skiray

After reading the different how to make Nationals great threads, it's my conclusion that we are screwed. We love the sport and we can't agree. If we could, what makes you think USAWS gives a rip. Back in the day, you got your EP and you skied Nationals(I think). EP had privileges. Now you have to be a level 8. No privileges. Go to Nationals to be shuffled around like sheep for one round of skiing. Where are the privileges? Some want it to be more prestigious. I can see that but 1,000's of spectators is a pipe dream for Nationals. I agree that all of the pro stops should be in major markets. The question is, major market for what? Numbers of spectators or potential skiers? Besides, the average spectator can't tell the difference in me and @Horton 's skiing. I know, we use to take different friends to the Masters every year. Same thing no matter how much you explain it. All you get is "fun atmosphere" (sitting with Pros) but they never "get it". Most just like jump and bikinis. Something needs to be done to bridge the gap. I personally think the presentation sucks. We need better/different camera angles or something that translates to a non-skier. My plan / 2 cents for Nationals: 1. Make State the qualifier for Nationals. Forget the level stuff. Take the top 20 national scores from State tournaments. Take as many as 40 in each division. So if the 20th highest score for M3 is 5@39, you make that the cut off. Take up to 40 total in case you have multiple skiers with State scores of 5@39. So, you want to ski Nationals, you have to ski state. No need to spend $$ to go to Regionals. If your State tournament sucks, get more active in your state... 2. Make Nationals about the skiers. Charge a couple of bucks on every entry fee all year long to support National skiers. Offset their entry fee. Provide National SWAG. Make it about the skiers... 3. Make Regionals for the rest of us. Use the stupid level stuff for qualifications. (I prefer an absolute cutoff like 84 buoys that doesn't move during the ski year) Provide multiple rounds for at least one event. 4. Have big parties at all of them. Make it about the skiers. 5. Bring back some privileges. If you ski Nationals, you should get some real love from somebody. If you ski Regionals, maybe you get some love just not as much as the Nationals skier. We participate in one of the most expensive sports on the planet. Our most prestigious non-pro tournament has zero financial incentives. Why? It's hard to see the prestige in going when I get through paying the entry fee, buying the plane ticket, booking the hotel and rental car and try to find something non-fast food to eat for every meal. Make it about the skier. Without the skier, we don't have anything.

@skierjp‌ - I took the NADA suggested value for the year it sold as new and escalated it to 2015. It's not what they sell for today. Just trying to show what we were paying back in the day in 2015$. I didn't know a better way to compare them. First glance, it looks like the technological advances costs have outpaced inflation. The real question I wonder is, is it worth it?

Call Tim his contact info is at http://www.inboardsolutionsllc.com/Inboard_Solutions/Inboard_Solutions.html Or @Jody_Seal‌ Those are your two best resources

I took the NADA base boat values and used an inflation calculator to escalate to 2015. I'm sure there could be errors, but if you could buy any new (as sold in model year for options) which is the best value?

Took the family to the Austin, TX show. It was a great time. I'm in Atlanta, GA for business so I went to the show there. MC Prostar same options about $5k less. This time I spent some time in the boat since I had plenty of time. The boat is incredible. I may be in trouble...

@thager - 15 minutes isn't that bad a trade. I've pursued it for much longer times for the same 2.5 minutes. Much like the perfect 16.95 second pass, regardless the work prior, it's always worth it. (That's good stuff, if she reads this I may get another 2.5..)

@oldjeep‌ - no need. We may ski next week. I drain it when it goes below 28 or if it is below 32 for extended periods. I do add antifreeze if it looks like it's going to be that way for a while. VTX - totally different job.

You talking about me or my wife...

This is for southern folks... I doubt the guys who's lakes freeze will think this was a real challenge. The guys up north can probably do this in 5 flat. My wife bet me I couldn't winterize our TXI in less than 15 minutes. There was significant incentive. Timer would be ran door to door. I got to gather my tools inside before. I opened the door, ran to the boat house, stripped the cover back and went to work. Manifolds - done, heater hose - disconnected, impeller hose - done, main water pump - done, broke both knock sensor wiring clips - crap I forgot a wrench. Ran to the house screaming timeout I'm inside. Got the wrench, door opens, timer starts back. Ran back to the boat house. At this point, I'm sweating like a... (You fill this in)... In spite of it being 33 degrees. Swing the knock sensor off. Remove block plugs - done. Quick check - 2 in the back, 2 in the middle, 2 up front. Need to blow out heater coil. Blow like there is no tomorrow. Ok, now I'm sweating, dizzy and in my boat that's swinging in the boat lift. Close the motor cover, sling the cover back over the back and clip into place. Start running to the house, loose one Croc on pier. Loose the other one jumping from the pier. Stumble up the porch and fall into the house. Boom chicka bow wow... Or for my country friends: Boom chicken brown cow. Finally, this cold weather pays off!

Looks like same price as 5L but 135 lbs less. http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2014/07/new-mercruiser-4-5l-v6-promises-v8-performance/ I'm reading about boat engines at 22:35. Bring on spring!

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/01/06/mercury-marine-introduces-new-engine-built-just-for-boats/ I wonder how this translates to $$

My 2 cents - Oil prices get blamed for raising prices, not lowering them. Price deflation is not a consideration for boat manufacturers due to oil prices. Oil prices will come back. "Everyone" is against low prices. Big oil, oil employees / support organizations, oil producing countries, environmentalists... The list goes on.

I agree, the math doesn't work for CC. It is winter, this won't be the last time I want something I can't have.

@ShaneH‌ - do you think a limited run of 196's priced at a CB 200 wouldn't sell? The sadle bags don't work for me. The MC design seems much better. We had a 196 and were in the market for a 200. We didn't fit. We are in a TXI today. I like the 196 better than the 200. A limited run would be awesome. Before we were skiing from the boat launch. Today we live on the lake and 196 would be great. I'm hopeful CC will go away from the saddle bags on the new hull. If so, then I will take back my limited run 196 request and make a run at a CB 200.

@6balls‌ - I totally agree