morfoot

Been a Nautique owner for 23 years and love all three of them. Wondered for a long time why Nautique hadn’t pursued and signed Regina years ago. Should be very interesting to see tournaments with Whit and Regina battling it out being teammates. Congrats Regina and Nautique.

Larry, since Jim has been to Coble ski school then he should remember some of the tips that she teaches at her ski school. Anyone that wants to ski the course on our lake but has never done so. I refer them to this video. April does a FANTASTIC job in explaining basic technic, and even "changing" your course into a mini course. I love how she explains that the buoy is NOT where you start your turn but where you COMPLETE your turn. The simple wipe explanation and demonstration of where to ski is very helpful and may help Jim drastically along with ALL the previous posts from more experienced Ballers here. As with most anything, skiing with those who are better than you is a valuable asset and will truly help improve your own skiing. April explains the goal and skiing the "Mini course" at about 30:00......

Sad thing is that if you google greatest female athletes. Her, nor any other female water skier in history of the sport comes up. Lindsey, Danica and Michelle Kwan are there but not a single female waterskier. C'mon man give me a friggin break. How many of those ladies won a major professional tournament/event 100 days after giving birth? Maybe Chris Evert? No respect for waterski athletes. Congratulations Jacinta on a fabulous and wonderful career. I had the pleasure of witnessing every US Masters title you won in person. Enjoy your retirement young lady and your future induction into the Hall of Fame. You truly are a legend!

Free skied last Sunday with air temps at 69 and water temps at 53. It was definitely a wetsuit Wooooooo after that water came trickling down your back. Couple of hard cuts and I was like yep, just like riding a bike. Shoulda eased up a bit and knocked off a bit more rust as I too went out the front. Nothing hurt but pride. Did officially convert a Wake Surfer this week to a Slalom Skier. He has been running the course with us neighbors in 2023 and caught the bug. His Moomba Surf Machine is on the market and he is the proud owner of a 2010 SN 200. Time change is now in effect and Moomba is almost done so here’s to Ski Season 2024!!!

No, but I did repurpose one!!

I witnessed Chuck getting in a set this past weekend!

Living on Lake Lanier which is north of ATL for almost 4 years now I have seen a so much in the time that I have lived there than in the 30+ years I have been an avid watersports enthusiast. Georgia does not require a boating license for anyone born before 1998. Those born after 98 have to take an online boating course which I assume is attached to your DL if pulled over by LEO. In my time as a FT LakeLife resident, I would love to see a Marine DL required by the state. I know some states have them and I wonder for those that have them do they educate Captains about etiquette when it comes to surfing? Some surfers have it but in my experience most don't. I just don't get it. Have any of you in states that require a marine license seen any difference in maritime courtesy?? Lanier is a huge lake and when I was house hunting, I wanted a home on open water so that I could just free ski right off the dock. I live in a quiet cove where skiing isn't allowed because of the close proximity to a marina and because our cove is narrow. Now that I've been there awhile, I'm glad I'm not. I've made lots of fellow LakeLife dwellers and several have a place on the main channel. They are looking to move to a quiet cove because they cannot simply enjoy their dock on the weekends. The dock is rocking and rolling from the constant pounding from surf barges and 45' yachts motoring down the lake. One has a X30 which he loves as he is a surfer and his daughters enjoy it too. When he goes he surfs in Open water on the main body of the lake. It's a double-edged sword in his case. He does have serious dock maintenance at least once a year from the beating his dock takes. The boat is on a hydrahoist so it doesn't get damaged from the tidal waves sent his way Fri-Sun. Its a problem for us all as it has been mentioned here. Surf boats out sell ski boats by 10-1 ratio if not more regardless of brand. I've seen lots of new surfboats from the all barge mfg's but have NOT seen a single NEW ski boat from any of the 3 that still make them. Maybe because they're all on private lakes. It's something we all large lake skiers have to deal with but I do think education is the key and we try to explain it to all the thurfers we talk too. Some are understanding and work with us but many are just screw you bro. We're surfing and if you don't like it, ski somewhere else. Shoreline trees are falling over everywhere and the ACOE and the Lanier Homeowners Association are sarting to put rip-rap around many of the islands to prevent more erosion from the huge waves from boats and constant weekend traffic. Many dwellers simply don't go out on the water weekends. Let the Weekend Warriors have it. You're safer that way.

200' rule has already been passed in Georgia. Law went into effect this past July. haven't seen it truly enforced though. Many surfers just dont give a rats about anyone but themselves. Our course is up M-F in "Skier Cove" and I've had many a surf boat just come in and start Surfing it up even if a skier is in the course or getting ready for another pass. On the weekends you'll have 2-3 Surf boats in this cove which is why we drop Friday morning. They also apparently changed the law that a rider must have a CGA vest on. 100' rule for other watersports and Skiers only require floatation as Ski Belt's are still legal in GA.. Here's the Law: Section 52-7-13.1 - Limitation on wakeboarding or wakesurfing (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, no person shall engage in wakesurfing or wakeboarding upon waters of this state: (1) Between sunset and sunrise; (2) Within 200 feet of any moored vessel; any wharf, dock, pier, piling, or bridge structure or abutment; or any shoreline adjacent to a full-time or part-time residence, public park, public beach, public swimming area, marina, restaurant, or other public use area; or (3) When surfing a wake or being towed on a board, without wearing a personal flotation device. (b) This Code section shall not apply to: (1) A regatta, boat race, marine parade, tournament, or exhibition for which the commissioner has granted a marine event permit pursuant to Code Section 52-7-19; or (2) Intracoastal waterways, rivers, or private lakes.

Gland nut packing seal is gonna be 1/4" on Nauti's after 2002 according to Nautique Parts. You can order new ones at Nautiqueparts.com I'm surprised a 2017 doesn't have a dripless system installed as OEM but maybe that was only an option?

Glad its not just me.

Posted this on the forums here on BOS shortly after a settlement was reached as reported by the AJC.

I started my girls on kneeboards when they were 5 & 7 back in the late 90's Before the internet really took hold and forums were a good place for advice. Wanted them both to enjoy the ski experience but didn't want to force it for the reasons already mentioned. They eventually got it down even though they couldn't cross the wake as they simply didn't have the weight or strength to go over the "wall" behind the 88SN. They easily transitioned to wakeboarding after a couple years and now have tackled slalom off the boom first, then long line. The Boom is a fantastic teaching aid and wished I had bought one when they were preteens. They're in their 20's now but still love being pulled behind the Nauti. You're on the right track along with feedback from the other dads and grandads here. One of the guys I ski with got his 5-year-old grandson up on a ski skimmer so that too may be worth an investment. Best of luck getting your little man up on the water.

Watched it during lunch. Great Job TWBC. Share the hell out of it on Social Media. Couldn't click the skip the advertisements fast enough! Thanks Tony and friends!!!

Pick up the phone and call them. I have a 2015 Radar Graphite Vapor that lost 2 of the Stainless Allen head screws on the fin. Couldn't find replacement set screws anywhere and couldn't order them from RADAR hence the phone call. Those guy's said they weren't sure which fin set up I had as they changed the fin design mid year and didn't know which one I had so they just sent me a new fin setup free of charge. I offered to pay for it and the cost of the ride but in typical Washington fashion..." Hey man No worries, What's your address?" I got it a couple days later and I live on the east coast. THAT is customer service!!! So Thank you RADAR SKIS!!!!

Guess it depends on who you ask. Some would say yes and others will say no. Those of us who love the sport (which is why we're here in the first place) will tune in to watch if we have nothing else going on and some will make a point to do so. As a masters attendee since 94, I love going. Nothing beats seeing a tournament in person. TWBC is the next best thing for those of us who can't be there first hand. Like ALPJr stated. The wonderful thing about it all is if we didn't see it live streamed, then we can watch it at our leisure. I know I did with the recent tournament. Me personally, I enjoy watching all the skiers and try to break down what each individual does the same and what they do different. They each have their own style so with each pass as a beginner course skier I soak it all in and try to emulate and learn from watching them. It's no different than a 4 hour NFL or NCAA Football game or MLB. As for myself, I'll take watching Pro Skiing over MLB or the NBA any day of the week. I think it's fine just the way it is.

I gotta Agree with RAWski on this one. The weekend totally sucked. I got the chance to not only chat with Regina shortly after nailed the #1 seed for Sunday and how she totally forgot to put on her "heater shirt" shirt because she was so fired up getting ready for her ski to chatting with Nate on Sunday after the opening ceremonies. He took the time to sign autographs and take pics with folks on the beach and we continued our chat about how he ran 39.5 in such crappy conditions (which I saw from the pavillion) and his personal goal is to break Andy's record. I didn't want to keep him too long as I knew he needed to start focusing on his runs. What a finish and with #7 he's halfway there to tying the GOAT. Then to cap off the weekend on finals day I witnessed and experienced something you'll never see in in other sport. JT and Will towed the ramp to the beach and just the two of them starting the disassembling process. WTH??? That's almost the equivalent of Peyton and Eli taking down the goal posts after the superbowl. I walked over and asked them if they could use a hand and they said " Sure, That would be great!" got the chance to meet and help both these guys take down the jump ramp. Holy crap!!!!! I've helped Jody do it a few times but didn't expect two Masters champions to be tearing it apart. Got as far as we could. They shook my hand and said thanks for the help then off they went. Chatted with other legends of the sport all weekend, nice chat with Tyler Boyd and the nice change by the addition of Jerrod in the booth. Been going since about 94. This year was an awful experience.

I stepped away from Slalom skiing back in the 90's and got into wakeboarding as the craze started took off. Started attending the masters regularly because of wakeboarding but was still of awe of stars in all disciplines. Bought my 88' SN in 2001 because of it. Because of my involvement with CCFan and connections with CC I found out that the SN I bought was a towboat in the 88' masters. Andy won #5 that year. Was asked by Nautique to bring it back in 2010 when the SN 200 was introduced. Asked Andy who was at his motorcoach/booth if he'd come autograph the boat up the hill and he said he'd be honored and happy to do it but he had to ski first but would after doing so. I walked to the pavilion and watched him rip that course apart having been retired for 6 years. Holy Crap!!😮The man is 48 and is still shredding like that??? I think I need to put down the wakeboard pick up a slalom ski again. I've never looked back. That adrenaline rush that I got from boarding was replaced by a tapered 1x6 going 34MPH. I had seen Andy several times and every masters before he passed. I wanted to walk up to him and thank him for getting back on a slalom again. I never did as every time I saw him he was engaged with other fans or skiers talking it up or whatever and I didn't want to bother him. He passed before I could ever personally thank him for drawing me back into a sport I can't get enough of. I wrote Deena a letter via FB to let her know about the boat and how Andy signed it for me (shoulda got her autograph too) and that because of her Husband, I'm back on a ski and loving every chance I get to ski. @mike_mapple...I don't know if your mom shared this with you but your Dad was my hero and I still to this day when I ski behind that 88' I thank him for getting me back on a slalom ski. Slalom skiing will live forever because of the Andys, Wades, Will's, Nates Freddies, Kristi's, Reginas and etc.

Bottom line is that is up to ALL of us that do Slalom to encourage, entice and invite others to do it. I've skied for over 45 years with the last 3 being able to do so everyday living on the largest lake here in Ga. Truly introduced to course skiing since I moved to the lake when we raise it up. My swerving has drastically improved by learning to ski the course and being fortunate to have my neighbors who are better skiers than I coach me up. That being said I've had a couple of neighbors who see us go out almost every day want to be a part of it. One wants us to teach his kids to ski and another neighbor, caught the bug and bought an Omni over the winter to start skiing with us after going with me just once. His wife even gave him the nod to purchase a competition Ski boat to add to the Moomba Surf boat he already has. Other neighbors have mentioned going because they used to ski back in the day but claim they are too old. "Horse Hockey!!!" That's just an excuse! You do realize the guys who you see going out are in their 50's and 60's running 34 mph. We public lake swervers may have a slight advantage over those who live on a private course or lake just because there is more exposure. We have to talk it up and show it up to those who may not have ever seen it. I don't think it's DYING it's just not growing as fast as we'd like it too. Will we ever see back to it's hey day in the 80's and 90's? Probably not but we've got to promote it more than the Pro's do.

So apparently some of you did not listen to @Luzz WSP episodes with JT. Matteo had a long discussion with JT part 2 on the story that he, Zack Warden and Will Asher spent a few days fixing the course in Robin Lake in the middle of winter. 7mil wetsuits in 30'F air temps and spent DAYS shooting, mapping and installing a new course. It was a great podcast and I walked away from it with even more respect for those 2 guys. Give it a listen if you haven't, so those that are bashing the organizers in not trying to make improvements to the event are living in glass houses themselves and throwing rocks at others. Especially those who are bashing it and have NEVER been there. Granted it's not the best skiing conditions as the all the other tour stops but it is the one of the oldest tournaments around if not the oldest. Using the philosophy of some of you then I guess The Packers should build a new stadium and toss out Lambeau field because its outdated and old school. Same goes for the Cubs and Wrigley Field.

So as a masters regular I always get there early enough to claim my spot at perpendicular to the start gate to the right of the pavilion. I remember the whole thing like it happened yesterday as I was in the water to be closer to the action. The crowd was pumped on Freddies 39.5 pass. To me and everyone on the beach, and in the water he pulled out an freaking insane run. Looked to me like he got it and as the video shows when he pumped his fists out the gate, the crowd went nuts. We impatiently waited the score and all the shoreline judges agreed that he got it. The long wait before the decision was made, the shoreline folks we hollering ...Give him a Re-ride!!! If they were that unsure then that should've been the ruling IMHO. I don't tournament ski so I don't know what the rule is but seemed the best answer. I did see a video somewhere that someone posted of Freddies response to the challenge while he was on the pavilion and he was going ballistic. Emotions were high obviously on his part and maybe some expletives were said but I only saw it once so I cannot confirm it. All that being said I think it truly sux that he is banned for this year. I'm a Nautique guy but I do love to watch him ski along with all the other Athletes who are not Sponsored by Nautique. I love the sport PERIOD! To those of you not going because Freddie won't be there is a disservice to the sport. You go because its in your blood and love watching the pros do their thing. I can only hope that politics is not the issue with this incident and I'm still bothered about the whole Jacinta thing. I will be there as usual in my same spot so if you're there please come down and say hello. As for Freddie I wish him all the best and will continue to watch in awe of the man carve it up at the rest of the tour stops.

Had the same issue with my 99 SN a couple weeks ago. Bought the boat in Dec 21' Put 125hrs on it last year. NO issues. Was boating on the St. Johns River Easter week and temp hit about 205'F. Engine light on. Checked all hose connections and got maybe a qtr turn on each hose clamp. Still ran hot. Changed impeller at the Lunch destination as I figured it was just tired. All blades were there and it was in decent shape but changed it anyway. Still ran about 190'F. Got it back to GA and ordered a Thermostat from NP. Pulled the housing to change the Stat and it looked a little tired(corroded) probably okay but changed it anyway. Further investigation revealed two pieces of impeller blades stuck in the bypass section of the housing. They were tan in color and obviously a few impeller changes ago before I owned the boat. Go Figure. @seveet... Yep pump 180' out will definitely make it run a weeeeee bit hotter.

Learned to drive a boat that was an I/O in the 80's and taught to ALWAYS have a hand on the throttle even though I didn't need to. Why would I need to do that? The throttle stays put wherever I leave it? ....... SAFETY young man. You never know when you'll need to throttle back in case of rough water, obstacles, other boats or whatever. A split second can ruin or save the day. Always, ALways, ALWAYS keep your hand on the throttle. That has been and will always be the case when I'm driving a boat on fresh water.

Throwing this up as I did this yesterday on my 99’ SN. Seeing as there are usually 3 of us going out for a ski in mine or my neighbors 02 SN and floor space is quickly used up. I used a couple of old Life Jacket straps from worn out/retired jackets cause I knew they’d come in handy for something. Used the gunnel support fiber glassed in and ran the strap through. At least my ski is up off the floor. Might work on other brands as well but for those wanting to free up what little space we have then here’s an idea.

....your personal fleet of boats are all inboards that have a ski pylon because EVERYONE needs a spare just in case your primary tow boat goes down.

Late to the game on this one but I'll take 3 if you got any left.