Approved tow boats

[jayski]

Can someone explain to me why the AWSA feels it is necessary to mandate for a current model year or previous year to pull RC tournaments. I fail to see the reasoning as to why a same hull boat from 4 or 5 years ago is not an option for these tournaments. Reading this forum the majority seem to voice concern for low participation perhaps one issue is the AWSA forcing clubs to continually upgrade boats to be able to hold ALL levels of tourney's. Realistically there is no difference between a 14 and 17 SN 200 or Prostar...I just do not see the reasoning for that financial burden and PIA factor to maintain the current year boat...and yes I am sure this horse is dead already but some of us are not bright enough to stop beating it...

[Horton]

@jayski

http://media.tumblr.com/fe497dd337d9af8479bb6398b9565d16/tumblr_inline_mg6n5ltl6X1rxe4lt.gif

 

You might want to read this

 

[jayski]

@Horton Thanks for the panda but my question/statement was for RECORD tournaments or 'R' not 'C' I am well aware of that...

[LeonL]

Some elite skiers either have boats supplied to them, or they buy the latest. Many will say that a single puck system skis much differently from a dual puck. Many will say a 5.3 skis much different from a 5.7. We had an instance this weekend where we were unable to get a current year boat for our Class C. I requested and received approval from our Regional Drivers committee rep to use a 2008 SN 196 with ZO. An elite skier in our state (who bought a 200 so he can get them same pull in practice as tournaments) told me it was just a different feel and couldn't adjust to it. That's after several years of not skiing behind a 196. This is a guy who runs 39, so little things can have a significant impact at those line lengths.

This may or may not be an answer to the question. It's a chicken or the egg thing. If you ski various boats, of different years you may not have a problem. If you only ski the latest, and get an older boat you just might.

[Horton]

@jayski darn I hate it when I give out a panda by mistake

[skierjp]

Also, if you're paying $200 to ski a Record tournament you would expect to have the latest and greatest..

[BraceMaker]

@skierjp What pro sport doesn't? Particular in regards to motor equipment.

 

But from that perspective I guess you'd expect every pro to show up with their own boat,crew,driver, coach.. ye gads

 

[lpskier]

Is someone thinking of having a tournament at Cottonwood?

[skierjp]

@BraceMaker This is why we have Promo Boats!

[jayski]

@LeonL there are 4 manufactures of boats approved, they all feel different so the mentality of buying one to be 'prepared' for tournaments is flawed..the only strong argument for buying a 200 per say is if said skier competed in the Big Dawg or on the international stage where that is the only tow boat. Same skier could get any of the other three when it comes to Nat's...

 

@skierjp perhaps if it wasnt a necessity to run the newest boat tournaments would cost less than $200...also not all states have promo boats so easily available as you do in Florida...or if at all

[dbutcher]

In theory, old boats are more likely to break down during a tournament. This could cause delay or perhaps a worse issue if the breakdown happened during a highly competitive Record or Cash Prize tournament. Perhaps that's why new boats are required in Record tournaments but not in Class C and below. I'd be interested in hearing the AWSA towboat committee's thinking on the issue. Contrary to popular opinion, there are usually pretty good reasons behind AWSA rules and policies, and recently AWSA has demonstrated more flexibility than ever before. I recognize the shortage of promo boats in most of the U.S. so I sympathize with tournament sponsors. I write this only because there are at least two sides to every story. I don't have a dog in the fight.

 

[ForrestGump]

I would say that is not an issue. I've had multiple current year promos break down at tournaments. The older boats have already been through their teething pains and are typically rock solid.