the Huron River. Portage has a full service marina with about 80 rental slips (Klaves marina) and the Portage Yacht Club has 150-200 rental slips. Additionally some home owners "rent" slips on their waterfront. After the meeting the board felt that the issues are really driven by unknowledgeable boaters (or disrespectful ones) and some over crowding. I will say most of the offending boats I have observed come from the Portage Yacht Club. Residents are respectful. As you have stated this could fester if not watched. Big Silver lake is a private access lake controlled by a HOA and is 200-300 acres in size. There are 2 slalom skiers and 4 wakeboard/surfers on the lake. One wake boarder was definitely singled out by the people that raised this issue, I observed about 4 people making negative comments towards him while he was speaking indicating he was the focus of this issue. Portage (600 acres) is connected to 8 other lakes via the Huron River and has a small public access site with 25 parking spots for trailered boats. Once full the gate closes except if you are a resident of the lake and need access. We have 20 or so active surfers, about 10 wake boarders and about 6 active slalom skiers (there used to be a lot more slalom skiers). I would be curious if residents would join AWSA or USAWSWS if their presence was seen here. Thank you very much for the interest and support. I could probably summarize meeting information a bit better if needed. The above is a bit of a rant but the majority of local residents are very much against changes and we need a good avenue to make sure people are aware when this comes up. I didn't know this was going on until the 18th with the meeting on the 21st.

@Horton ok now I have to play the game and say “please tell the back story”. ?

Is there a back story for Rob the Skeleton?

The photography company probably had the jump painted white so it would look more like a sailboat and not obstruct the background. ? Or there is an ongoing HOA battle that forced it to “blend in more with the surrounding backdrop”. In a month there will be a thread about the death of another ski lake because someone hit a jump that “blended in too much”.

Not mine but “give me the sauce boss”. For the Mel Brooks fan “Ludicrous speed, GO”!

I transitioned from Animals (the older lace up style) to Radar Vectors (on my 3rd set now). There was a little learning curve for tightening the laces but once I figured that out the switch was easy. Basically tighten the lower lace as much as you want, but only tighten the upper lace so it still has some stretch so you release. If you do go with a Radar binding I highly recommend getting a Radar Sequence plate. It has more adjustment than the individual plates and just makes binding adjustments so much easier.