markn

@lpskier I worked my ass off over several years and was coached by drivers who have pulled records to get my senior drivers rating. I gave it up a while ago, but simply wanting to "get in the seat" does not replace the skill set acquired over several years. You seem to think those who have contributed to the sport over numerous years can be easily replaced. A 3-event driver such as Jody Seal has a skill set very few drivers can match. They are a talented, select and sought after group. If you have not driven R tournaments or pulled a pro into 41, I suggest you don't dismiss those who have so easily.

Been in Florida 22 years. The sun can rapidly fade gel-coat. I am a fan of waterline covers rather than touchless "drop down". A neighbor down the street had a drop down...big storm (not even a hurricane) took it out and a few others around the lake have also been damaged by strong winds. Granted, our lake is 2500 acers so we can get some heavy winds. Save some money and potential damage and just buy a waterline cover.

Have to agree. Been using Syndicate equipment for about 3 years (Skis and ropes) and the customer service is second to none. Outstanding products, service and support. Thanks to all at H.O. Syndicate.

@dave2ball you and me both!! New series 80 tranny in old 196 and running great. Gotta love central Florida. Above average daily highs expected to continue.

@Jack_Haase The only other option I can offer is over in Ft. Lauderdale. Before Eden, when I visited my parents on Marco, I would go to Butterfly lake AKA Mcginnis Ski School. A bit of a drive, but a good ski site.

Best option is Eden Ski lake. Website is still up and phone number is 239-223-5333. Not certain if they are still open, but phone is taking messages.

Just saw a 2001 with 700 hours for $20K on SIA. Think the insurance payoff is too low. Conversely, for the cost of ZO conversion, where can you get a great slalom ZO tug with 0 hours on a new engine for less than $20K? I had a new engine installed in my 2004 196 in 2016. The engine now has 650 hours on it and runs great. Just this month I spent $4500 for a new series 80 tranny installed (along with a bunch of other maintenance items.) I think it is totally with it. The bubble butt or the TSC2 196 boats are fantastic slalom boats. And your bubble butt is a better barefoot boat too! Even if you get $15-18K for the Nautique, if you can find a newer boat, you will spend at least another $30-50K for a newer boat....to go 34 or 36 mph with ZO. I do not think you gain $30-50K worth of additional performance with the newer boats. Best wishes for a positive outcome. Sorry your boat was stolen in the first place.

Had the tranny on my 2004 196 rebuilt in 2016, now 600 hours later, it is beginning to slip under heavy load pulling up a skier. Shop noticed a seal leak, replaced seals and new fluid and actually opened the case while out and indicated all looked good. Slipped again although not every time when warmed up after new seals Shop now thinks it is either the pump or the pressure plates. In that repair parts are no longer available, am going to have a PCM 80 tranny installed. Is there any value to any of the parts of the old PCM 40 that may still be good or just throw away? Thanks.

@JeffSurdej so the point of SS is to reduce responsibility/liability of the organization and place it on individual members? Take a mandated class that potentially could increase one's own liability?? What's next? Will all members need proof of an umbrella insurance policy to protect themselves in the event of an issue, valid or not? Still say this whole thing was decided under the "ready, fire, aim" approach.

@JeffSurdej ...kind of like the vaccine being selectively mandated only for companies with over 100 employees. Glad the virus can count and no potential for SS infractions if only "a guest" skiing one or two days. This whole SS mandate gets worse and worse as more information is made available. More convinced than ever...I'm out.

Truly the greatest generation..brave, unselfish, patriotic

Agree with @The_MS. Took the time to explain my concerns about SS mandate on the survey....response? Crickets.

Lift weights 3 days per week all year (home weights). If weather precludes skiing in the winter, go for run.

I have broken 3 skis over the years. Your ski fracture appears to be under the front binder which really would not flex very much. The skis I have broken have failed between the binders. Sometimes in the lay up of the ski, there can be something that would compromise the structural integrity of the ski. I would contact KD and let them know. Pretty good chance they will help you out. Skis do break. Good luck and hope it did not cause a serious fall.

Know I have been around skiing for a long time but when I started, there were entrance gates you had to make and exit gates you had to make. They were part of the ski course....and I am still fine with those rules. What is next? Miss a turn ball on your opener and you get to keep going? Skiing is meant to be a challenge and performance is based on conformance to the rules. Changing the rules to make it easier is not sport. Do they shorten golf courses to make it easier to score? As the Pro golfers get better, they make the greens and the courses harder. Some are suggesting making it easier by not counting gates? Heck, let's quit reporting times and verifying boat paths. Let's all feel good about ourselves and forget the rules.

Lengthy article in the Wall Street Journal today regarding SafeSport entitled "SafeSport Seeks to Boost Its Name". Turns out $20 million of the center's $23 million budget now comes from the USOPC, a contribution MANDATED by Congress. The SafeSport CEO, Colon stated such an arrangement "allows her to more convincingly say that the center does not answer to U.S. Olympic officials". How convenient.

@Horton my apologies to your sir. I think I drifted dangerously close to breaking your rules. Won't happen again. Sorry.

Honestly, making the claim the pro skiers are in support of this mandate is kind of like asking Delta Airline employees (for fear of being fired) if they support the vaccine mandate. No data to prove it, but bet several conformed to keep their jobs. Further, the "young generation" is rather accustomed to conforming to loss of freedom in exchange for supposed security....kind of like a lot of the population.

Holy crap...Another non-member (based on profile) @vtmecheng saying good riddance to several individuals who have contributed SIGNIFICANTLY to the sport for many years. People like @Jody_Seal , @The_MS and several more. Having worked tournaments for several years as a senior driver, senior judge and skiing knowing the time, energy and effort given to support the sport, it is people like @vtmecheng who just piss me off and who's opinion on the subject holds no validity.

@MISkier Thanks very much for the clarification. Been a while since my senior judging days and was not aware sure-path also provided timing data.

Not so certain it was compliance to a vaccine mandate alone that made smallpox the only virus to be completely eradicated. It never mutated and killed (along with itself) most of the hosts.

Without official times, how can scores be "protected"?

@MDB1056 perhaps not relevant to you, but I stand by my position. As a non-member, you are not mandated to conform to a requirement. How can you be critical of those who are paid members and who object to the mandate. I am one of those who will not be renewing my membership. Once no longer a paying member, my position on any aspect of AWSAW becomes irrelevant.

@MDB1056 based on your profile, evidently you are not a current paid member of USAWS and not subject to the requirement. Kind of like people who do not pay taxes telling those that do to pay more. If you are a current USAWS member and your profile does not reflect that, then while I disagree with your stance, I respect your opinion.

@tru-jack assume Swiss will be open for skiers...call and make a reservation. (407-968-3481) Know several worlds participants will be practicing there, so check for sure. If you bring your ski and the winds cooperate, I would be happy to give you a pull. Full disclosure....we ski EARLY in the morning!