skihard

Thanks Kelvin!

Long head pounding process but after I talked to Trent F and Rossi - I ordered a 68" ski. My weight fluctuates right around or just under 200 pounds. I will have my new 2016 near the end of Sept if all goes well with production at Radar. Currently riding a borrowed new 2015 D3 H2 67" that was hard work getting dialed in. Last night I had my best night on the water with it as far as success and feeling right go. Ironically the guy I borrowed the ski from is selling it on SIA if anyone is looking for a 2015 D3 H2 (SIA33829) I bought a used 68" 2014 Lithium Vapor to get me through until the new one arrives. This ski should be here tomorrow. Can whip bindings off the D3, mount them on the Vapor, set fin to preferable settings and get back into my groove if all goes well? :) Simple point of original thread was never will I sell a ski until I have a replacement ski and the replacement is dialed in!

@Chef23 I'm coming off a 68" 2015 Lithium Vapor. I'm taking the advice of someone who is considered to be a great coach in this game. My skiing improved immensely just going from my old ski onto the Radar ski. I started with a Graphite Vapor before trying the Lithium Vapor and once I got them dialed in for myself I started getting better results. I borrowed the exact ski I sold prior to switching to Radar as I don't have a ski currently and feel so lost. I'm short line skier by any means compared to the skilled skiers on this site. But in saying that I've also improved a ton and reached PB after PB on the Radar ski. Right now I feel like I'm at the start of summer 2014 and very frustrated. Hence the "NEVER AGAIN" thread title. My neighbor is going to let me try his new D3 H2 that he isn't liking very much right now either compared to his Quest. He went back to his old ski. All I can do is try and do my best not to get down. But it sucks having come off my best weekend ever and feeling like I went a year and a half backwards!

@Chef23 I ordered one but don't have it yet. What's the thought you speak of?

@Bill22 It was a nice new Radar Lithium Vapor! Yes the blue and yellow one. I miss it so much already. @JGray - for me it's almost always summer down here so agreed I have time to get that goal. I was speaking in terms of the general populations summer season.

@jhughes - 28 and a goal of 32 by the end of summer. FWIW - that goal went away with the FedEx van! :( Oh well fortunately for me I ski year round so might not get it by the end of summer but it will come. @JGray - that is not what he said however............................ :)

68" Just dropping an inch. But the difference in what I was riding and what I am riding currently is night and day. The two skis react and ride like night and day against each other. As stated I will get this one working but just so shocked in the difference in both.

I made the single biggest mistake in my skiing career this past weekend. After purchasing a new ski early this year on the advice from a pro and someone who I respect and trust 100%. I improved to the point of where I went out and ski'd a PB with him last weekend. Everything was going great, a simple fin adjustment took me to that PB, and then on the dock he says to me "Damn man you're skiing great I think we need to get you on a 67 for your next ski" So in my idiodic state I get to thinking - it might take a while to sell this ski so I better list it before I'm stuck with two skis and an unhappy wife wondering why so much money is sitting on a rack beside our boat just collecting dust. I list it on SIA for what I paid for it thinking there's no way. BANG SOLD in 5 1/2 hours and shipped out the next morning to another state far away! I was so happy it was crazy! However the happiness has gone to sh*t based on the fact that a) the new replacement ski in my size is a couple weeks away on order from where I buy my skis (I'm faithful customer) b) I sold my old skis earlier in the spring, leaving me with nothing to ski on. Step up a buddy who lends me a different top quality ski. The problem is - complete night and day from my other ski that I just shipped out earlier this morning. On the water last night my PB was just a pillow and a dream away as I struggled just to run a pass at 22 off. Came off the water and called my friend/coach/pro to discuss my disappointment in myself. SO good of him to help bring me back to reality and try to help ease my pain. Of course I will go out and try/use the loaner again and again until my next ski gets to my shop of choice but take a word of advice from this idiot - NEVER SELL YOUR AWESOME SKI UNTIL THE NEWER MORE AWESOMER SKI SHOWS UP!!!!!!!! Happy buoy chasing friends!!! :)

She is a sweet ride! :)

Congrats Freddie!

His body positioning if improved will help him a ton. Try to work on getting him standing taller with his hips up over his feet. If he can stay aligned this will help him to not bend so much at the waist when he is hitting the wakes. My daughter is currently going through the exact struggle. She may be a bit better than your son however their issues are the same. With the better alignment there will be less bending at the waist which will mean less out the front crashes, better handle control, and of course being able to maintain better angle across the wakes. Like many above have said don't overwhelm him with too much info because it gets them lost. Practice good stack on shore or in back of boat and never forget - it's all about fun for them. If they like it they will work harder to get better! Good luck!

Ordered mine a while back.

@Horton thanks so much for clarifying at the beginning that skiing isn't dying but tournament skiing is. Said it before under different "Discussion" topics - the current format for tournament skiing isn't working and until they change it the numbers will continue to dwindle until tournament skiing is dead in the water. It's the format that's killing it in my mind. Needs to be handicapped in some way shape or form so that any individual going to a tournament will be skiing and competing against the same level of skier. I'm very new to this at my age vs someone who has been chasing buoys for years and is a seasoned skier. As much as I like it and have improved over my 1 1/2 years of chasing those damned orange buoys please tell me how I'm expected to even remotely challenge a veteran in my bracket? I'm 49 years and have yet to run a pass at 32 off. Lots of days 28 isn't even in the picture and challenging at best but I can get there. I have skied in 3 tournaments in my 1 1/2 years and more so only to be a part of the action, donate my money to the AWSA, and meet some new and great people. Please note 2 were hosted at our lakes and my other one about 20 mins away. There is no way on earth that I would even consider travelling an hour out of the day each way or longer to go and get 3 pulls for entry fee and go home when I know I'm beat before I even go off the dock. Yes I also understand the rankings and ratings but I personally only see that as being your challenge for Regionals and Nationals. And your score from any "handicapped rated' tournament should be able to count against those rankings. I believe a handicapping system for youth and adult skiers being the draw that would see tournament skiing increase it's numbers. I can only speak for slalom as it's all I do but a ramp is in my close future too! If I know I can go to a site and there will be people there skiing in my handicapped bracket against me then it's different than me going off the dock against some dude who is going to run into 38 before he even thinks he has any trouble ahead of him. The tournaments need to be brought back to Grass Roots or Starter level if you will to invite EVERYONE out to try it. Again i will say your ranked scores can still go against ranked systems. I have created a handicapped spread sheet that I want to play with and see if it can't create a bit more interest in making things a bit more fun and in some ways create a challenging atmosphere for people who would ski against each other based on ability vs age and bracket. I was challenged by someone to see if I could do something and create a bit of a ski league if you will between neighboring communities. Might be late in the year so will see if a fall run off can work or not? It may have to wait until next spring? I guess I will pitch it and see what happens? I can only fall down on my face but some of what I have read previously tells me I think I might be on to something here? I will follow up later. And another thing - this sport does have THE BEST PROFESSIONALS IN ANY SPORT hands down!!!

I had to tape my ankle and taped it the same way we taped them when I played volleyball so the ankle wouldn't role over. It was hard to get it into the binding but sure was easy on my mental state knowing it wasn't going to role in another crash. Mine wasn't quite as pretty but it worked.

Site looks sweet! You own the lake or lease it? Wished it was there when I lived there.

Had mine delivered from Utah to South Texas and requested the seller box up the cover and remove mirror. Boat arrived at my house 3 days later dusty and dirty from travel but a water hose, scrub brush, and rags had it looking like new again and no damage from an incorrectly placed cover. As for worrying about rain.........................it's a boat it's supposed to be wet. \pull the plug and go.

@6balls - I find the wake to be flatter and softer than my old 196. I have had a few guys ski behind it here and the first comments out of their mouths either at the end of the lake or when they climb back in the boat has something to do with the wake and its always good. I know many good skiers will say that there are subtle differences and they support the boat they are flogging, promoing, or selling. I'm a hack who's trying his best to get to 32 off. It's just my take that it's better - let the arguments begin I guess?

I loved our 196 compared to our previous boats. Was sad to see it go but it went to good people! Great boat you'll love it!

I skied behind mine tonight for the first time since it was delivered. I can't say one bad thing about it. Well maybe the 6.0 liter motor that scared my wife with the crazy power. I sold my 196LE and was sold on the fact that it had one of the sweetest wakes I ever skied. But dang it - it just got roasted. Sweet sweet boats and a nice ride. I'm now a very proud owner of one! Thanks @Horton for giving me a solid answer when I questioned you about it! :)

@igkya my previous ski's were a 2012 A2 then a 2013 A3.

67 Lithium Vapor. I ride a 68 and love it. It has taken me to line lengths I haven't reached before. Yes I know it's not all the ski doing it but I do ride it way better than my 2 previous skis.

Washed and cleaned up! Let's go put it in it's new home! :)

Life on the lake before the sun sets Life on the lake loving the sun set

Bought my daughter a Radar Lyric this spring and she really likes it even though she seems to darned busy to get out on it very much with me. She it was easier out of the water and she feels better on top of it. Hope that helps???

Waited what seemed like an eternity but my new to me tug arrived finally today. Put it all together as it hasn't been run since last winter. All the necessary plugs, turned battery on, added some fuel, install drain plug and then BANG torrential downpour that added at least an inch maybe two of water to our lakes and ditches. Hence maiden voyage will be tomorrow. It will be a good day! :)