manos

Can the nice lady with the camera do a trick Nate can't do yet? Have her demonstrate and then Nate gets 3 tries w/o instruction. If Nate fails @Eagle1 does laundry for a month. If Nate does it, footing bragging rights forever...

@ALPJr, no but I did get my 66 Helix demo from Paul on Saturday. Put fin back to stock before the ride and caught hell from the other club members for doing so. Out of the box is measured, 2.514 D, 6.94 L and .78 from tail (slot calipers). I'm 155 lbs and 5'6" 34 mph (never made 35 off). Coming off a 9960 Goode with power shell double boots. Velcro and all I strapped it on and went skiing today. 22, 22, 28, 28, 28 and.... 32. Made them all. Only tried 32 once last week and barely got 2.5. Day one and I'm already ahead. This may have been an expensive set! Commets: Similar in speed/angle across the wakes. Forgiving in the turn, ski responds when you need it to. ski carries more speed and for me the big improvement is a much faster exit and tighter radius. Front foot pressure doesn't mean the ski stops which makes turn into the gates and 2 4 side much more consistent (LFF). Much less of a hit on the body if / when you run the pass late. Bottom line, easier ski to ski on vs the Goode 9960. Of course that ski is 3-4 yrs old now....

@6balls yep that's me, looking forward to a huge ski upgrade and a well taken care of boat that will last! New depth gauge, new rub rail, fresh steering wheel and some Armor-All.... I'm ready for summer. You and JR'd be proud. If ever in the Pacific NW, look me up for a tow..... BTW, our club boat is a Txi..... Good, but more $$, same family space and not a sharp looking as the 197 (obviously subjective).

I had a 1998 SNOB, mint condition with 900 hrs and no PP. Decided that the 197 was the way to go for my family with two young kids. Needed walk through bow, more power and ZBOX at least. Found a 2005 197 w/ 1200+ hours in your budget stated range last October. Wake and power is terrific! Still early but no major mechanical issues. Fired it up after 4 months of sleep, not a single puff of blue smoke (MCX motor is solid). Space to move around is way better than what I had. Don't be afraid of 1000+ hours as long as the fiberglass and interior are in good shape. If so good chance mechanical is looked after too.