vernonreeve

2003 Malibu Response LXI

@skibrain Did your buddy like the FA system. Was the rooster tail noticeable to the skier and/or performance?

@BraceMaker I haven't looked in our "new to us" 2003 Response LXI yet, but the 2000 Response didn't have a battery isolater switch. It might be the drop in voltage when starting the engine is causing it to think it shut off. Maybe needs a relay? Or maybe the yellow wire is going through the ignition. Lots of things to play with after some of my other projects are done.

I've been thinking about connecting the stereo directly to the battery to prevent the Bluetooth from disconnecting when I turn the ignition switch on/off. Maybe they did the same, and your stereo is still on?

When my elbow starts to hurt, it's always when I keep my arms bent slightly crossing the wakes. If I let my arms extend nice and straight, letting my biceps relax while crossing the wakes, the elbow pain goes away.

@Corne , for an answer to your question "can I ski at a lower speed with a bigger ski?" the answer is yes. Longer and/or wider ski's work better for slower speeds. They ride higher on the water and don't slow down as much in the turns as skinnier skis. That's why they designed the Senate to be a little wider because it's intended for a max of 34mph.

Maximum Effort

@Zman I started keeping my elbow in, which helped a lot, and then I saw the Terry Winter sample lesson posted here recently showing to also keep my hands down on my waist through the transition, which helped even more.

Gone are the days of kidding about someone being given a slower time than you:)

On a separate semi-related note: If you loosen those 4 nuts, you can double check to be sure your shaft is still aligned by checking the gap where the plates meet with a feeler gauge. Turns out the engine tends to settle in its mounts, causing downward pressure on the Cutlass bearing in the strut the shaft passes through. That bearing would probably last forever if the shaft was aligned, but ours was oval shaped and almost wore through, so we had to replace that bearing and get the engine realigned.

They say Alloy is more forgiving, but I went from 2015 Alloy to 2017 Graphite, and found the graphite to be lighter, easier to control, and just as forgiving. Makes me want to try the Lithium, but can't justify the price increase. Plus I'm really, really liking the Graphite:)

I'm pretty sure the current adapter attaches to the mainline where the gate diamond is. Can't remember exactly where it attaches. Then it goes out to the end of the arm on the 1 ball, then the line goes straight down river to the end of the arm on the 3 ball, then 5 ball. Another line goes from the gate diamond center line to the 2 ball, then to the 4 ball, then to the 6. Same concept as what @BrennanKMN is describing to hold the arms square. But different rope path.

Definitely a rocking chair.

My 2017 Senate Graphite was a huge improvement over the 2015 Senate Alloy. Lighter, more responsive, more stable, easier to deep water start on. And I started running 32mph consistently and 34mph on my first try for the first time ever last summer. After that I couldn't run 34mph again, but at least I know I can do it if the stars all line up:) Wish we had a longer season here in Montana. Sucks to start over every spring. But I'd also hate to give up snow skiing.

Good to know, thanks everyone.