I haven't read the whole thread, so I hope I'm not repeating anything. My idea is that we replace the entire system with something more simple like the following. Try to look at this like a new person to the sport trying to understand it.
Call the rope sections Levles (the public would understand that a higher level would mean more difficulty). So the levels would be:
Level 1 (long line)
Level 2 (15 off)
Level 3 (22 off)
Level 4 (28 off)
Level 5 (32 off)
Level 6 (35 off)
Level 7 (38 off)
Level 8 (39.5 off)
Level 9 (41 off)
Level 10 (43 off)
So then the score would correspond to the level. For example, a score of Level 8.3, would be (3 buoys at 39.5 off).
It doesn't matter to the public that it is 39.5 off, but they understand that a Level 8 would be more difficult than a Level 7.
This could even help simplify all of scoring for all divisions. If a skier is under the max speed, then you could use whatever mph and Level 0 # of buoys. For example, a score for a mens 3 skier who got 2 boys at 30 mph would be: 30 mph Level 0.3.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Gerry