Binding position check - 67" Radar Senate

[oldjeep]

New guy here. My wife picked up a new ski for me and I'm trying to make sure that I get the bindings in a good starting position for the first trip out. I've always had bigger oversized skis (69 KD Powercarve and a 69 OBrien Evidence) in the past.

 

I've found a few things on the web which say that the normal position is right in the middle of the binding mounting options, found another place where it said 29.5" from tail to rear of front boot. Using that measurement puts my bindings as far back as they can go.

 

Thoughts? Hoping to get out Saturday to try it out

 

Thanks

[oldjeep]

A visual if it helps. I've currently got it set as close to 29.5 as I could. Radar RTP with a Connelly Sidewinder front

[baja]

I believe that 29 1/2 is the correct stock setting. I'm at 29 5/8 on the 2010 Senate Carbon with 2013 Strada boots on the Radar Sequence Plate.

[oldjeep]

Thanks. I think I'll double check it because even though I said 29.5, I'm finding that some of the things I looked at yesterday said 29.25 and some said 29.5 - now I'm wondering which I actually used. Although my skiing isn't anything to write home about, I want to make sure I'm at least starting out with things in the proper position.

[mikey]

I'm at 29.5 with Vector front RTP rear. Feels pretty good to me.

[oldjeep]

Got to try it out this morning on Prior Lake and I really like it. Took a little getting used to since it feels really squirrelly at first compared to the big skis that I have been using. Get to try it out in a course on Tuesday, that should be interesting since I haven't tried that in 5 years and wasn't any good at it then ;)

[oldjeep]

Got some grainy video that my son took with a digital still camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-XuvcnRxug&feature=youtu.be

 

[BruceEmery]

I use Goode Powershells on a 67 Sen. C at 29 7/8. Further forward seems to work better for my skiing style.

[oldjeep]

Well, I got to ski a course with the new ski on Prior Lake this morning with my father in law and one of the guys he skis with every morning. It was very humbling, but instructional. They backed me down to 28MPH to start and after a few runs with a lot of coaching from one of the guys, I was able to get a few balls without feeling like I was going to die. It was really interesting skiing at 28 since it kept me from finishing my turns by kicking the tail - at that speed it would sink.

 

Definitely learned a lot by just watching my FIL's friend ski since he was starting out at 28 and made it look very smooth and easy. I think he has around 40 years on me in age and 50 in experience.

 

Can't wait to try it again

[Bill22]

@oldjeep I have the 65” Senate C that I just got this spring. I called Radar to get my settings and they were very helpful. I like my senate. I have mostly been freeskiing on it.

 

I am not giving advice, just curious. Did you take the wing off? Skiers that are much better than me, have advised me to take if off until I am skiing at 32-34mph.

 

[oldjeep]

No, the wing is still on there. What does removing it do?

[mikey]

I took the wing off my 67 Senate and really like how it performs now. I free ski between 30-34mph. To me the ski feels just as stable without wing and tends to carry more speed. I'm still work on crossing wake in stacked position. But, I don't plan on putting the wing back on...

[baja]

No wing here. At 28mph into 34mph the Senate C is smooth, balanced, and fast, without it.

[oldjeep]

Did a little searching and found a long discussion about the wing that I didn't understand much of ;) I've always just left the wing at the factory position - assuming that it was there for a reason. Even my huge KD Powercarve has one, guess it is no big deal to pull it off and give it a try.

 

Maybe I'll get out again on Sunday, depends on how dead I feel after MuckFest on Saturday.

[Bill22]

A ski coach told me the wing mostly to slow you down just before the turn. But if your not going too fast, you would not need to slow down. I think it may also help the ski turn.

 

I am really not the one to ask about wing and fin info. It is a little above my skill level.

[oldjeep]

I took your advice this morning and removed the wing. It really did seem to make a difference in the way it felt. I was able to hit all 6 twice (28MPH @15 off). It was only my second day in the course this year so I was pretty happy with that result. With any luck I'll get to try again next Tuesday.