blinddog

I just winterized my Carbon Pro and it's ready to put in storage for the winter. Problem is I forgot to put the gas stabilizer in before running the engine. Question is - should I redo it? The stabilizer is now in the gas tank so I would just have to buy the anti-freeze and go through the process again. I've always assumed the stabilizer should run through the entire fuel system and in this case, it's just in the tank. I don't mind the time and I hate to spend another $30 on antifreeze, but I don't want to create problems that could have been solved by spending a few bucks and a few minutes. Opinions?

He would be working in Richardson if he gets this job, so he'd be living around north Dallas somewhere. Looks like Dean's Lake might be closest. Anybody know anything about membership info, costs, etc. for any of the lakes?

If the Aussie boats are well made and have a decent wake, I can't imagine buying a 10-15 year old boat if I could get a brand new one for the same money, especially for what you're using it for. Also - wood in a boat is not all bad. Yes, you might have to replace the stringers 20 years from now but wood absorbs vibration much better than fiberglass so you end up with a boat that feels and sounds better.

@swaterca that Yuneec drone looks like a nice one. I looked at the specs and it says 43.5 mph in "follow me" mode. I know what that is but I wonder why they only publish the max speed in follow me mode? You are most likely going to fly the drone while filming slalom, so I would want to know the max speed in any other mode. Also, no matter what drone you get or how fast it will go, your boat will get up to speed much quicker than the drone, so you will need to get a "head start" if you want to keep up with a 36 mph slalom skier and basically let the boat and skier catch up once the drone is up to speed. That is the first thing I realized when I started with mine and it does take some practice to get your best shots.

I bought one this summer specifically to film slalom, it's an Autel X Star Premium, $650 refurbished directly from Autel (looked brand new), or at Best Buy new for $800. www.autelrobotics.com. It is easy to fly, as any of them are. I did a lot of research before buying, it is the highest rated in it's class, better than the comparable DJI drones in that price range. Customer service from Autel is excellent, and the drone is very, very smart with a lot of built in safety features. Their site has a lot of how-to videos so I basically knew how to fly it before I even received it. Comes with a very nice hard case too. I am the guy mentioned by @LeonL above. As Leon mentioned, the drawback is the max speed of 32 mph and if there's any wind, it wont reach that speed. It does have an excellent high def video/still camera and takes great video. If you want one that will keep up with a 36 mph skier, you will need one rated for at least 40 mph. @rwskier mentioned the DJI Mavic Pro that goes 40 mph in sport mode, problem is all the safety functions are disabled in sport mode and believe me you want the safety functions or you will end up with your drone at the bottom of the lake. If you want one that goes 40 and keeps the safety functions, you will likely spend at least $1200, probably more. No matter which drone you buy, the max battery life is 20-25 mins, so you will need a minimum of 2 batteries, I have 3. Extra batteries are $80-$100 each. If anyone wants to see video I took, PM me and I'll send you a link to my dropbox, it's very cool.

If he's a beginner in the course, I would recommend the regular Connelly V instead of the carbon version. Half the price and just as good a ski for him IMO. I upgraded last season from the regular V to the carbon V, I'm a 32/34 mph 15 off skier. It takes a better skier than me to realize the advantages of the carbon.

sold

Sorry, sold it already. Somebody else was PMing me earlier and bought it. Sorry.

Sorry, I left that out - $200 plus shipping

I am in Crestwood, Ky. I can ship it tomorrow, let me know.

Acme three blade prop, left turn. 13 x 12 1-1/8" keyway bore, model 515. I'm not sure if this prop has ever been used, it looks brand new. I had it as a backup prop for a 2004 Malibu LXi and never needed it, so it just sat in storage. I sold the boat last year and still have the prop so I want to sell it. Call or email with questions. Jim 502-291-4669 jimroshelli@gmail.com

I just bought this vest and it doesn't quite fit, I probably should have bought an XL. Anyway, I've used it for 4-5 sets and it's as close to new as a used vest can be. I will pay the shipping at sale price of $90. Call or email with questions, 502-291-4669 or jimroshelli@gmail.com

At your size and not running the course, I would get a 69" Connelly V, not the Carbon V. Barts and Water Ski World both have blanks for $399. That's going to be a huge improvement over the ski you're using and for the price you can't beat it. It's a little wider than most skis so its easier to get out of the water and less fatigue for you which means more time behind the boat. It's a great intermediate slalom course ski, but if you're not skiing the course, to spend more money than that is a waste.

Looks like the Ski Doc Orbit is the only one made in the USA, I just ordered one, I'll let you know how it works. BTW, they told me they are in the final tests of a vibration absorbing device of some kind that will mount on the Orbit and will probably sell for $25-30.

@ShererSkier - were you using the Ski Doc Orbit or just the regular Ski Doc tube mount?

I am interested in a camera mount. Seems like the EZ Cam looks pretty good for the price but the most recent comments on here are from 2013. Anyone have an opinion on the more recent EZ Cam (5th generation according to their site) or either of the others? Wakeye is expensive.

That's a different rope, but yes still a good deal.

@JordanOz that's very cool! I'd be interested to see the results from your course runs. Based on everything else I'm reading, sounds like 1.5x the boat speed is pretty close.

I've always been curious how fast a skier might be traveling while crossing the wake. For example, the max speed that a 36 mph skier at 15 off is traveling when crossing the wake. I am sure someone has analyzed or even figured out a way to time it and I know it might vary with the skier, but I am sure there is some data out there. Anyone? FYI, I'm a 15 off 32 mph skier, always been curious what speed I reach at some point behind the boat.

Yes I thought about that, so I bought 8 AA batteries and they are staying in their original packaging in the glove box, rather than in the lights. I think they're supposed to be good for 10 years like that.

They do float and they're going in the storage area anyway. I doubt I'll ever need them, but at least I have them just in case.

Actually I think most of the Carbon Pros do not have lights. It's funny because the ballast tank is standard (a great feature!), but nav lights aren't. Anyway, I got the lights I ordered from Wholesale Marine, here they are. The packages say for boats with max speed of 8 mph. Not sure if that is just a suggestion since they are held down by suction cups.

Thanks everybody - the Master Craft place got it off this morning. They also checked the shaft and it's straight. They are going to replace the damaged bushings, check the strut, and align everything so I should be good to go. Only issue left is it's going to take 7-10 days to get the prop fixed so my only backup is a 13 x 12 three blade. The one I pulled off is a 13 x 14.5 four blade. Shaft is 1.125" as it turns out and the backup fits that. My only concern there is running the rpms up too high with my son @ 36 mph. I guess I won't know until I try it. Only other option is to try to find a more suitable backup and get it quick so we can ski Memorial Day weekend.

I loosened the nut a few turns but left it on for that very reason. I'm going to pull the boat home and heat the hub to see if that helps. Otherwise, I'll have to take it somewhere.

I hit a log, I was pulling out at the end of a 36 mph pass and had pulled the throttle back to idle/gear just before before hitting it. I pulled one more pass and there was a noticeable vibration, so I pulled the boat out of the water. That "spacer" I described is definitely the strut bushing, I was able to slide it back into the strut. I suspect the damage to the bushing was a result of the vibration from the bent prop. I am with the boat now, the prop and shaft turns freely from what I can tell, but I can't get the prop off, even with a puller cranked down as tight as I can get it.