Golfguy

All of the above statistics are great information and made a case of some sort. Great research was done by all, and of course by individuals that are already skiers. I just wonder if the purpose of all of this wasn't to investigate whether the price of boat was discouraging new participation? I postulate that it is. So what can be done? Saying that a new person to the sport can buy a used boat is true, but in the long run if new boas aren't sold, then soon there will be far fewer used boat. Problem not solved. It would be interesting to see just how many of the people in this forum bought a new boat this or last year. 

Maybe the 2009 SN 196 was the epitome of the slalom tug?

Well, I used teak oil for the first few years on a boat I owned for 19 years. I idle to the end of the course then put my ski on while on the swim platform. when the platform was just oiled, I naturally would imagine the oil would end up on my ski. Come to think of it, I skied better in those days?? Actually i stoped using oil, and tha platform looked great as soon as it was wet. This boat was outside 100% of the time on a lift in my covered dock for 19 years. So my vote is to use no oil unless taking the boat to a MC reunion. .

True on the temperature. Keep in mind that the temp. requirement is based on at what temperature the weed is growing. The weed must be relatively active in order to uptake the chemical in Sonar.

Sonar requires contact with the weed and is absorbed in the plant. This is the mechanism for control. So appealing it when the weeds have not emerged will not be effective.

With all due respect, and I think the idea has merit, it does not address the dwindling supply problem. If no, never before existed boats are not produced, eventually the supply will be gone. Once the supply begins to diminish, the cost will approach the  prohibitive level.

Kevin, in the interview, stated several times that one of his missions was to remove the blockers to new, and renewing members. It would be interesting to discuss here what some of the blockers to becoming a water skier and participating in the association are? Here are some that come to mind:

• Safe Sport and the bureaucracy that belonging to the IOC brings that make it seem more like work to participate.
• The cost to play including boats.
• In golf we struggle with attracting players because it takes so long to play. Tournament skiing has the same blocker.
• Lack of exposure to suitable water conditions.
• Hasn't kept pace with the trends in technology. 
• New skiers, especially kids need to see it as fun. Skiing with peers.  

Maybe there is a need to provide Kevin with this very seasoned forum's ideas? 

How is this thinking wrong.: We hear that if you don't like the cost of a new boat just buy a used boat? If fewer people buy new boats yearly there will be a corresponding decrease in the availability of used boats? Right? Seems like a diminishing returns problem.

Just asking.

This is a timely post. It seems to me that it more exemplifies a problem with demand and not supply (boats) What can be done to make slalom skiing more popular with respect to tournaments and posting scores? How can we capitalize on modern technology to make running tournaments and drawing new skiers? Today a tournament skier must sacrifice an entire day and most often weekend to participate, most often leaving the family at home. As Einstein liked to say, "Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result." I don't have answers, but think we need to disassemble and rebuild the model. 

Thanks for listening.

2 hours ago, skierjp said:

Everyone gets caught up in the price of a NEW boat. I can remember when we thought the world was coming to an end when the price hit 50K. Remember when Goode came out with the first slalom ski that sold for $1000.00? We are now at $2,500. Ski gloves can cost $100! Somehow, someway boating enthusiasts seem to have no problem dropping 350k to 500k for wake boats. When I was at the Ford dealership having my truck serviced the going price for a loaded F250 diesel is 94k and there was a 5K bump on top of that. Back in the day there were skiers that couldn’t afford a brand new boat no different  than now. The buyers that have to have the first year model change or can afford to buy a new boat every year or two are the ones that create the domino effect on the used boat market to make it feasible for others. Trying to put everything in perspective, rent is ridiculous and who would have ever thought that   when buying a house you would bid up from the asking price not down. 
    I think a big reason for the lack of sales for three event boats stems from private lakes where one ski boat may be shared by 20 or  30 homeowners. Also ski clubs and ski schools where you pay a membership, way cheaper than owning a boat! Also what one of the other posters stated, try permitting a course or jump on a public lake. If you do happen to get a permit upkeep on the course is ridiculous. 
   Also, on public lakes you deal with jet skis and wave runners. Good luck trying to get a set in! Kind of crazy but I would like to see a graph of when the jet skis became popular and the downturn of skiing. 
   

I agree with some of what you are saying. The departure is that it is justifiable for accelerated pricing is not a factor in eliminating many from the sport. It is. Just because some can afford to pay this cost, there are many that this factor is a non starter. The new boats are unnecessarily  lager, and heavier. Because of this they need larger more expensive engines. We need to get back to basics before it is too late, or maybe that ship has sailed. 

Is this a real estate project, or pay to play concept. What is the site elevation? 

• Amounts charged
• Single
• Family
• Per pull

All of the above

Keep the dock above the water high enough so that the normal boat wave action doe not come in contact with the understructure. 

I think that the concept is the same as with track tires on a sports car. The rubber is soft so they will have improved grip. They wear fast. On the family cruisers one might chose a harder, less grippy tire for longer tire wear (milage). The same applies to ski handles IMO. I like my handle best when I have worn what look like finger grips in the bar. I will generally keep a handle for two years paying more attention to the line from the handle to the main rope. Just a thought and different than the problem that started this post. Grip it and rip it. 

Depending on the year your 190 was manufactured, it will go into limp mode and shut down cylinders to get you back to the dock or closes safe area. 

We have fall tournaments coming up that contestants now will have a difficult time entering. I am already seeing a diminished number of participants like almost 0. Aside from the spread sheet now provided, is there any hope that the problem will be resolved soon. Maybe an estimated back in service date?

Thank you.

I'm sure that I am not alone with this concern.

Keep yourself and your family safe. We are pulling for you.

Now we can measure speed and boat path using gps technology if only we could track the ski going around the buoy. We could post scores using tech. Maybe that would perk some interest in our sport.

I have had the impeller fail in the middle of a big lake. I also replace once a year. If the impeller implodes, the rubber pieces clog the cooling system and are very difficult to remove completely. Replace it as good insurance.

I bought it from SKIDIM. The boat had a little north of 500 hrs. Used on a private lake in AZ with turn islands, so some no stop spinning. I thought it was a bit early to need replacement. 

I replaced my 2016. It was way easier than I expected. Check out Youtube for instructions. All I recall for certain is that it was easier and fasted than I thought. Big improvement in handling.

Good luck.

Thank you, all set.

Has anyone heard if Masterline is offering the LOC rope discount as they did last year?

Islands for sure and 2300 + feet long. As stated above, if done correctly they are great. They are some maintenance, but then so is anything worth doing. Visit AZ for some examples. I have a tournament in May that you are welcome to participate or just observe.

@Than_Bogan True, and batteries are more out of their proper context than ICE. I will take a 122 year old technology any time. Just saying.https://dot.la/why-evs-are-catching-fire-after-hurricane-ian-2658412136.html

Electricity and water are poor partners. Just look at the flooding in Fl. recently.

Thank you all for the contributions. I will be pursuing these fix it avenues this weekend.

@Jody_Seal Is there a way to by pass the switch for testing purposes (wink, wink)