Random question

[Zach@n3]

I've always wondered what the cross wake speed of a professional short line skier is. It has to be above 60 mph.

[swc5150]

Here's a great thread over at BOS on this topic...

http://ballofspray.com/forum#/discus...d-how-bad-i-am

[jsta281]

For some reason I can't see the video

[swc5150]

BOS can be finicky, depending on the browser. Jeff must have the internet figured out, as I can view everything on PN not matter what I'm using

Zack,
I've been told that a strong pull can equate to roughly twice the boat speed, at least for a split second. I'm honestly not sure of the accuracy of this, but I can't imagine it's too far off?

[BrennanK]

I love skiing the course. After my first few times I was addicted. After skiing a course for a year almost exclusively, anything else is just boring to me know.
All I ever want to do is go out and chase some buoys. I used to think I was pretty good a skiing, but after your first run at a course you will quickly realize otherwise. It took me a full two years of the course before I was able to complete a pass at 15off at 28MPH. It is hard for me, up here (in MN) I am just getting some consistent runs in by August, and then the water freezes and I must start all over. My goal this year is to be consistent at 15 off at 32MPH.

Lucky for me I am still young, so hopefully I have a few loops on the rope to go still.

Also, I love seeing threads like this. I always worry that true slalom skiing is a fading sport. I have ridden a wakeborad a few times, compared to making a full pass in the course it is childs play. Nothing beats the feeling of rounding all six.

[Zach@n3]

It is for sure a dying sport. I would love to find a way to revive it. It seems as if (no offence to anyone) the sport tends to go with the next easiest thing to do from a beginners stand point. It’s way easier to get up on a wake board than a slalom ski and even so a trick ski. So a beginner will strap on a wakeboard and have fun all day rather than get frustrated with a skinny stick. Now it’s progressed to wake surfing, easier for older people and just as rewarding. It gets more people out on the water and sells more boats which are both great for the industry and the boating lifestyle.

Getting into 3 event skiing requires access to a tournament lake and someone who knows what the heck they are talking about to teach you. This requires an expensive membership (usually) and a group of one or two friends who are as interested in the sport as you are. Most everyone else would rather wakeboard/surf(which is just fine). The boats are bigger and more comfortable, cooler looking, better sound systems, more convenience features so coming into boating with a clean slate who wouldn't pick the blinged out wakeboat with all the chicks on it?

All you need to progress in wakeboarding/surfing is half way smooth water and a normal lake. From a beginner standpoint that would be the clear winner.

Don't take any of my comments the wrong way. To be an accomplished wakeboarder or wakesurfer takes lots of time, practice, and skill. The easy comment is just from a beginner standpoint. I respect boarders and surfers that can do cool stuff I can't. I love to watch someone go upside down off a huge wake (just not at 7 am while I barefoot/slalom haha). Most all of my friends are wakeboarders and I will weight the old 86 up any day and pull them off the fly hi.

I actually can't afford any of the ski clubs around Indy so I didn't get on a course once last year.

[OKWAKEBDR]

thanks for all the great information, we have a slalom course not far from where I live on the lake, might have to play around with it this summer.

I hope you don't do that in your G23. The boat gates are only 90 1/2 inches wide.

[swc5150]

Zach, I was totally on board with you until the part about wake boats being better looking. Nothing is cooler looking than a TSC1-3 or 200 They look like little fighter jets, where the G's look like big ol' aircraft carriers

[BrennanK]

Zach, I was totally on board with you until the part about wake boats being better looking. Nothing is cooler looking than a TSC1-3 or 200 They look like little fighter jets, where the G's look like big ol' aircraft carriers

I felt the same way!
I love the way the TSC hulls looks with the retro graphics. When you see one of those zip past in the lake you know they mean business. It seams everyone has wake boats, or what looks like wake boats these days. I like looking different.
Sleek and fast is what I like, I have no need for bling and 14 speakers.

I still think the 2009 196 with a black top stripe and red bottom strip with a white deck and hull is the best looking ski boat I have ever seen.

[swc5150]

I have so many favorites, but I'm determined to have a TSC1 for my next boat. My 3's were sweet, but now way overpriced, and I prefer the stern exit of the bubble back, versus the trunk. No need to spend big $$ to still get world class wakes!

[pokesgrad02]

I recently learned to slalom in the past couple of years from my father in-law. I will have to admit it is much harder to pick up and get up on a rail than a huge board. Not to mention next to impossible to find good water during the day as not to get the crap kicked out of you. 7 am runs are always best but I find it ever impossible to get the driver (wife) out on the water with me at that time of day. Maybe it is because I am "older", only 33, but every since learning to get out of the water on a slalom my board has stayed at the house.

Nothing more fun than carving on glass on Table Rock Lake.

[Zach@n3]

Hey hey hey guys!!! I didn't say I think the wake boats are better looking . Just to the casual observer. We have this 09 yellow carbon shard style 196 in the shop with a full throttle package and black dash with a matching yellow Ramlin and oh my goodness does that boat do something for me. I'm a sleek speedy low to the water boat type of guy. Each year of Ski Nautique has a special place in my heart. I specifically set out looking for an 86 when I was 19 and got one. I love the 200 but IMHO the 09 196 was the last boat that "looked" like a Ski Nautique. Love the lines of my dad's new 98 SNOB.

We live in a blinged out bigger is better type of world.

[Motox811]

Thanks everyone for the great info. Im glad my random thought wasn't so random. The only problem is I'm totally amped to go to the lake but it snowed a foot last night!!!! Looks like spring isnt quite here yet.

[HS]

Thanks everyone for the great info. Im glad my random thought wasn't so random. The only problem is I'm totally amped to go to the lake but it snowed a foot last night!!!! Looks like spring isnt quite here yet.

It was about 39 here this morning, but from I-90 I saw a WB boat out on Lake Washington on my way into the office today!

[robertsmcfarland]

thanks here too and no I would try the course on my g23 but good to know the with of the driving balls . we are very respectful of the skiers when they are on the course , if we see a boat on the course we turn and board on the next finger!