markn

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Have never tried hard-shells, so hope users can enlighten me. Snow ski bindings allow for lateral release at the toe. This avoids twisting knee injuries or spiral fractures. Obviously, rubber binders offer no lateral release, but do these Reflex bindings rotate at the heel allowing for heel lateral release or just upward?

Have the benefit of skiing behind the latest 2022 Ski Nautique, 6.2 liter boat at Swiss (@34 mph). At home, I still ski behind my old 2004 196. It has newer engine with 650 hours and new series 80 transmission along with single puck ZO rev S. I run A2 on the 2022 and to duplicate the pull on my 196, run A2+. (the 6.2 engine does feel firmer than the 5.7 in my 196 hence the A2+) Run the same scores, the pull feels identical and the wake from 28 to 38 feels no different. What would be gained from spending $100K on a new boat? +2 for @bananaron and @Sethro !

Have the benefit of skiing behind the latest 2022 Ski Nautique, 6.2 liter boat at Swiss (@34 mph). At home, I still ski behind my old 2004 196. It has newer engine with 650 hours and new series 80 transmission along with single puck ZO rev S. I run A2 on the 2022 and to duplicate the pull on my 196, run A2+. (the 6.2 engine does feel firmer than the 5.7 in my 196 hence the A2+) Run the same scores, the pull feels identical and the wake from 28 to 38 feels no different. What would be gained from spending $100K on a new boat? +2 for @bananaron and @Sethro !

40 lb. bags of softener salt...even has a handy carrying handle...and cheap.

40 lb. bags of softener salt...even has a handy carrying handle...and cheap.

Keep this 1996 Exploder around to pull out the Nautique for weather issues....like IAN. Love all your new rigs, but just can't let it go

Just replaced 14 buoys on one course...not gator gars....REAL gators. That was a fun swim.

No better source for all things Nautique in central Florida than Xpropman.

@BraceMaker how true, except maybe a dedicated Porsche race car....ask me how I know!!!

Heck, boats are now MORE expensive than BMWs and Porsches!!!!

Having successfully purchased a Porsche sight-unseen and out of state I would apply the same approach with a boat if unable to physically see the boat. ALWAYS do a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a qualified shop. Pay the cost of inspection to a shop that specializes in direct drive boats. Ask to see maintenance records. (I have all major records for my 196 all the way back to 2005) Inspection from an independent shop might cost $250-300. Money well spent.Conversely, I was selling an older Porsche and a guy, asking all the "newby" questions for that model, made me an offer sight unseen and undriven. I told him I would not sell the car to him unless he viewed the car in person. Integrity of the seller is also important.Good luck in your search.

@rbuss4 Have to completely disagree with your evaluation of wakes and skiability of a 1996 Ski Nautique. We owned a 1995 Signature for 10 years. I skied that boat from 22 off and ran my first 39 off behind that boat. If I showed up at the dock today and saw an old 1996 and it had ZO (know it would have to be repowered), I would ski it all day long and then go barefooting behind it. Heck, it has a better barefoot wake than my 196! These are great boats.

Contact @savaiusini at HO. He will get you set up promptly.

HO Omega is 66.5. I ski at 34 mph and weigh 185 lbs.

@vtmecheng did you repower your 2004 nautique with a 5.3 or did you mean 5.7?

Rode a Pro 2 years ago and not certain if the ski has changed, but the settings I used on my 67 were: Boot: 291/2 Length: 6.835 Depth: 2.475 and DFT: .76 with wing at 7 degrees.

38 off skier at 34 mph. Good luck.

Ashamed to report I have caused the rope to go around the neck of 3 different drivers over the years...one of whom was my wife. Needless to say, we now ALWAYS use a shock tube. Again, my apologies to those drivers!

We owned a 1995 Nautique Signature from new for 9 years. Obviously, a great slalom boat even today. For footing, I thought it was fine. We did wake crossings and you could even use a 5 foot handle and step off the platform for close up footing. In 9 years of ownership, we had zero maintenance issues. Only sold it to buy a new 196.

Congrats to Will and JT. Great skiing by Team Syndicate!

Thanks to my wife of 40 years and driver for 35 years, this morning ran 2 x 28, 2 x 32, 2 x 35 and 38 off @ 34 mph..but was too rough to barefoot dang it! Those of us who have continued to ski and stay in shape are truly blessed and are still reaping the rewards or our efforts to keep it up! Congrats to all of you!!

We're not "old". We have extensive experience!

@MDB1056 we must be in the minority, but at 66, I too am sticking with 34 mph. Last week, just for fun tried 36 mph....ran 28 and 32 off, but THAT felt fast!!

PM me with address. I wear out my left and all my rights are in good shape just sitting in a box. Tail 41's and Claws Kevlar. Happy to donate to a fellow skier.

No preference of manufacturer, but I would suggest a galvanized vs. painted. Particularly if left outside. The painted will rust far more quickly.