Laz

Shock of shocks, Air Canada came through. It took almost three week and a bit of back and forth, but in the end they agreed and paid for a new ski. They did not agree to pay for a new skier. So it will be the old me on the new ski.

I mostly use a radar, soft roller bag. However, on this trip, we were traveling with 3 skis. All skis were also in a sock with fin protector. We are frequent fliers with AC and have been traveling with skis for 17 years with this being the first issue. Hopefully, they will take pitty on us.

Yes

First, I’m pleased that you spell vapour with a ‘I’. I would say the Pro Build does not have any advantages over the Senate until you are at 13m or shorter.

Look what happened to my 2024 Vapor Pro Build: Got to the hotel and saw this damage. I filed a report, sent lots of pictures. Now, I suppose, I’m at the mercy of the airline. Any other suggestions?

Here is the real link. 2007 Moomba Outback V Mark just bought a beautiful Malibu. So welcome, Mark to the world of direct drive ski boats. Now I can finally ski with you again!!

Alright. Mark and I bought our first ski boats together in 2007. I got a Moomba Outback and he got an Outback V. Both were great boats. They should make more like this. Very few bells and whistles, just very reliable. Mark’s boat is in great shape. It would be the perfect boat for a young family starting out in towed water sports.

The numbers are great and quality of the product keeps getting better. When does this become self-sustaining, or is it already?

I vaguely recall that there is a cable slalom course at the Orlando Watersports complex.

Thanks for the replies. I’ll give the fuel management system a try.

Hi all. 2023 Mastercraft here with < 30 hours. Fuel gauge said 35% yesterday morning which I think was somewhat accurate. Now keeps hovering around 95% to 100% with no fuel added. I have not been using the fuel management system. Any suggestions? I usually fill with jerry cans so it’s not usually completely full.

I skied my whole life (until age 37) behind I/O. The sport was fading from our lives until we had our first chance to ski behind a direct drive (and slalom course). It’s quite a different experience. I/O as better on rough lakes. Water can easily come over the bow on a direct drive. Hole shots are much worse on most I/O’s as they rarely are powered and propped like a DD The wakes are a bit worse, but also a bit different. Often harder and wider, but that depends on speed and rope length. DD track very well. If you are strong and heavy, you can easily fish-tale an I/O. That’s more of a factor in the course and less for open water. I believe I/O’s use less gas. DD are simpler boats and more reliable…most of the time. If you have young kids, it’s nice to not have the prop so close to the platform. +1 for DD. If it’s your first family boat, get something used. Then you will have spent less figuring out what you really like to do with it and can spend more on your inevitable second family boat! What is your budget? If you are Canadian, you could look at the new J-crafts being produced. I don’t know what they cost, but they have tiny wakes and are bigger than the OG J-crafts. @summerski

Also, I want to get a backup prop. Should I get the stock one or something different? Thanks.

My humble design: Help me get this boat, buy this one!

Shhh. That's the only way to tell a native hoser from non-native.

@drew 's lake is one of the best and Andrew Bergman is one of the best coaches... for all ages.

@Bruce_Butterfield Water Ski Costa Rica is still going strong!

@andre Originally was going to go minimallist. Then I spent quite a few hours in a friend's 2022 MC and I went maximalist!

@6balls I agree

@Kelvin It's a bit of a long story. It lost all compression in one of the cylinders which may have been related to something incorrectly done during winterization. In the end, I decided to get a new crate engine installed instead of a rebuild as our local experience with rebuilds have not been good. It cost more, but the boat is now like a new natuique and should last many more years.

For reasons that I'm finding hard to explain to my wife, I've ordered a Mastercraft. So time to sell my 2015 OB 6L 200 with 120 hours on a new engine.

@MattP I'm still coming to Atlanta. I haven't heard back. Please send DM. Thanks.

@CCPD3 Please explain. New prop, same as the old, but boat runs better?

@Andre A Prostar, if it actually arrives. Had a deposit down for 14 months so far.

2015 OB 6L with new engine here: