@Horton It looks like your weather link is for Florida rather than Australia. Link for the weather in Melbourne Australia https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/au/melbourne
As @buechsr mentioned the tech is here now to do what 90% of us need a ski boat to do and the battery technology is increasing FAST. There will very soon be 100 kWh batteries that only weigh around 600 lbs and will charge from 20 to 80% in 15 minutes or less. The future is bright!
@skibrain has the best solution and what I have heard works best, use your normal gloves or one size bigger with blue nitrile gloves under them. Also use a cooler full or hot water.
I think it is unnecessary for most events since TWBC already allows viewers to comment on their live YouTube stream. If there are events (Moomba, Masters, other) that are lived streamed without a place to comment then it would be a good idea.
@mike_mapple That is/was the plan with my current Camaro Blacktec Zero but I'm getting cold feet worried that if I cut it just below the knee it will make the seams weak and they will start to split. From the factory Camaro uses a little patch of material at the bottom of the seam that is glued on the inside to strengthen the seam and prevent it from splitting.
I agree with @h2oSkiJunkie that the S-Lines X-Series is the best rope currently on the market. I started using the X-Series mid summer, before that I was using Masterline for 5+ years, before that I used In-Tow.