For me the Vapor give me a more “solid” feeling with wake crossings, and it turns better. It’s more stable at higher speeds. It does what ever I ask of it with very little effort other than the physicality of skiing it(which I like). I can tell the difference between the Alloy Senate and the Vapor, the Vapor just gives me more confidence when I ski it, I know I have a LONG LONG way to go to begin to even reach the potential of the Vapor, but that’s half the journey, right?
I have skied the Union/Session and it’s too “soft”. It’s close to my Butterknife but they won’t turn nearly as aggressively and they get a little spooky at 30+.
I planned on skiing the Butterknife for the 1st ride of the year and for the week to get back in ski shape after a long Wisconsin winter, but switched back to the Vapor the second day, it just felt better.
A poor analogy would be like riding my RC51 and getting on the Goldwing...they’re both motorcycles but one is a WSB with turn signals and the other is a Volkswagen without a roof or doors-apples and oranges.
For just goof off free skiing the Butterknife/Union is great, easy to ski and super easy starts. The Vapor is a much more physically demanding ski and I like that part of it. And, I couldn’t pass up the new in the box never used demo ski price.
I wouldn’t call 190 “heavy”, I’m 6ft tall as well, and in very good physical condition for being 60. Maybe that was just a generalization😉.
@S1Pitts will move the boots up 1 or 2 positions and see if that makes a difference. Worth a try...all it can do is not work!