blakeyates

I may need to hook up with someone in Wichita too. I rep a Co that has a plant there with some of the Corp headquarters there as well. Sometimes I'm there for meetings but infrequent.

Horton, this is a very nice article on these youth phenoms. Regarding Sean Hunter; I know Matteo has done a good job helping Sean but everyone should know that Keith Albritton has spent many hours coaching Sean over the years prior to Matteo, during Matteo's time in FL, and also when Matteo is out of the country. Again, Sean is blessed to have the support of his parents and "two" good coaches.

Each boat manufacturer has their own guideline requirements but if you are considering getting in to the Promo Program, you should probably be ready to commit to a minimum of 5 or 6 tournaments. I don't know how many are in your area but I go to about 10 per year. My "goal" is to have "every-other-weekend" to go to my lake house with my family like you want to do. This 'kind of' works out but sometimes I have back-to-back weekends at tournaments. Luckily, two of them are within 20 miles of my lake house, so I just pull the boat from there. The biggest downside to this program is selling your current boat before you can order the next one, but ...... it comes with the pro's and con's.

I switched from conventional boot two years ago to an OB4. When I buy my next one, it will be the MOB; Mike's Overall Binding System. From what I gather, this design will release from loading the front, back, or sides where other releasables are not quite this advanced regarding loads from different angles. Based upon this, I feel the MOB is the best releasable boot choice.

This is my '16 Promo Boat that I just sold. It may have been my best yet.

I like the Horton post on charging skiers $10/round that goes to the promo reps to cover costs. I suppose that would have to be blessed by the Boat Mfg's and USAWS? I have been in the program for 6 years and it hasn't been easy to stay in. I am year-to-year with Pro's and Con's.

If you do Whitestone again in GA, now that I understand the event better, I'd love to compete in one of these and bring a boat unless you're only doing Carbon Pro's based on sponsorship. The only place I ever won any $$$ was at Whitestone where we handicapped last round (on the side). I was smiling like a jackass eating briers. A lot of fun.

mmosley899, will the Front MOB attach properly to the spine design on the New HO VTX? My concern is the very front under the MOB lever that you pull up to release the boot.

As a Regular Driver in GA, I hear all types of different phrases that mean "Go.". One of my favorites are those guys from TN that come to GA for a few tournaments each year. All they say is "Boat Driver.". I usually say "tighten up" or "I'm ready" and then when the line is tight I say quickly "Yep."

I would have noticed them 'cause "I'm a Duck Hunter, how do ya' do?"

I read a thread a few days ago, but now I can't find it. Someone said that when mounting an OB4, measuring same distance from tail as previous boot, you must mount if a bit closer to the rear of the ski vs the boot removed from the same ski. Would that be a 1/4" closer to the rear or less?

I pull some pretty good skiers in GA at 34 & 36 mph with my Promo Boat (2014 Ski 5.7) and it gets many compliments. I believe the feel behind the 5.7 may be that of giving the skier a minimal amount of "give-and-take" where the 6.0 is a harder pull with less "give-and-take," meaning the rope behind the 6.0 may be more like a cable if this analogy makes any sense. You won't regret having a 5.7 but if you can afford a 6.0, that too is a good choice, especially since it's a Nautique.

I drive both boats in tournaments around GA. Let me say that MC has made improvements but the tracking doesn't match that of the 200. Regarding buying decisions on both boats, you must look at the entire package....everything.

Keith's coaching is paying off for several young "up-and-coming" skiers.