Edmund

@Ski_Dad I have a new, never used feather frame Radar HRT Boa boot that I was getting ready to post on ski-it-again. I bought it thinking it would fit my HO ski, but it doesn't. Send me a pm with an offer.

@swbca There are about five or six of us skiers who maintain an always up course on a small public lake (around 400 acres). Our course is tucked into a narrow cove all to itself with no houses. You are correct about possibly losing a buoy a day on busy days. Other things we experience are wave runners using it as an obstacle course, buoys used as mooring ties by day boaters, and anchors being dragged across cables and arms causing a bend in the course that must then be straightened. Also, anytime of the day, from dawn to dusk, a fisherman could be in the middle of the course thinking it is a good fish attractor. Overall, is it worth it? Yes, even with the issues that come with it. Try it for a summer and see how it goes. It may not be too bad. We were very lucky this past summer because we did not lose hardly any buoys, so you may have good luck with yours.

Thanks @Jody_Seal I was never quite sure I understood it. Clears things up for me.

@tbarile Is the horsepower actually 290 as listed on ski-it-again? A lot of those were 310 hp.

The photo below is from a 2007 SN 196. Were metal plates attached to the hulls on all of the 2007s, or were they a manufacturer option or aftermarket option? What exactly do the metal plates accomplish? Lift the hull a bit while underway to flatten the wakes, or flatten the table for tricking? Did they have the intended effect? Just curious. I know the 2008s could have the hydrogate lever (slalom/trick-jump) which (I am guessing) smooths the table for tricks. Thanks.

There is a very good article titled "100 Years of Water Skiing" in the current July/August 2022 edition of BoatU.S. Magazine. Lots of water skiing photos plus a timeline of water ski events, products, and people. It even has photos of Elvis and Johnny Carson skiing, and Johnny is skiing on two guys, not two water skis, at Cypress Gardens.

@astrick That looks like the correct cable, but I always call or e-mail to verify parts like this before they are shipped. You had a couple of more posts with more details on how to replace the steering cable. My boat is a BB like yours. Remove every panel you can find and you will have more room. I did not, however, have to loosen the fuel tank straps to replace the cable; maybe I will to grease the rudder. I just checked my e-mail orders and it has been almost nine years since I replaced my cable. I thought it was just a few years ago. Either time is flying since I am having so much fun, or I am losing my mind because I am getting old (probably the latter). Good luck, and be certain to perform a slow test drive afterwards; spin the steering wheel all the way around from one direction to the other multiple times to check out your handiwork.

@astrick If it is like my 1998 (which I think it is), you do not need to remove the gas tank. Take out the middle floor panel and you will have access to the rudder connection with a bit of a reach. Take several photos of the rudder/steering cable connection before you start and make a detailed note of exactly how the existing connection is set up. I did not take photos, and on the slow test drive, mine would lock into turning only one direction. (I am glad it was a slow test drive. :o) Had to readjust the connection and now it is fine. If you are unsure, then have a boat mechanic do it. I don't know what the going rate is for a steering cable replacement.

@Such_a_brett I wholeheartedly agree with @swbca to preemptively get the music issue under control before it becomes a problem. I have a lakefront cabin on a narrow public lake where the distance to the other shore across from me is at most 500 ft; so boats frequently pass within 100 ft (sometime even 50 ft) of my dock. Loud music is somewhat common on weekends here along with the occasional vulgar lyrics. Sometimes I can hear the music coming up the lake before I hear the engine sound. You did mention prohibiting "no explicit lyrics" which can be a matter of opinion, especially these days. And @swbca also raises a good about decibels; how will you measure them? Stating that "the riders cannot discern the words while moving" may be difficult to enforce as well. Looks like you have a great set of plans for your development, and I would not want the experience ruined by people turning up the volume on your club boats. I wish you the best of luck. If I lived in your area, I sure would be interested.

I started this thread and ended up buying the lift @skierjp and @NameUnavailable mention: Aluminum Boat Cradles. This summer I even bought and installed another one in my second slip.

@sgregg @ski6jones What is a ballpark figure for the upgrade cost?

@sgregg That looks great. Wish I had it in my '98 SNOB.

@jpattigr Nautique Parts has some 196 pads. They don't say "Nautique" but they look great.

I agree with @BraceMaker Malibu with wedge and a pontoon boat. Lots of fun with the amount of money spent.

Does anyone drain the transmission fluid cooler? I do every year. There is a drain plug on the cooler itself of my GT-40.