Fastguy888

I look forward to seeing this technology continue to emerge. Currently love the power of my 30 year old Tige SLM Comp with Big Block and EFI. Need batteries with potential energy per pound close to the energy per pound in petrol. Currently the best lithium batteries are about 100 to 1. (electric motors and gearboxes typically weigh less than eclectic ones so there is that factor) Need batteries that can become structural part of hull rather than in addition to the hull (this tech is emerging) - Would then need the hull/battery to either last the life of a boat with a good recycle program or be able to be reasonably refurbished.

I ended up with a 1994 Tige SLM 2000 with the 454 MPI (Fuel Injected) 7.4L with a claimed 415hp and TRQ. With the latest PP with Z-Box it feels much more like a ZO boat than less powerful motors; however, you will never get the instant response like others have noted with ZO.

I have the 11 and like the fact I can mount on my Bimini or mirror and capture the whole course without a follow device; then at 4k I can zoom in and use editing software to give the follow effect for Vertical Instagram etc and still look good. This one was in the widest Superview but can capture whole course also in just Wide view that is a little tighter. https://www.instagram.com/p/CvDbIEtA16e/

On my 1994 Tige SLM with 454 EFI I do it all because few know as much about this boat as I have been forced to learn; I don't want to pay to teach others what I already know. When I get a newer boat, I look forward to paying someone else for everything outside routine maintenance.

Saw this on YouTube and posted on Facebook. Was also interesting to hear at the end "developing Jean-Baptiste Faisy for the 2024 Olympics"?

I think many Personal Water Craft owners really want a lightweight 3-event sport boat. Be interesting to launch a AWSA certifiable slalom tug but under the persona of a Personal/Family Watercraft, focusing on the driving fun and capabilities as much as the wake, speed control and tracking. After all; 3-event boats are fun to drive and connect with the water. Wake/Surf boats are more like captaining a yacht with all the pros and cons that come with that.

We all get excited about the boat; but without a safe working trailer to get it to your favorite spot, the boat is useless. Make sure the trailer can safely get your boat to your destination. Check that tires and bearings are newer and in working order. You will hopefully spend countless hours enjoying and thinking about your boat and skiing; however, while you are trailering your new baby, all you will be thinking about is the trailer (or hopefully not if its in good order).

I'm in CA but have family that lives in Albany Wi. About 5 years ago we went Jet Skiing on a little patch of the Sugar river that is Decatur Lake near Broadhead. It was shallow but possibly ok for tournament boat; I would investigate depths before launching, but about perfect size for a slalom course. You launch here https://goo.gl/maps/nySrmQFqiXF9xohe9 but Decatur is just west. If you put one in there I will come visit!

I believe my 1994 TIGE SLM2000 shares the hull mold with the same era Centurium Falcons built by Fineline Industries and would be very similar. I have the 454 EFI SKi in mine so probably a bit heavier than the 350's. Wake is one of the best ever for long lines and 30-34mph. This is likely due to 90's boats being sub 3k lbs (2475) and flat bottom rear. Solid bump at 22off where 2 sides converge. 34MPH the wake gets harder than a Natique 196 but are flatter. 32-35 Off is very flat, probably get spray shorter than 35Off. Tracking is not nearly as good as most modern ZO Boats but I think my Tige tracks better than a friends 1994 ProStar. Here it is 15Off 30.4 MPH from a while back when I just started skiing again. and a friend on open water at 32Off 34 MPH

@foxriverat my set up for these is a little different than other bungee / lace up / BOA bindings. On my size 12's the BOA laces high enough up the top of my foot that getting the BOA too snug can prevented my foot from releasing, even with the top bungee almost completely loose. What works best for me is tightening the BOA snug but not firm, tightening the upper bungee, then I will release the BOA to take off some tension and then snap it back down without tightening it. This results in the upper bungee being pretty snug, BOA not having loose line but barely snug. I find with the rigid lower the bindings are still very responsive even with the BOA barely snug.

Tow-sports are mirroring a cultural shift. The fitness required and wiliness to push beyond what is easy for recreational fulfillment has been replaced by fandom, technology and lower effort, lower risk activities. To be fit is often reduced to sex appeal or a tool for elite athletes. The fringes of what is considered physically healthy has been moved out by the crutch of modern drugs. When fitness is once again celebrated as a vessel for an enhanced human experience covering all aspects of life from health to recreation and psychological confidence; hopefully once again, 3-Event towsports will become the desirable way to recreate behind a boat.

I had this issue on my 1995 Mercruiser 454 EFI SKI (MPI). Boat would run fine until it got hot and then either rough idle or dead ignition (probably from computer throwing a fault) until I let it cool down. It turned out to be a form of vapor lock through the VST (Vapor Separator Tank). This was somewhat a common issue, that I believe was also an issue on the 350's. Not sure if your year still used the same style VST tanks. Google "Mercruiser VST Start Issue" and their is a lot of info. In my case their was a diaphragm with a spring that was installed on the wrong side; their was a refresh on the diaphragm/spring orientation, but their was never a bulletin to the techs, so was common for them to install backwards.

I love my S-Line. I was curios to know during the first sets at the Lake 38 Pro if adapting to the new ropes (first time in pro competition I think) was causing a bit of an adjustment period for the skiers. It looked like the skiers were getting a bit more slack and making more changes to Zero-Off than normal during Saturdays first round. Ultimately they figured it out with near world record scores for the weekend.

@OREGON85 Are your mechanical skill such that attempting to pre-lube the engine could potentially leave more opportunity to hurt something then the relatively low possibility you will cause any issues filling it up with oil and firing it up? Personally speaking as a relatively good mechanic; I have caused more damage overthinking things and consequently breaking things that were otherwise fine.

If a trailer is pulled in the woods and no one knows did it really get towed? Legally is another matter and legal towing is a matter of if you get caught through any collisions, traffic violations, liability issues... you are screwed (not covered and personally liable). If its a full size Bronco I would look again on the door sticker as they are rated 3,340 to 4,500 lbs depending on model. I once took a deep dive into what gives any given vehicle its tow rating; sometimes its mechanical limitations (GCVWR, Engine, Brakes, way hitch mounts...) other times its the manufacturer not wanting to deal with the risk warrantying it, pay the fees, do the testing or product positioning against other models...

While skiing this past weekend in Newberry Springs with WetSet Ski Club I was finally able to get some Drone footage of different club members of all different ages 30's to 70's and abilities taking some passes including me at the end with the GoPro chesty and horizon lock. I hope you enjoy. *The best skier chase footage is the middle parts of the video.

I have a 2021 Senate Pro and love it for 32 MPH skiing; I had a 2021 Senate Lithium and the Pro was a huge upgrade. The pro returns more energy in a controlled way even at slower speeds. As for the 2020 s 2022 shape; there are some good threads on here discussing them.

@igkya I ran my rear boot with the screw out initially; what I found with the screw out is it created a pocket my heal could get stuck in during a release. It did not give me much additional Dorsiflexion anyway; I think the human body has lots of leverage in that motion and the screw is not much of a hinderance. I'm running them without any additional release system. I put the screw back in and run the BOA and Bungee in the rear quite loose; I actually like this better as it gives my rear foot more freedom to move in multiple directions. For me the boots fit so well the bungee and BOA on both front and back can be run much looser than older 100% soft material boots.

@lpskier their are likely many more capable production companies and individuals with the ability to capture the event as a post production than live webcast. Potentially one of these companies, organizations or groups is closer to the site and travel cost would be reduced. I would encourage you to contact a local college that offers video production as well. I would guess their are many smaller and/or more local video production service that could work well within your budget?

@lpskier I think it important to define a live webcast vs. a recorded live - post event video. I think for this event "live" may actually have less viewers than a post event video; considering most all participants could more easily and may prefer to watch once they were home. I have a degree in video production and work in video professionally; I would think a live recorded but post production would be less than half a live webcast and nearly the same value for the participants, fans and sponsors. It is probably important to try and capture nearly every pass in at least good enough definition and camera position that skiers could recognize themselves; most will probably just scroll to see themselves or the skiers they have a affinity to watch.

Watched almost the entire thing. Thank your TWBC! Tossed salad in the ski spray @Gloersen was wondering if this was effecting anything. Love the rear drone footage, but agree trying to follow skier was too much. If you had to take a shot every time Tony said "Wades World"? Would be cool if TWBC could cut to some pre done edits about the athletes, other venues, training, boat tech or anything to break up the visuals. Wade doing a great job on the doc but would be super classy to cut from live interview of athlete to short pre-packaged edits. More venue shots and wide establishing shots would help.

Have you tried a chiropractor? I didn't use to believe in chiropractors but a similar nagging back pain was cause for me to try anything. I think the right chiropractor can manipulate the skeleton and nervous system in a way no exercise, stretching or drugs can.

The post got me thinking and googling. Why do us boaters have to pay the Highway Use Tax on fuel used for boating? I am not a qualified tax preparer but possibly we are eligible for a refund? https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/lawguides/vol3/mvftl/mvftl-8101.html Has anyone explored this?

I have explored some products but price has kept me away. https://soloshot.com/ is top of the digital tracking head game but $899. Might as well buy the totally autonomous drone https://shop.skydio.com/ for 2k. The https://pivo.ai/ looks promising but its dependent on a phone closer to $150. Would love to see one of these tried out for slalom. It would be cool to put on the boat transom and set it and forget it.

I appreciate @ColeGiacopuzzi answer as it also applies well to longer lines and slower speeds. At my longer lines in the course friends (with good intent) would say "get as wide as possible' and this screwed me up. I would get too wide too early without enough glide speed, stalled out wider than 2-4-6. Turning in without enough speed would result in poor balance through the gates; I would be leaning back directly against the boat rather than gaining angle. For me concentrating on generating faster glide speed was much more important that "getting wide". With less whip acceleration during pull out at longer lines I think you spend less time gliding faster than the boat making pull out and timing difficult for different reasons than shorter lines.