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chipkimball

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Everything posted by chipkimball

  1. @Mortyski your help with the double wing was instrumental. Thank you for the tips and the help. It has really been a great help for me:)
  2. @Bionaraq - I've been there and really want to encourage you. Can be done. I started some good skiing at 6'3" and 370 after dropping from 455. Yes, seriously. I then dropped to 275, and am currently skiing very strong at 305. Lots of learning and it isn't easy, but last season I skied 106 times between April and October at that weight. First - it is a much about the boat driver as it is about the skier with your physical dynamics. It should be a slowish drag and then when you are starting to plane - pop. I call it a hard gradual then pop kind of pull. When I'm in good ski shape it can be all pull, but that is the way you need to start. You definitely need a 71" ski. The Butterknife is good, or the Radar Session, or the Omni or Connely V or any of the wide ride skis. It is possible to do too wide. The Big Daddy, for example, you will be able to get up on, but it won't be nearly as fun to ski. You will also want to make sure you are using Clincher gloves (I used the Masterline Pro Locks). I can't get up without them, period. This is a must. The handle is less of an issue for me as I seem to be able to use a variety of handles, but if you can't keep the ski straight, you'll want to start with the Help Me Up rope that has a bridal. And even as a bigger guy, you can progress to a high performance ski. For me, I'm skiing on a Radar Lithium Senate 71 with a Reflex binding and and half binding in back. I'm also using a whisper fin with two wings on it after doing some reading about how that fin and wing set up helps bigger guys. I LOVE how the ski turns and bits and I can really get it to perform. Honestly, I have no business skiing at my weight, but I love love love it. Nothing quite like it. Of course losing weight will, help - A LOT. Stay on your journey, you can do this. AND - you can ski at your weight. It will take the right driver and equipment, and a lot of will, but it can be done. Good luck. PM me if you have any questions.
  3. Thank you @mike_mapple. Very helpful. So many choices....it can be a bit confusing as to what ski is just right. Thank you again!
  4. My wife (57) skis occasionally on a 10 year old HO Freeride. She enjoys it but I would like to get her a more modern ski. She is a 32mph recreational skier and has no desire to ski the course. A friend recommended the Radar Session. There is the HO version, or other Radar options. Suggestions for a great free-skiing ski that is a little lighter and is consistent with the shape that most skis have these days?
  5. As many have said, the differences between the boats are mostly negligible and is more about preference than anything else. If it is possible, I would try and arrange to drive and ski each back to back. I owned a 2010 200 and loved it and just recently purchased a 2021 200 after back to back testing of the PS vs. the 200. The PS is a great boat and it would have been great as well. You can over analyze this to death - just go drive and ski each and decide what YOU like best.
  6. Absolutely worth it. I've been to several ski schools and am an open water skier with average skills. I first went in my mid-40's and made friends that have been dear friends since (over 15 years now). Go and have a blast. The only challenge is that you will likely ski a lot and by mid week you'll probably be sore. Protect your hands and listen to your body - and HAVE A BLAST!!!
  7. @rockdog its the Nautique 200. Thx for pointing out the error:)
  8. I have owned both MC and SN and have skied behind both the new Prostar and the 200. With the new Prostar this year I was very motivated to buy the Prostar, and actually had a build slot reserved. Then I skied them back to back and ended up ordering a 2021 SN 200 instead. For me, I like the pull and the wakes slightly better. I find that it tracks better and turns tightly more effectively, and I also didn't like the sight lines in the PS. The build is solid and it's just a great boat. This is an issue primarily of preference. There are lots of skiers who will say that the PS has a better pull and wakes, and then there are others that will say the SN. Frankly, you will get a great pull and great skiability no matter which way you go. The ergonomics of the PS and the convertable top are well thought out and it is also a great boat. In terms of pricing, I found that with a good dealer you can get about the same price on either boat. Availability is an issue on both, so if you're going to order do it now. I am extremely happy that I've ordered the 2021 SN 200. I am sure you will be happy with either. My suggestion is that you drive and ski behind both and make a decision based upon how it feels to you. There is not a technical correct answer as they are both great boats, it's just about preference, and you can't make that preference decision until you're behind the wheel of both. Good luck and happy skiing:)
  9. Thx for the comments. Consensus seems to be that mostly it doesn't matter, which is what I thought but my ski partner was asking. 2013 SN 200.
  10. For Ski Nautique 200 owners, for a premium wake do you run with the gas tank full, or as close to empty as reasonable? Some boats the wake is better full, and others empty. For the SN200 - what is best for best wake results?
  11. Getting ready to get in line for a new Prostar. Any thoughts on engine options 6.0 or 6.2? Pros and Cons? @Horton any insights?
  12. I ordered the WhisperFIn from Jay 2 months ago. He was super helpful and supportive. I did this alongside a new ski - Senate Lithium 71 - and it has been AMAZING how much better the ski performs. It turns when I want it to turn and I love the set up. Keep in mind I'm a big guy - 295 and 6'3" but I'm still pulling like a madman. THx Jay!! Congrats on your new manufacturing process:)
  13. I was skiing on a 2014 Senate and just upgraded to the 2020 Lithium Senate. Feels like a different ski and it's awesome!! Faster, more maneuverable, more forgiving.
  14. @vegaskid I am bigger than you - 295# and ski on the 71 Senate and LOVE IT!! I have tried lots of big boy skis and the Lithium Senate is an awesome stick. I also put on the whisper fin set up. Good luck and have fun!!
  15. Adam is a remarkable skier and engineer, and an even more remarkable man. Good friend and passionate about the sport. #skihero #leaveitallonthedock
  16. @Horton Looking at boats is never a waste of time.....just sayin:)
  17. Your comments are so very helpful, and I appreciate the insights. I look forward to trying them both. I also wonder if the PS is up for an upgrade soon. That could prove to be interesting as well:)
  18. There have been some good discussions about the new modifications to the SN 200. Has anyone skied the new SN 200 vs. the Prostar, and are there any good objective views out there (should there be such a thing). I've owned both Nautique and Mastercraft, and while I currently have a slight SN bias, I can go either way. I'm a big skier, 6'4 and 270, so I need a good pull with perfect wakes. What do the skiers out there think of what is out there now. 2019 SN 200 or Prostar? Go!
  19. Skied with Wade at his ski site in February and it was AWESOME!! Conditions were perfect, and more importantly, Wade was an incredible coach. He is more knowledgable than just about anybody in the industry, and he loves working with people of any skill level. In our group we had my buddy skiing into 38 off, and my niece who skied on a single ski for the first time. Because of Wade's history in the sport he knows about every boat, every ski, and every technique tried since the beginning of time (kidding - but he knows A LOT). He has an easy style, laughs a lot, and LOVES THE SPORT. We will definitely be back to ski with Wade. He is BACK!!
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