markn

Did you also drain the water intake strainer housing?

In watching your video, it appears you are skiing buoy to buoy due to not allowing the ski to finish the turn. Observe the angle of the ski when you put your outside hand back on the handle. As soon as the outside hand gets back on the handle, that is the end of the turn...no more angle and the ski direction is straight to the next buoy. Additional angle will allow you to be earlier to the next buoy, ski outbound and establish more angle coming out of the buoy. Let the ski establish more angle and ski to the handle. With your basic technique, you can run 34 mph -15 easily. Good luck. MWN

With respect to feeling a difference between a Nautique 196 and a 200 with ZO, I ski my 196 on C2, then the next day ski a 200 on C2 and feel no difference. Both great, consistent, similar feel. MWN

Purchased my T-1 "on the spot" at the Mapple Center back in August of last year. After skiing it into the fall and finding it the best ski I have had, the love affair continues this spring/summer. The ski is consistent, fast, quick, and will respond to input and style changes. If you are in trouble and need to force the ski....it will not let you down. I am amazed at some of the passes I made that I should not have. Also, the construction quality and durability are excellent. No issues what-so-ever. GREAT ski, customer service and support. MWN

My old 2004 196 Limited you retro-fitted years ago continues to work flawlessly. MWN

Mapple series T-1 or T-2, dependent upon your style. If unable to ski at the Mapple Training Center, you can get fin adjustment advice via e-mail. Fast, forgiving, well built and outstanding customer service and support. MWN

Sometimes lift weights before skiing. If not, just put on my Mapple T-1 and go. Never stretch/warm-up before a run either.

Very reasonable request! I will get a pic posted over the week-end. Thanks for your interest. MWN

For Sale: inboard style boat cradle specifically designed for the 1990-1995 Nautique hull, but fits all inboards.(used it for my 196) Steel construction (it is heavier than the aluminum style, but 2 guys can easily carry it)) and requires only about 6 inches of draft. Located in Clermont, Florida. $350.00. Mark W. Needham

Just took the Mapple T-1 out for a set. January 22.......Florida, gotta love it.

Jody Seal completed the ZO conversion on my 2004 196 Limited way back in 2009. It has worked flawlessly ever since. I was able to sell the old PP, so I think the total was around $3,600 and he even detailed the boat. Thanks Jody..you do good work! MWN

Just finished a 10 pass set at Swiss (Dec. 23). Only had to wear a top. Loving my Mapple T-1. Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. MWN

It has been a long journey, but my wife has become one excellent driver; not only in the course, but on the ends...perfect. I was a senior driver and she has pulled more 38's and 39's than I have!! She is my favorite ski partner. MWN

Lucky enough to have a wife willing to drive a 10 pass set for me Dec. 2nd at 6:45 A.M.!! Love her AND her driving! MWN

For lakes with large fluctuations in level, I used a Hydro-Hoist. They work extremely well for lakes that fluctuate from 3-10 vertical feet. The lift itself is affixed to a floating dock. When we did not have sufficient water in our boat house, we have used a Shore Station. Yes, one does have to move it in and out as water levels change, but they work well. MWN

Swiss Ski School is darn near wind proof. Even with a howling north wind (when the winter fronts go through) it is skiable...albeit strong head/tail, but still skiable. MWN

Finally have enough water in the lake to use the boat house. But for the moving the shore station over the past 6 years, I simply took 2 empty 30 gallon drum, filled them with water, tied one to each end of the bottom frame, then took a scuba tank and filled the drum from the bottom bung...displacing the water and the whole unit floats. You can find 15, 30 or 55 gallon (plastic) drums all over the place. Easy, cheap approach......to the shore. Still need to get it out of the water! MWN

Interesting question. Having started course skiing at age 39, I have always skied 34 mph. I am now 58. After all these years, 2 months ago, I decided to see what 36 MPH feels like. I am on a 66.5 Mapple T-1, set up by the Master himself. The ski works great for me at 34 MPH. I skied 36 MPH for one month. After the initial "holy s@*%*" this is fast, I was able to get used to the speed and actually felt the ski worked the same at 36 MPH as it did at 34 MPH. ( Buoy count was lower at 36 MPH by almost a pass due to the speed, not the ski...4 or 5 @ 38 vs. 3 or 4 @ 39) In summary, if the ski is set up correctly, and you are on the right ski of the correct size, should work at both speeds. I might add, 36 MPH sure seemed significantly more physically demanding than 34 MPH. I was toast after sets at 36!!... Should have started skiing when I was a 10!! MWN

Evidently I used the incorrect term for the type of anchor used. Just checked the Overtons catalog and they are called "Fluke-Style" anchor. Can't believe they list for $100.00. I would think once you see the picture, you could just borrow one! Good luck and sorry for the incorrect terminology! MWN

Did this very thing this week-end. We left our second course un-used for at least 6 years because the gators kept taking the buoys. To locate the main line, we used an 18 lb. mud anchor (the type that rotates a portion into the lake bed.) In three drags, we snagged the main line. Not certain what your lake bed composition is, but if sandy or silt, this type of anchor works very well. Good luck. MWN

Guess I have had the ski long enough to be out of the "honeymoon" period. And I would have to say the more I am on the ski, the more positive attributes I find. Have yet to find any short comings of the ski....now my skiing technique, that is a different issue. Conditions at my site were slightly challenging yesterday, but on one pass, I thought the crew had put it back on 35, but it was 38. Then ran 4 @39. No doubt, this ski is for real. MWN

As promised, below is a summary of the 68.5 Mapple T-1. Have been on the 66.5 T-1 for about 2 weeks now and the ski continues to amaze. In the past, I have always skied better on 68 inch skis, going all the way back to the Obrien Mapple, MPD and Radar. Tried a 67 Radar and went to the 68. Like any skier, always looking for an improvement or more buoys. To be certain I was on the right ski, I gave the 68.5 Mapple T-1 a go. I ski @ 34 mph and weigh 187 lb. and am 6' 2". My style, if you can call it a style, is more aggressive and less smooth. Again, the 66.5 T-1 is crazy fast, creates exceptional angle out of the buoy, generates and maintains exceptional space. So I figured the 68.5 could possibly take it even further. The first pass @28 off, on stock settings, I did feel a little more speed after the second wake, the ski was very easy to step on and ski. No adjustments were made, came back at 32 and then did 2 x 35 offs. Based on the experience, the ski did everything the 66.5 does, but from the boat, Andy thought the ski was too big. Yes, more speed after the second wake (due to larger surface area) but more ski to turn. Conclusion: With a few adjustments, the 68.5 would work great, but for a 185 lb. skier, the 66.5 seems to work better. It was great to have the opportunity to try all the skis; both sizes of the T-1 and the T-2 as well. Of course being in the boat when the GOAT skied was pretty darn cool too! MWN

I run over to Swiss when my lake is blown out as it is only 5 minutes away. They are very accommodating and all the amenities have been upgraded. Very positive experience every time I do a set there. You will enjoy it. MWN

Wanted to give a quick update on the T-1. Have skied it about 3-4 sets as of today. The initial perceptions in the original review still stand; phenomenal angle created at the buoy and space created and maintained before the next buoy is remarkable. Have skied it at Andy's site, Swiss Ski School and my site..all different conditions and drivers. One additional "discovery" was when I was in trouble. Andy indicated the T-1 will not "slide in the tail" or slide down course as much as my AM-33. I was in BIG trouble at the 3 ball @ 38 having too much speed. The ski made the turn and kept the front of the ski moving forward with the tail "following the path of the front" rather than the tail sliding. Still had space and ran the pass....no way I could have finished it on my AM-33. My wife, who usually has had driving duties of late, was able to observe me today. She could not believe the difference in my skiing. She indicated I was much more symmetrical and created much more space between buoys, particularly going to my 2,4 side (weak side pull being right foot forward.) My buddy driving told me I was much easier to drive at shorter lines. Really having a blast with this new ski

Scroll down and check out the recent review post of the T-1 and T-2. MWN