Best way shorten the rope?

[Uzj100]

I double it, wrap it around the tower once, go underneath then put the loop over the tower. It still chews up my rope. Is there a better way?

[ES]

You have a couple of options. Found this one on the net: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-nef3BGSnQ

Otherwise, the way I do it, hopefully I can do justice with the description:
Lay out the rope horizontally in front of you, then do one zero shape (aka loop), leave an inch space or two and then do another zero with the top. Now lay this second loop on top of the first one and put it on the tower.
If you make a mistake and lay the first hoop over the second, the rope will slip.
A local wakeboarder pro taught me this knot and it's phenomenal...literally takes me a few seconds to change the rope length and no damage to the rope.

[biggator]

I have a spare, cheap uncoated rope if I feel I need to tie it off shorter than my shortest coated length. I think my shortest good rope goes down to 60.. can't imagine wanting to go much shorter than that.

[jmo]

You have a couple of options. Found this one on the net: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-nef3BGSnQ

Otherwise, the way I do it, hopefully I can do justice with the description:
Lay out the rope horizontally in front of you, then do one zero shape (aka loop), leave an inch space or two and then do another zero with the top. Now lay this second loop on top of the first one and put it on the tower.
If you make a mistake and lay the first hoop over the second, the rope will slip.
A local wakeboarder pro taught me this knot and it's phenomenal...literally takes me a few seconds to change the rope length and no damage to the rope.

The knot you are referring to is called a "clove hitch" common knot used by climbers...

[Miljack]

The link to youtube shows the knot I use to shorten any wakeboard/ski rope, works great! and that video makes it really easy to do...

[ES]

The knot you are referring to is called a "clove hitch" common knot used by climbers...

Thanks jmo, I didn't know its name

[Nordicron]

The link to youtube shows the knot I use to shorten any wakeboard/ski rope, works great! and that video makes it really easy to do...

That knot will mess up any coated or sleeved rope. There isn't a knot out that you can tie off a coated rope and not eventually screw up your rope unless your pulling a real small person.

[Uzj100]

I have a spare, cheap uncoated rope if I feel I need to tie it off shorter than my shortest coated length. I think my shortest good rope goes down to 60.. can't imagine wanting to go much shorter than that.

This is for my 9 yr old, slowly working him into longer lengths. But we're not quite to the shortest set length.

[biggator]

This is for my 9 yr old, slowly working him into longer lengths. But we're not quite to the shortest set length.

I actually run my 7yo at 70'.. she's not trying to go w2w, so I may as well give her lots of room back there. She still has no problem going out both ways.. when she does start trying to really jump, I may have to go with the very short rope.

[Uzj100]

I actually run my 7yo at 70'.. she's not trying to go w2w, so I may as well give her lots of room back there. She still has no problem going out both ways.. when she does start trying to really jump, I may have to go with the very short rope.

We started long, but now he's going w2w. He's convinced he'll land a tantrum by summer. He's gotten 3/4 of it. I can't seem to get him to get aggressive enough on the approach, and he doesn't trip it hard enough either.