MISkier

This has some information on the proposed (and eventually retracted) legislation that @DW is mentioning.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2019/03/25/michigan-legislators-proposed-boating-curfew-law-draws-criticism-he-clarifies/

Terrible bill.  Would have been catastrophic to water skiing in Michigan and would have affected many other water activities in all kinds of vessels that currently enjoy more access than proposed.

I’m still not writing any letters that give up one iota of available waterway for ski boats and water skiing activities.  I’ll object to any legislation in our State that introduces or changes such regulations in any detrimental manner.

I already didn’t like the effects of Public Act 451 of 1994 on slalom course permits and was disappointed that previous collaboration (or lack thereof) between legislators and the water ski association allowed it to happen.  I’m not interested in giving anything else away.

I do fully support the 200 foot limit for wake boats and surf boats, though, if they want to draft it accordingly.  It could even be further for additional safety and reduced damage.

I've already advised our State Water Ski Association of this issue to ensure our designated legislative contact is looped into any pending legislation and that we contact the appropriate lobbyist for assistance.  And, I have made my opinion on the matter clear that no ground (water) should be yielded, with respect to current ski boat setbacks/clearances.

My understanding is that they replaced (or augmented) the usual foam core of the ski with carbon fiber supports between the top and bottom layer of the ski.  It's kind of like interior walls of the rooms of a house holding up the load in the middle of the house from the foundation to the roof.  

The advantage is supposed to be quicker rebound of the ski after flexing and additional rigidity/stiffness in strategic locations on the ski.

Any letter I would write to a legislator would have an absolute distinction between any surf boat regulations and any ski boat regulations.  I'm not surrendering, or suggesting changes to, any current ski boat setbacks/clearances.

@Horton, I didn’t see anything at that link other than contact names.

I sent you a PM with some details.

I don’t like the 200’ part of that note.  In Michigan, the current allowable distance is 100’ from docks, rafts, marked areas (swimming), other boats, and developed shorelines.  It is 75’ from undeveloped shorelines.  

I don’t want to give anything away we already have.  It’s hard enough to get calm water now and there is less available if you can’t hug a shoreline somewhat.

Giving a little bit here and there (starting in 1994) got us to where we are with no wake times (ridiculous) and course permits (virtually impossible).

Change that 200’ back to what is already allowed before you send that note.

Some folks have posted links comparing the boat in question, which is a Sunsetter LXi, to the Response LXi.   It is not an apples to apples comparison - those are vastly different boats and hulls.  That said, the boat in question is a nice boat and should ski very well, but the price does seem high.

I’m not sure how to count this one, but I hit the tip of my ski with the top of my head at the start of an OTF when the ski stopped under me at the turn.  But, I am fairly certain I had not released yet when this happened, so there may not have been any continued trajectory involved.  Rubber bindings.

Didn't the Carbon Pro have some sort of knurled texture on the regular fiberglass?  I'd probably try that, if some method of applying it in a gelcoat spray-on would be available.  You could always put a snap-in carpet or decadence-type of covering later, if you wanted.

Regular carpet needs to be dried or you deal with mold and odors.  A flooring option that eliminates or minimizes that, while retaining safe footing when wet, would be something to consider.

I would avoid another glue-in carpet, if possible.  I'm not sold on SeaDek either.  Still seems to need more maintenance to look good and, again, there could be mold or odor issues to deal with if not drying it fully.

Here is a news report about a Thanksgiving ski in West Michigan (before the snow that they and @kurt received).

The Nautique dealer on the East side will have a Polar Ski on 12/2/2023.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKF8CXogs0Y

Might be useful in regions where boats have to be stored for the winter.  You get your boat trailer and enclosed storage in one.  I would think the best use case is for those that only have to launch the boat a few times per season.  Those who trailer their boats regularly to the lake to use them might find it a bit troublesome or unwieldy to handle all the time.  A wide open and deep launch area would also be important, I think.

How about some sort of waterski-related trivia or history during the event?  This could be either a question announced over the PA or some scrolling display on a big screen with questions, choices and eventually, after a pass is completed or there is another break in the action, the answer.  If the tournament were lucky enough to have shore camera feed the big screen, it could be used to show some of the tournament action interspersed with the questions.  Putting together a formidable set of questions into a presentation format would be the trick and would take lots of skiing history knowledge.  Some of the questions could even be rules-specific scenarios.  Then, once built, it could educate, inform, and entertain.  I am reminded of similar displays during the pre-showing time at the movie theaters.

@SCOT, what setting are you using now?

Awesome!  Thanks @Horton and @mike_mapple

Looks like @Mastercrafter training has paid off:

^^^^^ AI account?

Ordered a Goode XTR Team yesterday.  First brand new ski in 20 years.  Last one was a 9100.  Many used skis between.

It'll be a bit of a wait to ride it.

Sky (or Skylar) if it's a girl.  Landon if it's a boy.

@Horton, go to the 46:15 mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a-122q-zSQ

I think they said on the webcast that she was having a baby?

@canopyflier, it's so awesome to hear from you.  Best wishes on your continued recovery.

On 10/14/2023 at 8:14 AM, Web said:

Did anyone else see someone chopping weeds on the shoreline during the men's series 1 prelim??  Odd time for landscaping work!

I’ll have to rewind the webcast and take a look.  Either it was needed to clear paths for skiers walking out of the water after a fall or it’s a great cover activity when removing one of those non-existent gators that every Florida ski site is devoid of.

@jhughes, all of the boats are great at 28 off and shorter, especially 32 off and shorter.  I don't think that is where the criticism originated from.  And, I don't think anyone doubts the superiority of the 6.2 engine in that boat or the others.  It's calibrated perfectly, although I had heard it was not exactly right in the Ski Nautique when first appeared in 2018 (they apparently sorted it out before Nationals that year).  Top scores for top skiers wasn't the issue, if I recall correctly, unless it was mentioned during the boats first few months before it was fully dialed in.