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Get the Katana

@scotchipman I have a pair of the v-werks Katana 191 that are absolutely badass! Love em.

So is the HO TX going to get a lot of the Theory customers? Does the Katana compete more against the HO Freeride?

The surf boats rely on stern to bow angle to get a wave with the right push. Adding weight in the th boat makes the wave bigger, but you need to maintain the proper angle--that's why you add to both the front and the back. Thus nearly any boat that is surfing is going to have a high bow attitude. The Volvo forward drive is an interesting idea, but it negates some of the stern drive advantages like getting the prop way up away from super shallow shoals. It will need a special trailer like an inboard. But the steering and holeshot on those duoprop or bravo 3 boats is AWESOME.

@DanE sorry that was a dumb response by me. I'm not sure what you mean by center-drive. If you mean inboard, there are laws about protection from the prop for surfing. It's still a V drive with the engine in the back like a standard wake boat, vs a direct drive like a course ski boat with the engine in the middle of the boat. It's an interesting entry to the market--I see it also biting into the PWC market--some people have almost 30k into two PWC might look at something like this--still relatively easy to store and tow. But it can surf and wakeboard well.

Anyone had a chance to ski the Katana? The old Theory and P6 were basically big course shapes with wider rails. The new Katana seems much more open-water oriented. Thoughts?

Although it's interesting that the stern drive makers are figuring out how to make a wake surf boat. And the WT1 is a V drive.

It's a wake boat.

@Horton no sarcasm! I think Bryant is the best stern drive company out there. I love the idea behind the WT1. I trailer a Regal I/o boat so I need something similar, but with surf and ski options.

John I have some concerns about the WT1. Seems to be no communal party spot in the boat. Thoughts?

Looks like the Theory and P6 are gone--new free-ski shapes replace the scaled-up course shapes.

Bryant is a quality boat maker. This think looks quite different, but it's a great effort at trying something new. The I/O boats have lost a lot of money to the surf market--and they need to respond.

Patagonia stretch boardshorts here too. Some of the stretch shorts show a bit too much relief when wet...

Definitely 2008. I have the 2009--same ski with NGT. (New Graphics Technology) Awesome deal.

@skibrain bouys would have to move at same speed as water.

I'm amazed how many people will use PEDs for personal pride in local comps. I have competed and coached for many years. Seen issues with high school kids since 1989. Older guys too. Alpine, soccer, cycling, track & field are my first hand experiences with PEDs.

full wood core means springy flex. 63" long. Really wide under the boots. Flat bottom. Clearly made for pop off the wake. Probably easier to do inverted tricks. Probably hard NOT to jump the wakes.

Just saw the Radar Delirium. Related to the Satori, but a bit wider and shorter. Almost looks like a directional wakeboard for skiers. I realize that many slalom dudes cringe at the thought of something like this, but this sort of stuff is important for the future of skiing and the kids--at least to my kids.

@oldjeep I feel your pain. I ski behind a 19 foot stern drive too! And yes, I have skied on Minnetonka. I have learned to stay on edge pretty hard when crossing the wakes, especially with 5 people in the boat. This year I might get a Satori. Fun and easy. You can ski some serious wind and chop. I still like the glass on a better ski in the AM and evening, but... To be honest, some of the best wakes I have skied was an Alumacraft fish and ski with a 115 outboard. Light boat is your friend. Big comfy boat? Heavy. Good luck. Tell me what you find, because I want one.

I can attest to unique flex in "identical" flex. I was an alpine racer in a previous life, and all of the pairs in the race room stock were flex matched. Then you would try several matched pairs to get the exact feel you wanted. Temp also varied the flex. We also skied different edges based on the course. I'm rambling now...

What was the difference between the Strada, Vice C, and Vice? And the Senate C and Senate, for that matter? Same questions, new shape and colors and names. Same philosophy.

I'm pretty sure you can price them at Perfski. It is fun to see some wider skis built with high-end materials. I'd like some first hand experience with wake crossings and speeds.

Saw the lower level HO and Radar skis. Radar: Noticed the Senate gets the basic Vapor shape and alloy/graphite designation. Didn't look like the Theory or P6 had changed aside from graphics. Satori continues wood theme but drops the illustrations. HO: Renamed a few skis; is the T the old Triumph? Is the Marcus Brown free ride just different colors? Most significant, the super light version of a wide ski, the TX. I'd like to ski that, but the cost is not in my range.

74 acres!? I'm in Minnesota, so we have many lakes to choose from, but that is too small for a shared public lake. Most lakes here that size have 15 hp limits. Or no gas engines.

Riva boats are some of the most beautiful boats ever made. The cost on them is astonishing. A dude has one on a lake near us in Minnesota. Plan on 400-700k for a 60s model. No typo.