V Drive Question

[dubs1013]

Hi All,

 

I have been skiing all my life but just this year put a course in my lake and have been ripping it all year. I have an 04 Mastercraft 205V. I just completed my best for the summer at 31' off, but was wondering if this is tainted at all because it's a V drive and not a direct drive? As in, is it easier to complete the course because of the V drive and that the pole that is pushed further back in the boat?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

[ForrestGump]

The vdrive boat certainly doesn't have as soft of a wake. And since the pylon is still centerline, that has no bearing. Now the fact that the pylon is further aft behind the tracking fins means the driver has to be on their game.

[webbdawg99]

Did you mean 32 off? The V-drive probably makes the course more difficult to complete bc of a larger wake. The location of the pylon has no bearing other than different wake characterisitics at different line lengths. Does the boat have speed control? Which system? Thats the the million dollar question

 

Actually....the million dollar question is are you having fun and are you getting better???? THAT is all that matters!

[dubs1013]

Yes 31' off was a typo, meant 32' off. There is no speed control on the boat but the driver was confident he kept it at 32mph. I feel as if I can shed more off and go faster, but I am still getting used to a lot of the timing. Is 32' off considered average for a decent skier? I know the pros rip in the upper 30s and the world record is 41, but kind of was just hoping to see where I stand.

[webbdawg99]

Keep in mind that the pros are skiing at 36 mph. There is a HUGE difference between 36 and 32. How old are you? Your top speed is probably 34 or 36 depending on your age.

[dubs1013]

Yeah I can definitely imagine their is a huge difference. I'm 23 year old male, 6'1 about 170lbs. I'm in no way insinuating that I'm a pro or even close to one, just was thinking of possibly trying to go to a few friendly amateur competitions for fun.

[ral]

32 off would not be average for a non-competitive skier, and not average for one year in the course.

 

Personally, I have not seen anyone getting from free skiing to 32 off in one season.

[webbdawg99]

Keep in mind that as you speed the boat up, the wake will get flatter and be easier to cross. My advice would be to go back to 15 or 22 off and start speeding the boat up. Unfortunately, without a speed control system, it'll be hard for you to get a consistent pull. What part of the country are you in? If you're new to the sport and looking to get into it, there may be a baller on here that could help get you more involved, coach you, and get you behind a nice boat with Zero Off on it. But like I said before, if you're having fun and thats your goal.....nothing else really matters

 

And at your age, your top speed would be 36 mph in a tournament. It slows down to 34 when you turn 35 years old

[dubs1013]

Thanks for the heads up Ral. I have been skiing my whole life, and slamomed for a LONG time just on the open water before setting up a course this year.

[KcSwerver]

At your age you should be going 36 if you want to be on par with tournament skiers your age. I also agree with @webbdawg99

Drop back to fifteen off. And start increasing speed to 34 and 36 it will reinvent the course for you.

[KcSwerver]

I also have a prostar 205 that I ski behind on occasion. I will warn you that as the boat speeds up that wake will get hard. It's important to be in proper position across the wake

[dubs1013]

@webbdawg99 & @KcSwerver, thanks for the advice. I am heading up to the lake for a 4 day weekend this Thursday and will definitely try to put some more rope on and speed the boat up. I am from Massachusetts but ski on Mousam Lake in Acton, Maine.

[crashman]

32 off behind a V-Drive is pretty bada$$. Hang around here long enough and you'll start to think if your average isn't into 38 or 39.5 you're nothing, but I've met skiers who have been in the course for decades and live on ski lakes and ski -15 30 mph. Ski what you think is fun.