Rope Length vs. Rooster Tail

[DLarva]

I just got a 2012 200 sport and skied a couple times this past weekend. The first time I ran I was attached to the back pylon and things went smoothly. The second time I was attached to the center pylon and I was crossing over the rooster tail part of the wake (not sure what the correct terminology is here, but it's the hard part of the wake where all the water is flowing together). From what I could tell I could either lengthen my rope by about 10' or shorten it by about 15' to avoid the hard part of the wake.

Is this consistent with any else's experiences? What rope length allows you to cut through the softest parts of the wake? Is there anything that can be done to move the location of the hard wake?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[RideButter]

What total length rope are you currently working with? 75'(23m)?

[MinnesotaNautique]

DL,

We just picked up the same boat. At 28' off the wake (very flat) is great!

[DLarva]

Yeah, I'm using a 75' right now.

[swc5150]

There are a couple of factors in play here, your boat speed and rope length. Most inboard ski boats have their rooster tail around -22 off, from 30 to 36 mph (center mounted pylon). If you're not course skiing, just find a length where you're most comfortable and enjoy. A few things will also happen for people, when their slalom skiing improves... 1. You start skiing -28off, typically avoiding the rooster tail all together. 2. If you do ski -22, you're pull will tend to slice you through it without much of a bother. 3. You'll ski at a faster speed, which will also reduce the size of the tail. There are exceptions, of course, but stick with Nautique and you won't run into them

[DLarva]

I'm a intermediate to advanced skier. I'm riding a Connelly Concept and I think cutting relatively well. I've never skied though with anything but a standard length rope. If I go 15' off or say 28' off, what is the going to be the most significant difference (aside from hitting the wake at a better point)?

[DLarva]

Thanks for the info. Yeah, I'm not so much worried about falling because of the tail, just avoiding the jarring impact of hitting the thing dead on (granted it's extremely narrow at that point). I've got the ZO set to 34 and at 75' I'm hitting the end of the tail. My guess, as I was passing by at high speeds, was that I'd need to drop about 15' to get out in front of it, but it could be more.

[swc5150]

I'm a intermediate to advanced skier. I'm riding a Connelly Concept and I think cutting relatively well. I've never skied though with anything but a standard length rope. If I go 15' off or say 28' off, what is the going to be the most significant difference (aside from hitting the wake at a better point)?

The quick answer is speed. Each phase (turn, exceleration/deceleration, etc) happens much faster as you shorten the rope. If you're open water skiing, you'll only deal with the increased speed. In the course, you're timing will have to adjust to the extra speed / handle length to the buoy. This is the nut shell version

I see you're just over in the cities? I sure would love a pull behind your boat, as I'm really interested in checking out the 200V! Fuel, beer straight from the Leinie's brewery? Name your price

[81nautique]

Do you have the hydro gate in the slalom position because if you're intermediate to advance skier that rooster tail shouldn't even bother you. If the gate is up the rooster tail is huge.

[DanielC]

You think you have a 75 foot ski rope. It is really a 60 foot ski rope and a 15 foot mooring line.

[DLarva]

The quick answer is speed. Each phase (turn, exceleration/deceleration, etc) happens much faster as you shorten the rope. If you're open water skiing, you'll only deal with the increased speed. In the course, you're timing will have to adjust to the extra speed / handle length to the buoy. This is the nut shell version

I see you're just over in the cities? I sure would love a pull behind your boat, as I'm really interested in checking out the 200V! Fuel, beer straight from the Leinie's brewery? Name your price

Yup, over in the cities. The boat however is typically near Rice Lake, WI. I'll be bringing it back periodically though, and I'm more than willing to give you a pull behind it and can let you know when and were it might be (especially if there's Leinies involved). Alternatively, the guy I worked with at Marine Max will take you out on the water for a demo just about anytime you want. I could give you his contact info if you'd like. Let me know.

[DLarva]

Do you have the hydro gate in the slalom position because if you're intermediate to advance skier that rooster tail shouldn't even bother you. If the gate is up the rooster tail is huge.

Yeah, it's in the slalom position. It isn't bothering me in a way that would cause me to wipe or anything. It's just super compact and really hard. It's like hitting a speed bump. I'm just thinking that skiing will be even that much more enjoyable when I'm just passing through soft water, like the difference between skiing on glass vs. some chop.

[swc5150]

Yup, over in the cities. The boat however is typically near Rice Lake, WI. I'll be bringing it back periodically though, and I'm more than willing to give you a pull behind it and can let you know when and were it might be (especially if there's Leinies involved). Alternatively, the guy I worked with at Marine Max will take you out on the water for a demo just about anytime you want. I could give you his contact info if you'd like. Let me know.

Rice Lake would be much better, as we live just south in Bloomer. I'll bring the Honeyweiss! If you ever want to ski some ball too, let me know, as we'd be happy to have you come down to Bloomer (Lake Como). I'll have the course in the water, the grill fired up, and the beer on ice. You'll be slummin' it behind my Prostar though

[DanielC]

"You'll be slummin' it behind my Prostar though"

That should cure him of having a problem behind his Nautique!

[swc5150]

"You'll be slummin' it behind my Prostar though"

That should cure him of having a problem behind his Nautique!

No doubt!! Our old tug does have great wake though. I'm pulling all the graphics though, as MC is just too hard on my eyes